Recommended for ages 10-14*

*In the freestyle/freeskiing program, we group athletes more by skill than by age. If you're in a unique position or unsure what to register for, please contact the program director and we'll figure out the best option.

The Development Team is for the skier ready to move up from Intro (or another intermediate-based ski program), but who isn't sure if they want to choose the moguls or the terrain park. Here, we do it all! Skiers will learn how to properly use a transceiver and hike the ridge. They'll spend time in the terrain park and in the moguls, catching air off of every little jump they discover. Have fun shredding, while building the ski skills that will allow you to ski with the BSF Freestyle or Freeskiing Competitive or Full-Time teams in the future.

Fall dryland: Join us in October, as your schedule allows. We play games and work on conditioning to prepare us for ski season and to spend time with the team.

Optional camps: Trampoline and water ramp camps are a fun opportunity to learn new tricks in a safe environment before transferring them to snow.

BSF coaches are U.S. Ski & Snowboard certified.

‍

COMPETITIONS

Skiers will have the chance to participate in BSF's alpine/freestyle Jamborees, as well as Bridger Bowl community events, if they wish.

*Most Devo Team athletes do not travel at this stage.

‍

1 day a week: $700 early bird ($850 after 11/15)

2 days a week: $1,070 early bird ($1,220 after 11/15)

3 days a week: $1,400 early bird ($1,550 after 11/15)

‍

SCHEDULE

FALL Dryland September 27 - October 25, 2021

(optional or come as you can)

M: 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. at Bogert Park

F: 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. at Bogert Park

‍

FALL TRAMPOLINE CAMPS 

(Optional. Choose one or both sessions. To reduce group size, we have created two time slots for each session. You will choose Slot A or Slot B at registration.)

Session 1: September 1-23, 2021

Session 2: September 28 - October 20, 2021

4:15 - 5:30 p.m. at a private residence in Bozeman

‍

WINTER December 11 - March 6

WE: 1 - 4 p.m. at Bridger Bowl (3-day a week group)

SA: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Bridger Bowl

SU: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Bridger Bowl

‍

• U.S. Ski & Snowboard or IFSA license (optional - needed if competing in a U.S. Ski & Snowboard, USASA, or IFSA event during competition season)
• Bridger Bowl ski pass
• Individual competition fees (dependent on how much skier competes)
• Travel costs (dependent on amount of individual travel; most Devo skiers don't travel)
• Coaching travel expenses for competitions and camps (also dependent on participation)
• Summer dryland training (optional)
• Summer trampoline sessions (optional)
• Thanksgiving & Holiday Camps (optional)
• Team apparel (optional)

‍

‍

Payment options:

At checkout, you can choose:

• credit card (pay in full)*
• payment plan*
• eCheck (bank transfer)
  

*See fees for credit card transactions below.

Payment Plans

Programs that cost $1500 and below must be paid in full at the time of registration.

Programs that cost more than $1500 are eligible for a payment plan (or they can be paid in full).

(*If you have extenuating circumstances, please contact us.)

How the payment plan works: When checking out in SkiClub Pro (our registration system) choose "payment plan." BSF will call you to set up four monthly credit card payments. Payments post on the 1st of each month.

Credit card fees:

There will now be a 3% credit card processing fee added to payments paid by credit card. However, note you also have the option of paying via electronic bank transfer for no fee. Why? Last year BSF paid nearly $40,000 in credit card processing fees. That's money we have to fundraise. This change will allow us to put fundraising dollars to better use in your programs.

‍

‍

BSF offers a generous scholarship and financial aid program. Applications are due mid-October each year.

Please note: If you need assistance, apply for it! These funds are meant to keep kids skiing. Applications are confidential, and we take into account all your circumstances, not just taxable income. (Too often, we see families assume they make too much money to qualify for help, and yet they are considering limiting participation in a program because of the cost. Apply! )

‍

EMAIL

When you register for the program, you will be added to an email list. Your coaches will send weekly emails with the full schedule, important notes, and info for parents. Last-minute changes may also be emailed. (It’s important that you do not unsubscribe to any BSF emails, as this is our main mode of communication in the winter.) If for some reason, you are not receiving emails from us, let us know!

Team Reach App:

We also use the Team Reach app, for schedules and last-minute communications.

‍

VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS FOR EACH FAMILY

• Intro Programs: 1 to 3 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $75 - $225) 
• Devo Programs: 3 to 5 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $225 - $375)
• Comp Programs: 5 to 7 volunteer sessions (or a donation of $375 to $525) 
  

(Suggested donation calculated based on an average volunteer session of 3 hours and the industry standard value of volunteer time ($25/hour).)

One of the ways BSF keeps program fees lower is through volunteer hours. Without your volunteer hours, we would need to use additional paid staff to fill the void; this would increase program costs significantly, which would also make it more difficult for some families to afford BSF. When only a small percentage of BSF parents take on the brunt of volunteer hours, it leads to volunteer burnout.

We have openings for help at practices, organizing ski and fundraising events, helping at the events themselves, as well as trail work and volunteering for our community trails. We encourage you to volunteer for ANY program--Nordic, Alpine, Freestyle, or trails. If you have a specific skill set you think would be helpful, please let us know. There are always little things we need, from photography, to database entry, to hanging up posters around town. 

We highly encourage BSF athletes to volunteer as well, not just parents!

We post signup sheets and volunteer needs throughout the year at: https://www.bridgerskifoundation.org/about/volunteers 

EQUIPMENT

SKIS: one pair of all-mountain skis

BOOTS: Proper boot fit with soft, even, forward flex for ankle movement to facilitate a balanced, athletic stance.

Helmet: required

Rescue Beacon: Given the terrain and requirements for certain areas at Bridger Bowl, rescue beacon and confidence in its use is recommended for most Intro Devo participants.

WHERE TO BUY EQUIPMENT

Since skiing is not an inexpensive sport to participate in, we make every effort to help parents and athletes secure gear in a variety of ways. BSF coaches will be available at all swaps to help answer questions.

• Team night at Round House & Chalet is always the second week in November, with a discount for athletes and parents.
• Local retailers or online. (Your BSF membership gets you discounts at several local shops.) Also, keep your eyes out for the team BSF emails—retailers will sponsor team nights with discounts.
  
• The Ski Swap, held each November at the Fairgrounds. Thousands of items. (It’s also one of BSF’s biggest fundraisers.) BSF members get in an hour early. If you volunteer at the event, you get in even earlier!

‍

BASE-LINE CONCUSSION TESTING

Baseline concussion testing recommended but not required. In the event an athlete does have a head injury, having baseline testing results on file allows your doctor to evaluate the injury and more accurately determine when an athlete can return to activity. Click here for info.

‍

Bozeman kids are a hardy bunch, but we will cancel a session if temperatures are extreme--especially if paired with wind. Whenever possible, an email or TeamReach message will be sent out notifying everyone as soon as it is determined to be too cold to train.

Your best bet is to always bring lots of warm layers; weather changes quickly.

‍

Please make yourself familiar with our policies, the BSF Athlete & Parent Handbook, and other important information on the Resources Page.

BSF Newsletters contain regular "Parent Corner" articles to help you navigate the parent/athlete dynamic.

Intermountain Division (IMD) License

U.S. Ski & Snowboard License

FIS License

‍

‍

There’s a bigger picture to what BSF teaches skiers, when and why. BSF’s programs are consistent with U.S. Ski & Snowboard's Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Systems.

What does that mean? We’re not focused on short-term success—and the hazards (and burnout) that often come with it. Instead, we follow LTAD plans that are individualized and based on science to make sure your child can maximize their long-term potential as a skier (should they wish to do so) and their enjoyment in the sport. We take into account a child’s development physiologically, cognitively and socially, as well as their experience skiing.

This makes it easy for your child to progress through our programs—from Intro, to the Development Teams, to the competitive teams, and even on to skiing as an adult Masters athlete.

View the most up-to-date LTAD from U.S. Ski & Snowboard HERE.

To get a sense of the progression for ages 6-13, here’s a short summary of Phase 1, 2 & 3. (These vary slightly between freestyle and freesking LTADs.)  

PHASE 1

Ages 2-6

Years in Sport: 1-4

Train: 1 day per week (ski for play as much as is enjoyable)

Focus  

95% freeskiing. Participate in many physical activities. Introduction to formal gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling is beneficial. Begin to develop fundamental movement skills through play, fun, novel activities.  

Technical & Tactical

Phase 1 is about learning and fun environments. Athlete should have fun with skiing and gain confidence on skis.  Mileage around the mountain is maximized with an emphasis on fun freeskiing with friends.

‍

PHASE 2

Ages: 6-10

Years in sport: 2-5

Train: 2 days per week (ski for play as much as is enjoyable)

Training focus

80-90% all-mountain skiing. Play many sports, with active participation in coordination or balance-based sports. Play many sports. Active participation in coordination or balance-based sports. Participation in team sports build teamwork, ethics and fair play.

Technical

This is the adventure stage: ride all terrain and explore the mountain. Free play, guided free skiing and drills are an integral part of development.

Tactical

Tactics are learned through self-discovery by riding around the mountain and adapting to different terrain.  Skis challenging terrain or difficult snow conditions.

‍

PHASE 3

(pre-puberty, before growth spurt)

Girls Ages 9-13

Boys Ages 10-14

Years in Sport: 4-7

Training: 2-4 days per week

‍

Training focus

60% all-mountain skiing. Continue to participate in many activities and sports. Begin to identify with primary vs. complementary sports. Start to incorporate focused dryland training 1-2 days per week. Enhance body awareness, balance, and spatial anticipation through games and drills.

Technical

Develop precision of basic skills while learning advanced techniques over a variety of terrain and features

Tactical

Gain comfort in applying various tactics in order to ski terrain using different strategies to achieve differing results.

‍