Freeride Team

Welcome to SPAC Freeride! Keeping it core since 2005, SPAC Freeride is a holistic, all mountain skiing and snowboarding program designed for skiers and snowboarders who are looking to progress their skills, build confidence in the terrain park as well as off-piste, be part of a mountain community and further their passion for winter sports. Our approach focuses on intensive technical training necessary to navigate big mountain/freeride, terrain parks (jumps, rails and features) and competition. 
SPAC Freeride Athletes take part in a dynamic mountain program that operates with the following values:

  • Progressing Skills (regardless of skill level) in all areas of Skiing and Snowboarding expanding boundaries while having fun and being safe.
  • Mountain Community Participation is a huge part of what we do, fostering a supportive atmosphere where athletes grow and demonstrate strong stewardship of the mountain and the people surrounding it.
  • Competition is not a requirement to be on this team, however we celebrate and coach athletes who want to compete in Big Mountain/Freeride, Park/Freestyle and Cross Disciplines.
  • Perspective, Resiliency, and Metal Toughness are all attributes our athletes are required to practice each week as the training we run requires these qualities in order to succeed.
  • Respect Gets Respect as each athlete experiences things differently and learns at their own unique pace.
  • Mindfulness, Humility & Kindness. The work we do on and off the slopes is not for everyone. With these values in mind, our training places these values front and center with our peers, our coaches, our parents/sponsors, mountain staff and others we interact with on a day to day basis.

PROGRAMS

SPAC Freeride has been developing athletes since the program’s inception in 2005. We are fortunate to have one of the most diverse ski areas in the country with a strong maritime snowpack as our training ground. Over the years, SPAC Freeride has placed athletes on the Freeride World Tour, US Ski/Snowboard Team and various College programs across the country.

All incoming athletes must be Blue Square/Black Diamond and above for Groms, and Black Diamond level and above for the Main Program. We want athletes to have the best possible experience and be surrounded by those of like skills. Should SPAC Freeride not be the best fit, we have an excellent relationship with Stevens and can help place the athlete in the program that supports their skill level. 

Groms (Ages 8-11)
These programs are for the young ripper that has progressed beyond mom and dad, and looking to jump off of everything they see! The SPAC Grom Program is a 101 in the Terrain Park and Off-Piste Skiing and Snowboarding. As these athletes are still developing both physically and mentally, the program is designed to help these young riders better understand Freeride, progress their skills, locate a community, and aspire to the Main Freeride Team. 

  • Single Day Program – Athletes can choose between Saturday or Sunday Sessions
  • Two Day Program – Athletes can ride in both Saturday and Sunday Sessions
  • 8 or 16 Sessions
  • January 11 through March 2
  • Fees: Single Day $1025.00 – Two-Day $2050.00

Main Program (Ages 12-18)
Our foundational program (Circa 2005), the SPAC Main Team is for black diamond level Skiers and Snowboarders practicing advanced maneuvers in the terrain park on all features and jump lines as well as traveling off-piste to bigger, ungroomed terrain. These athletes are trained by former athletes and pillars of the Stevens, Freeride community. 

  • Single Day Program – Sundays Only
  • Ages: 12-18 years old
  • 4-5 Preseason Sessions – Lynnwood, WA – October through November
  • 10 Regular Season Sessions
  • January 5 through March 9
  • Fees: $1300.00

Traveling Program (All Ages)
As not all of the Main SPAC Freeride Team riders will want to compete, there are some that will. This extension of the Main program will foster that competitive itch, traveling to IFSA, USSA, USASA regional and national events. On the days where competitions are not underway, these athletes will rally with the Main SPAC Freeride team, further honing their skills and preparing for their next competition.

  • Competitions are determined by athletes and venue selections
  • Ages: All Ages
  • January through April
  • Fees: TBD

Boost Programs (Ages 12-18)
TBD

FAQ’s

How is SPAC-FT different from Steven’s Pass High Camp?

High Camp is a great option for intermediate to advanced athletes who are looking for a winter program that is structured around pre-competitive skill development.  We anticipate that athletes in High Camp who are interested in progressing their skills into competition and who are looking for more of a year-round freeride community will move into SPAC-FT.

Will you run competitions?

Yes, we’re going to be hosting the Cowboy Up Freeride Competition February 7-8

What is the connection to Stevens Pass Alpine Club?

Stevens Pass Alpine Club (SPAC) is the non-profit partner of Stevens Pass. They run a formal alpine ski race team, but are not part of the Stevens Pass/Vail programming. SPAC-FT joins SPAC as the freeride arm of the program. We anticipate opportunities for cross-team programming where athletes can toggle between both alpine race skiing and freeride, if that’s of interest. SPAC and SPAC-FT have a shared mission of creating all mountain, lifetime winter athletes, whether that’s skiing or snowboarding.

What can I expect as far as programming and coaching?
  • Highly Specialized Professional Coaching
    • Freestyle (Terrain Park, Natural Features & Style)
    • Big Mountain Freeride (Off-Piste Terrain), Competition (event preparation & execution)
  • Preseason Dryland Training Sessions – featuring strength and conditioning, nutrition, & mobility as well as ongoing follow up throughout the season
  • Hard and Soft Goods Training – including warmth, layering, vision & tuning
  • Exclusive Mind Mapping / Goal Setting Workshops for Athletes – this is a highly specialized workshop to ensure that our coaches and athletes are aligned throughout the season to achieve athletes desires on and off the hill
  • Mountain Hazard Training – Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC)
  • Gear Partnerships – Freeride specific brands opening the door to specialized equipment necessary for execution
  • 7:1 Athlete to Coach Ratio
  • Traveling Coaching – Available for IFSA, USASA and USSA competitions 
  • Communication Line – This is a big part of what we do as the weather can dictate where we spend our time each week. SPAC Freeride will have weekly communications indicating what we are working on/toward. 
  • Community – We cannot stress this enough! Our passion for Stevens Pass continues through the team educating athletes on being part of this program and navigating progression on the mountain safely and systematically. 

For more information, please email freeride@spacracing.com

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