Arctic Valley Ski Team

The Arctic Valley Ski Team is the ski racing and ski education arm of the Anchorage Ski Club. We provide a variety of youth programs for participants ranging from ages 5 to adults & commitment levels ranging from multi-day full competition to weekly recreational ski programs.

SPRING BREAK AT ARCTIC VALLEY March, 13th, 14th, 15th

If you want your kid outdoors over spring break send them to Arctic Valley for SKI CAMP!

Camp will focus on skills, drills, free skiing and an intro to Ski Racing.

Wednesday – Friday

March 13th, 14th, 15th

11am to 5pm

$100 per day includes lift ticket.

Waiver: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/u5gb5ge2mbwpgou5a9zdsh/web/

Prerequisite: Ages 6+, All kids must be able to ride T-bar to Tower 3 unassisted or be able to ski all of Hilltop or Bear Cub Quad at Alyeska.

NEWS, INFO AND EVENTS

RACE REGISTRATION:

The Alaska U10 (and under) State Championships are at Arctic Valley on March 17th!

Birth Year: U10 2014-2015 / U8 2016-2017 / U6 2018-2019

Race Announcement: Arctic Valley U10 State Championships – Race announcement

RACE SCHEDULE: U6-U10 Champs

U10 State Championship Sign Up: http://adminskiracing.com/

$25 Racer Lift Tickets 2/10 & 2/11: https://arcticvalley.org/product/racer-ticket/

Volunteer Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CABA729ABFBC61-47273575-2024

Email AVST@arcticvalley.org for more info!

See the updated program descriptions below.

AVST COACHING TEAM

Coach Steve "Mash" has been coaching alpine ski racing for over 20 years. He has helped produce athletes that have gone on to race around the world.

Coach Andrew grew up skiing in Crested Butte, CO and raced for the University of Vermont on their nordic team. He has over 12 years coaching experience at the collegiate level starting at University Nevada-Reno, then Montana State, before taking the Head Nordic job at UAA. All three of his daughters participate in the AVSC program and he splits his time coaching these days between Jr Nordic and the AVSC Laughing Ptarmigan freeride group.

Coach Kara grew up racing in a midwestern league as well as USSA and FIS with Cascade Mountain in Wisconsin, and coached there as well. She raced for Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, CO and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Kara was the head coach of a state qualifying High School team in WI. She is an Arctic Valley lifetime member, volunteer coach, and is excited to watch her two children become Flying Ptarmigan!

Coach Kelsey has been coaching for 3 years and is a former AVST athlete with seven of Ski Racing years before that. She is an 18 year old high school senior. She loves love kids and sunny powder days!

Coach Caris has been coaching for 3 years at AVST and was previously an athlete, she has 7 years of racing experience. She's 17 years old and a senior in high school. She loves anything to do with skiing and can't wait for this season!

Coach Madi is 17 and a senior in highschool. She has been coaching for 3 years at AVST and was previously an athlete, she attended Western Region Championships 4 times during her 7 years of ski racing.

Coach Randy has over 30 years of skiing experience. Alpine Masters GS/SL race competitor. Nordic Cross Country/Biathlon racer at the National level. Background in coaching youth and junior sports for Competitive Select teams/camps. Local ski instructor with Professional Ski Instructor of America certification. In the off season focused on strength and conditioning training.

Coach Mark had a career in the marine corp where he had the opportunity to ski in several countries and many of the states, moved to Anchorage volunteered with Challenge Alaska at Alyeska, then moved to hilltop to volunteer with Special Olympics Was the hilltop ski area assistant ski school director for 2 years then became the ski school director for the next 13 years. While with hilltop he continued coaching and helping with Special Olympics. He became involved with ski racing when hilltop started a ysl ski program. Mark is also our official for us ski and snowboard the past 8 years.

MORE COACH PROFILES COMING SOON

Freeride, Learn to Ski, and Racing Programs

 

Saturdays @ Arctic Valley 10:30am to 3:30pm
Program Cost: $475 (1 day) / $700 (2 days) 2023/24 Season

  • Saturdays (Starts Dec 16th - April)
  • 1 day (Saturday) or 2 day (Saturday/Sunday) program
  • Winter Break and Spring Break camps available
  • Designed for ages 5-11 (Must be able to ride to tower 3 of the T-BAR)
  • Athletes will have had little to no experience with skiing generally.
  • The goal is to incorporate the family into the program and introduce athletes to the sport of ski racing, while building confidence and the ability to ski all terrain.
  • Staffed with experienced Paid and Volunteer Coaches
  • Program operates from 2nd weekend of December to 1st weekend of April (snow conditions permitting)
  • Focus is on fundamentals of skiing development, rooted in ski racing - 50% gate training, 50% free-skiing
  • It is highly recommended that athletes practice riding the T-Bar before the program begins
  • Anchorage Youth Ski League (YSL) race participation is highly encouraged - staff will be fully allocated to YSL race days, and there will not be practice at Arctic Valley on these YSL race days
  • YSL race fees included. Lift passes and Anchorage Ski Club Membership not included. Late fee applied November 1st.

Saturdays @ Arctic Valley 11:00am to 4:00pm
Program Cost: $550 2023/24 Season

  • Saturdays (Starts Dec 16th - April)
  • Winter Break and Spring Break camps available
  • Designed for ages 9-15
  • Staffed with experienced paid and volunteer coaches
  • Program operates from 2nd weekend of December to 1st weekend of April (snow conditions permitting)
  • Designed for athletes who have developed their skills in our Flying Ptarmigan program and/or are not interested in ski racing.
  • Focus is on fundamentals of skiing development, rooted in freeskiing. This program is 90% freeskiing, 10% gate training.
  • Courses and drills are occasionally set to help athletes become better skiers and build fundamentals
  • It is highly recommended that athletes can ride the T-bar independently before the program begins.
  • Lift passes and Anchorage Ski Club Membership not included. $75 late fee applied November 1st

Saturdays @ Arctic Valley 12pm-3pm
Program cost: $450 2023/24 Season

  • Program operates from Jan 13 to 1st weekend of April (snow conditions permitting)
  • Designed for ages 4-8
  • Winter Break and Spring Break camps available
  • Athletes have not skied before
  • The goal is to introduce kids to skiing, build confidence, and teach basic ski skills
  • Focus is on having fun, and learning to ski
  • After a season with this group, athletes will be ready to progress to the Flying Ptarmigan program
  • Staffed with experienced Paid and Volunteer Coaches

Saturdays @ Arctic Valley
Program Cost: See below

Our premier race training program, for kids who want to compete in races at the USSA level. Coached by experienced former racers.

  • Drills and Gate Training at Arctic Valley Saturday & Sunday 10:30 AM -  3:30PM, respectively
  • Fall (travel), Winter Break and Spring Break camps available
  • Late spring camp available (pending snow conditions)
  • An experienced, Full-Time Development Coach is dedicated to the Fighting Ptarmigan group
  • Experienced Paid and Volunteer Coaches assigned to assist Full-time Development Coach
  • Video upload and analysis
  • Personalized race equipment sourcing, fitting and tuning education assistance
  • On snow as early as possible, to 2nd weekend of April
  • Focus on Elite level racing technical development - 90% gate training, 10% freeskiing
  • Dryland commences first weekend of October, 2x per week, until on snow
  • USSA race license, lift passes and Anchorage Ski Club Membership not included. Late fee applied November 1st.

Programs

  • 1 Day (Saturdays) $1100
    • For athletes who enjoy skiing and want to participate in the sport, but have other commitments they prioritize above ski racing. These athletes are likely to be involved with the club for more social reasons than for competition.
    • USSS Competitor's License encouraged
  • U12+ 2-Day (Sat/Sun) $1500
    • For athletes aged 10 and older who have a high commitment to the sport.
    • USSS Competitor's License recommended
  • U12+ 4-Day (2 days Midweek + Sat/Sun) $2200
    • For athletes 10 and older who are highly committed to the sport.
    • At this point in their athletic and physical maturity, they are prepared to commit more time towards ski racing.
    • While athletes should still compete in other sports, ski racing is one of their primary focuses
    • USSS Competitor's License recommended
  • Midweek Training (Thu/Fri) (added to Laughing or Flying Ptarmigan Programs)
    • For athletes in any program to gain additional time in gates
    • Drop in session: $40
    • 1 day per week for full season: $300
    • 2 days per week for full season: $600

Sundays @ Arctic Valley
Program cost: $1000 (full season) / $750 (spring season) / $30 (drop in rate)

  • For athletes who may (or may not) be over the hill but still want to enjoy the pursuit of sport and maintain or develop their skills in alpine skiing.
  • This program will consist of training once weekly (Sundays) until spring operations start in March, at which point training will be available Thu/Fri/Sun
  • Program starts January 7th, 2023
  • Fall (travel), Winter Break, and Spring Break camps available

AVST Sponsor

Questions about our programs?

Contact at avst@arcticvalley.org

Volunteer

We are a volunteer-based program. Interested in helping?

We need the following:

  • Paid Coaches (with ski racing experience) 1-4 days per week
  • Volunteer Coaches (with or without ski racing experience) 1-2 days per week
  • Parent Coaches (no racing experience needed, just a love to ski) 1-2 days per week
  • Volunteers In General (Lodge Moms/Dads, Admin, Parent liaisons) 1-2 days per week

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Arctic Valley Ski Team avst@arcticvalley.org