Question 1. What is a Freeskiing Team?
Answer – Our focus is to ski everything, everywhere and have fun doing it. The team’s underlying philosophy that the best big mountain skiers are the ones who excell at all aspects of the sport. Mixing this philosophy and the IFSA’s judging criteria of Technique, Control, Line Selection, Fluidity, and Style developed for freeskiing competitions helps the team drive skill acquisition. The team trains in the race course, bumps, park and pipe, and of course, steeps.
Question 2. Do athletes have to compete if they join the team?
Answer – No, only if they want to. If athletes just want to join to get better at skiing that’s great. No pressure. Although there will be plenty of opportunities if they do want to compete, the International Free Skiers Association sponsors Jr. freeskiing competitions all over the West.
Question 3. Does the team train in the backcountry?
Answer – No. The only time we will be in the backcountry is during Avalanche Awareness training put on by professional instructors. These courses are voluntary and cost extra.
Question 4. Do athletes need special gear?
Answer – Yes, sort of. Skis of the fatter variety are highly encouraged (waisted ski of at least 85mm is a good start) but not necessary. Twin tips are also encouraged. One thing we highly discourage is center mounted skis, this is because they don’t work very well off trail in mixed snow conditions.
Question 5. Will athletes be expected to ski exposed dangerous terrain and jump off cliffs?
Answer – No. Skiing of that sort takes years to work into, no athlete is expected to ski anything they are not comfortable with. However athletes should be comfortable skiing at least a normal groomed black run.
Question 6. Does the team only train at Purgatory?
Answer – No. We will be training at Purgatory (DMR) on Saturdays, Wolf Creek on Sundays, and SIlverton Mountain as much as possible (usually April). Wolf Creek is only charging team members $15 for lift tickets (yay! Wolf Creek!!) SIlverton will only be charging $25 for team members during unguided and $35 for parents.
Question 7. Are athletes expected to travel and ski with the team both Sat. and Sun.?
Answer – No. One day is sufficient, although we encourage both.
Question 8. Where can I find more information on freeskiing?
Answer – Freeskiers.org is a good place to start or pick up a copy of any DVD from Matchstick Productions or Teton Gravity Research.
Question 9. If I have more questions who can I contact?
Answer – Head Coach Brian Buerger
email – babuerger@yahoo.com
phone – 970-946-1339
