Alpine

SSWSC Alpine Team Logs Two Weeks of On-Snow Training at Copper Mountain

SSWSC FIS and U16 skiers made their first turns back in courses after a nearly three month break at Copper Mountain starting on June 3. Conditions were excellent on the upper mountain, with the training lanes starting at 12,000 feet of elevation. The camp had a very different feel with athletes staying with their families rather than with the team, arriving to the slopes wearing masks and riding the Super Bee six-pack chairlift with no more than two people sitting at either end of the chair. But once they started skiing, everything was familiar once again. Dryland training happened outside in a physically distanced matter and on-line as well. Video sessions took place over Zoom. The improvement in the athletes’ skiing was not virtual, it was very real, and dramatic for some. The coaches worked overtime helping the athletes to coordinate ski testing, work on boots and get equipment dialed in. Several new skiers joined this camp and are going to be great additions to the team. Everyone was thrilled to be back on skis and showed their passion for ski racing. As usual, the athletes stood out in showing their gratitude to the Copper Mountain staff at the lifts and on the slopes, they truly did a tremendous job. The coaches are excited about the foundation that was set and are looking forward to the next camp opportunity at Mount Hood in July.

Snowy Copper Trails from afar




Slalom Dryland Practice

6am Sunrise course setting

A view from one of the training days

Cross Country

SSWSC XC athletes, Ellory Kearns, Grace Zanni, and Ellery Hodges, midway through a 3 hour trail run on Emerald Mountain