Last week was an exciting week of speed races for the SSWSC U16 alpine team. For a few, it was their first downhill event, and for everyone competing, it was a fantastic discovery of mental toughness, courage, and confidence.

McKenzie Maines, Paddock Whitten, Ellie Reynolds, and Gavin Murphy all place 1st on Sunday, January 21 on the East Face at Steamboat Ski Resort.

The NPS series races provide an opportunity for athletes to compete against some of the best U16 skiers across the nation, with the goal of qualifying for one of two European race series and competing against U16 alpine racers from across the world.

On Saturday, January 20, four girls and ten boys from the SSWSC Devo Freeski program competed in the Steamboat IFSA U12 Big Mountain competition against athletes from around the Rocky Mountain Region on the East Face venue at Steamboat Ski Resort. All the athletes showed courage and strong skiing in fresh snow under bluebird skis.

Freeski athlete Tanner Van Ness was on the podium for the first time in the USASA Copper Slopestyle on Sunday, January 21.