The nine week long Development Program is the MARA entry point for young skiers and is a fun and safe program rooted in skiing all terrain, building skiing fundamentals, and introducing the athletes to ski racing. Led by enthusiastic coaches who focus on having fun, gaining strong fundamental skills and exploring new terrain, our development athletes learn to love everything about skiing – gliding, carving, gates, bumps, jumps, adventure, and camaraderie.
By basing our Developmental Program on having fun, being creative and teaching good fundamental skills, we hope to insure a healthy ski culture for all athletes and inspire future top competitors.
Abilities
This is not a “learn to ski” program. Athletes must be able to load and unload lifts unassisted and comfortably ride the lifts by themselves. They must also be able to ski the runs serviced by the Comer lift. This includes making linked turns in both directions at a consistent speed, with the ability to stop safely on these runs.
If these skills are still a bit beyond your athlete, the Mt. Ashland Snowsports School offers a Pre-Development program for athletes, that are not yet capable of fulfilling the abilities mentioned above. Athletes of the Pre-Development program are welcome to compete in the Development Fun Race as well as the Keiser Cup Giant Slalom. Please visit the Mt. Ashland website for more information.
Schedule
MARA offers the following options for our Development program:
9 weeks Saturday only or Sunday only
All Saturday Development Teams will start Saturday, January 2nd, 2016. All Sunday Development Teams will start, January 3rd, 2016.
Teams ski from 9.00am – 3.00pm with a one hour unsupervised lunch between 11.30am – 12.30pm.
Upon completing the nine week program, athletes have the option to continue the season, with a pro-rated fee, in an age and skill appropriate full season program.
Racing
All athletes are encouraged to participate in a Development Fun Race at the end of their program, as well as participating in any of our local races.
Enroll today for a 9 week program!
Program Fees Online Membership Application
