Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation registration opens; scholarships offered

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation at Lake Tahoe has opened registration for the 2010-2011 Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard Programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online, at the HSSF building, or by calling the HSSF administration office. Those who register and pay in full now will receive the early registration pricing; prices increase $100 on Nov. 1.

“The foundation continues to strengthen its relationship with Heavenly and work with the community to provide skiing and snowboarding options to the local youth,” said Foundation President Jim Plake. “With the Blue Angel program we’re reaching out to children who want to ski recreationally. But then with our Full-Time Competitive Program we’re also catering to those who are striving to reach the Olympics.”

The Foundation programs are divided by age and ability; prices may vary. The One-Day Program offers all ages and abilities up to 18 training days, primarily Sundays, December through March. A Heavenly restricted pass, equipment and gear are required. Alpine and Snowboard registrants can choose to participate in the Tahoe League and U.S.A.S.A. South Shore Series respectively for an additional fee.

In addition to the One-Day Program, the HSSF also offers Part-Time, Part-Time Plus (Alpine only) and Full-Time programs. These programs require additional commitments from both parents and athletes. With a longer season, December through as late as mid-May, these programs offer a lot more time on the mountain with professional coaches and more participation in competitions.

Dryland and gymnastics training, Sunday Fundays, night training, video analysis, pro clinics and more advanced competition training are some of the bonuses of these programs depending upon what is right for your young athlete. With all programs the emphasis is placed on skiing and boarding preparation and equipment care, as well as focusing on physical and mental competition techniques. The programs also teach physical fitness through healthy activity and good eating habits while promoting the values of teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Program costs range from $700 to $3,000 and scholarships are available; Snowboard Program pricing includes the cost of single or three-mountain pass options. Alpine and Freestyle Programs registration pricing increases Nov. 1, 2010; Snowboard Program registration pricing increases Jan. 1, 2011. For more information visit www.heavenlyssf.com or call the administrative office at (530) 431-7354.

 The HSSF prides itself on selecting the best coaching staff available to nurture young athletes. The dedication seen from the coaching staff makes the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation one of the best in Tahoe. This year the Foundation will welcome back Alpine head coaches Noel Dufty, Raquel Norton and Oliver Russell. Noel begins his 19th year as a coach at the Foundation.

He has over 30 years of professional ski coaching and is a former professional ski racer; has coached in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Italy and the USA; and has an International Level 4 certification. He coached Heavenly’s National Team and Olympic Team member Jonna Mendes; U.S. team member Alicia Howard; and World Championship Team and National Team member Wisi Betschart. Raquel begins her eleventh year as a coach for the Foundation. She skied competitively for 15 years; was a Collegiate Athletic 1st Team All American-NCSA; is a Level 200 USSA Coach; holds a B.S. in physiology and MS in Health Science; and is a California credentialed teacher and ski coach.

Oliver begins his ninth year with the Foundation. He raced competitively for the HSSF for 12 years, finishing his racing career as one of the top competitive FIS racers for the Western Division. He now trains and travels with the HSSF FIS athletes. The Freestyle Team will welcome back head coach Jere Crawford for his seventh season. He was an amateur and pro mogul skier; is the original Top Gun on Gunbarrel; designed and built courses for Nationals, Junior Nationals, pro events, and countless regional events; and is a Level 2 aerial coach. Assistant coach Travis Woodcock is a former member of the HSSF Freestyle Team. He has competed in many skiing disciplines including moguls, racing, aerials, slopestyle, halfpipe, big mountain and even acro; he was a National Combined Freestyle Champion; and was the first person to do eight twisters.

The Snowboard Team will welcome back for his twelfth season Travis Chatwin, to his new position as head coach. He competed professionally for seven years; continues to compete at the local/national level alongside his athletes; is a National Halfpipe and Slopestyle Champion; has received the Triple Overall Champion title six of the past ten years; and has worked with some of the top professionals in snowboarding today. He is joined by assistant coaches Garrett Gibb and Joe Piccinonno.

Garrett begins his third year coaching for the Foundation; he’s competed competitively for seven years; was a member of HSSF for six years; has a resume of impressive results including a 1st place at the 2010 Mt. High Gatorade Free Flow Tour in slopestyle; and currently coaches ski/snowboard based gymnastics at Tumbleweeds. Joe begins his second season as a coach and has been riding with children for seven years. He is certified by USSA andUSASA; in rescue medicine as a Wilderness First Responder; has assisted at the past three USASA National Championships; and has a background in education and early childhood and adolescent development.

Scholarships are available to those who qualify and applications are due by Nov. 1. See www.heavenlyssf.com for applications and qualification information. The Heavenly Foundation’s Scholarship Committee is an independent group of community leaders who evaluate each application and award financial assistance based on family income, the athletes’ written essay, and scholastic standing. The funding for the program comes solely from community contributions and fundraising events such as the Annual Ski Swap, the Winter Welcome, The Grapes & Gates Wine Tasting and  Kinder Kup Race Series.

— Submitted by Sam Bauman