Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club 
Alpine November Newsletter

Start Gate to Success: Olympian Katie Hensien’s Guide for the Next Generation of Ski Racers

Before competing on the World Cup and representing the U.S. at the Olympics, Katie Hensien raced the same Intermountain Division events many of you know, like the Sean Nurse Memorial and Wes Barron Speed Series. She grew up skiing those same courses, building fundamentals, confidence, and the drive that took her to the world stage. Today, she’s one of America’s top tech skiers and continues to inspire the next generation with her grit, focus, and passion for the sport.

Q&A with Olympian Katie Hensien 
Katie recently finished 12th in the opening World Cup Giant Slalom in Austria! Follow her journey on Instagram @katiehensien.

1. You started ski racing at a young age and worked your way up to the World Cup. What’s one training habit or skill you developed as a kid that still helps you perform your best today?
One thing that’s stuck with me since I was a kid is always starting my day with a strong free-ski warm-up. I never skip it. I go back to the fundamentals, edge sets and javelin turns, to build a solid platform and get connected with my skis. Laying down clean, fun arcs before jumping into the course helps me feel balanced and confident. It might seem simple, but that foundation is what everything else is built on.

2. Ski racing has a lot of ups and downs. What’s one strategy or routine you use to stay focused and bounce back after a tough race or setback?
As we all know, ski racing will test you mentally and physically. One thing that helps me bounce back after a tough day is leaning on the tools I’ve developed with my sport psychologist. It’s not about pretending a bad race didn’t happen, it’s about learning from it. I’ll talk with my coach, watch video, and focus on specific things I can improve. That way, instead of beating myself up, I turn it into motivation. I remind myself that setbacks are just stepping stones if I use them the right way.

3. What’s one piece of practical advice you’d give young ski racers at the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club—something they can start doing right now to improve on and off the hill?
If you want to be a great ski racer, start by being a great skier. Strong fundamentals are your biggest advantage, and the best part is, Jackson Hole is one of the best places in the world to build them. You’ve got every type of terrain right in your backyard. Go out, explore, ski everything, and challenge yourself in all kinds of conditions. And most importantly, have fun with it!

Alpine Team Updates

FIS Team

The FIS team had a productive and inspiring training camp in Hintertux, Austria! Athletes made tremendous progress both technically and mentally. Despite a stretch of challenging weather early in the camp, it was impressive to see everyone apply the mental skills and strategies from our wellbeing sessions to stay focused and make the most of every training opportunity. The growth, resilience, and team spirit were outstanding, great work by all!

Marissa Haase leads the FIS team as Head Coach. This is Marissa’s second year in this role! The FIS team is excited for their upcoming training camps in Colorado this month!

U16 Team

In early October, the U16s traveled to Europe for their annual camp in Hintertux, Austria. The group of 8 athletes showed incredible dedication and enthusiasm, training diligently on the glacier while also exploring the rich culture of Innsbruck during their rest day (and sampling the region’s excellent cuisine!). Back home, dryland training has been full of energy and effort as athletes continue developing motor skills, strength, and power ahead of the Colorado training camp in early November.

Ned Lazarevic leads the U16 team as Head Coach—now in his 8th year in the role! The team is excited to go to Colorado for their pre-season training camp this month!

U14 Team

We have 45 athletes in the U14 program this year! The team has been focused on dryland training: building strength, agility, and balance and yoga sessions every Wednesday led by Niki Sue. The Athlete Wellbeing Program is back and has been a major theme this month with sessions from Annie Rendall (mindset), Lexie Mcphie (injury prevention), and Devin Delaney (nutrition).

The U14s will be coached by a team of six led by Jamison Stone, who is entering his 8th year with JHSC and 5th as Head Coach. The crew is stoked for the upcoming Loveland, CO camp (Nov. 14–23)!

U12/U10 Teams

The U12 and U10 athletes have been crushing their fall dryland sessions: getting strong, having fun, and enjoying the great fall weather! Training has included hikes, obstacle courses, and plenty of teamwork.
This winter, Turner Brett will lead the U12 team as Head Coach, and River Corrado will lead the U10 program. Both bring great energy and passion to developing our youngest racers!

2-Day and Rockchuck Racers

The 2-Day and Rockchuck (RC) teams are gearing up for the season ahead.

• The 2-Day Team will hold its team meeting later this month.
• The Rockchuck Team will host its meeting in December.

We highly encourage all families to attend their respective meetings to ensure that all questions are answered before the resorts open and programs begin. These meetings are a great way to connect, get organized, and set your athletes up for a successful and fun season on snow.

Coaches’ Corner: New Coaches Are Here!

We’re thrilled to welcome several new international coaches to the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club this season! Each brings a wealth of experience, global perspective, and fresh energy to our program.

• Juan Bogani (Argentina) – FIS Coach
• Chiara Maria Ferrari (Spain) – U16 Coach
• Dani Larriu (Spain) – U14 Coach

Juan, Chiara, and Dani bring diverse coaching backgrounds and unique approaches to athlete development. Their combined international experience will elevate our technical and tactical training and also enrich our team culture. We’re excited for our athletes to learn from their expertise and for our entire program to benefit from their passion for ski racing and commitment to excellence.

Athlete Sync Jackets: ORDER NOW

You can order your Sync Team Jackets now (and we encourage it!). Please note that lead times for delivery are upwards of four to six weeks, as each jacket is sent to embroidery once ordered and then shipped directly to your home address.

There is a jacket for youth athletes and a jacket for adult athletes, along with additional apparel options for parents and athletes looking for extra gear. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your official team gear in time for opening day!

Order here: Sync Team Page – Jackson Hole Ski Club

25/26 Ski Club Race Calendar

• Sean Nurse Memorial December 20-23, 2025
• Club Series Dec 28, 2025
• U14 Qualifier January 9-11, 2026
• Wild West FIS Race January 14-17, 2026
• Wes Barron January 23-26, 2026
• Rum Cup - All Fridays in February (locals race series!)
• Club Series March 8, 2026
• Jackson Hole Downhill March 8, 2026
• IMD Champs March 20-22, 2026
• U16 Nationals March 28- April 1, 2026

Parent Volunteering & Community Involvement

For the majority of parents with athletes in JHSC, there is a requirement to work a certain number of volunteer hours each year. The number of hours depends on your child’s age group and team.

Signing up to volunteer at club-wide events and races is the primary way to fulfill this commitment. But more importantly, volunteering is a meaningful way to be part of the JHSC community. It shouldn’t be viewed as just a task to check off, it’s a chance to contribute to something special.

Having a strong, supportive community of parents and families helping at races creates an amazing culture that our athletes feel and benefit from. It truly takes a village to run a race, and without the help of parents and community members, none of this would be possible.

Get involved and see upcoming events here:
https://jhskiclub.org/events

You Have to Read This…

This month’s featured article for families and athletes is titled “Surrendering Your Expectations: The Mental Edge in Ski Racing”, originally published by SkiRacing.com. (Read here →)

Written by former racer and commentator Trey Seymour, the piece explores how high-performing athletes can shift from outcome-driven goals (rankings, medals, points) to process-focused goals (how they ski, how they think, how they feel) in order to release pressure and unlock their best performance.

How Families Can Apply It

• Athletes: Pick one process-focused goal this week, something within your control.
• Parents: Celebrate effort and focus, not just results.
• Teams: Ask, “What expectation can I let go of to enjoy training more and perform better?”

The Finish Line Thought

Your monthly boost of mindset fuel to carry through the season, something to spark reflection, stoke motivation, and remind you why you love this sport.

“Expectations can be paralyzing, don’t let them steer you. Embrace the process, stay present, and take pride in this rare journey you’re part of.”
— Trey Seymour