The U16 team is comprised of motivated athletes who compete in local and regional USSA events at a level appropriate to their desire and ability. 

The U16 program requires a commitment from the athletes and features a great deal of individual attention. The program represents a time that athletes may achieve major development through regular conditioning, on-snow training, technical discussion, and video analysis. 

Year-round participation in physical conditioning is expected for U16 athletes and the program conducts physical assessments 2-3 times annually. At the U16 level, the emphasis is on the technical and tactical aspects of all-mountain skiing and racing. 

Groups split their time between all-mountain skiing, technical drills, gate training, mental game skills, speed event skiing (Super-G, DH), and, as always, having fun! 

New participants to the club wishing to enter the Club at the U16 level must discuss and get approval from the Alpine Program Director, as significant skiing experience is expected for this group.

Age for 2026-27 Winter Season

Born 2011-2012

Skill Development Focus

• All-mountain skiing;
• Hill safety;
• Mastering balance, coordination, movement, and athletic stance on skis. Goal is that athletes can ski ALL terrains and ALL courses and ALL disciplines with adequate technique. Athletes should be mastering carving, usage of upper and lower body separation, usage of all four edges, cross blocking, maintain snow contact, and pole plant. They should be adequate with course inspection, line choices, etc. They should be getting better at weight transfer, maintain turn shape, gliding, aerodynamics, jumping and self-feedback, tip pressure at start of the turn and control pressure thru the whole turn.
• Increased focus on competition and racing, while continuing to develop a lifelong passion and mastery of the sport of skiing.

For more information on the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Training System model, click here.

Training Schedule 

Strength & Conditioning

Year-round programming for the U16 team starts with strength and conditioning from July 6th - November 1st. Scheduled training times are:

• Weekdays 4:00-6:00pm during School.
• Weekdays 8:00-9:30am during summer vacation.
• Fitness testing days throughout the summer/fall

Spring/Summer/Fall Skiing

The U16 program offers summer/fall training camps. 

• October 4-14, 2025: Hintertux Austria GS & SL Camp
• November 8-17, 2025: Winter Park, Co GS & SL Camp

On Snow

November 28, 2026 - April 6, 2027 (November training begins when Snow King opens)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 1:45pm-4pm @ Snow King
Friday 2:30pm-4:30pm @ Snow King
Saturdays 8:45 am -12pm @ JHMR
Sundays 8:45 am- 12:00pm @ JHMR/SK

The program will also include extra training at Snow King and JHMR during the December holiday break from school.

Recommended Summer Skiing

2-5 weeks JHSC Summer Training Camp info

Competition & Events 

Races

U16 athletes will compete in 15-30 race days per winter. 
Within the Intermountain Division, the U16 group will compete in Division-wide races. JHSC will travel with U16 athletes to appropriate races, which includes a Regional Championship in March. The U16 race schedule can be tailored to fit individual athletes. U16 athletes are expected to travel to races as a team.

U16 Race Schedule 26-27:

Dec 20-23: IMD Sean Nurse SL & GS at Snow King

Jan 9-12: IMD U16 Qualifier 2SL & 2GS at Snow King 

Jan 22-25: IMD Wes Barron at JHMR (Boys First) 

Feb 5-8 : IMD U16 Qualifier 2SL & 2GS at Sun Valley, ID

Feb 19-21: IMD U16 Qualifier SG at Bogus Basin, ID

Mar 10-14: WR U16 Regionals SL, GS & SG at Big Sky, MT

Mar 13-16: Tri Divisional Champs SL,GS & SG at JHMR

April 3-6: Snow Cup 2SL & 2GS at Snowbird, UT

Fees & Obligations 

2026-2027 Program Fee

Through August 31	September 1 - October 31	After October 31
$9,500	$9,700	$9,900

Scholarships

If finances are a barrier to your child's participation, please apply for a need-based scholarship - learn more

Payment plan

A payment plan of equal payments from the date of registration through March is available when you register.  This payment plan combines program fees and estimated travel expenses.  

If this first payment presents a financial burden at this time, please contact [email protected]

Work Deposit

There is a 24 point work deposit commitment with this program. What is work deposit? Learn about it here. 

Team Meeting

Oct TBA Tuesday 6:00pm in the Snow King Lodge Room

U16 Athletes will also have a one on one meeting with coaches to go over season goals and plan!

JHSC Policies

Parent/Athlete Handbook 

Other Costs

Travel Expenses

The estimate for the season is $3,000 (JHSC fall CO training camp, 3 qualifiers + Sean Nurse & Wes Barron). Enrolling in the U16 Travel membership in registration is required for all U16 Team athletes.  A payment plan combining program fees and estimated travel expenses is available in registration.  The plan allows equal monthly payments from the date of registration through March. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Membership

U16 Competitor Membership
IMD Membership

Ski Passes

Athletes need a Snow King Mountain & Jackson Hole Mountain Resort season pass. Pass prices are not included in program fees and must be purchased directly through Snow King and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Purchase early for best pricing. 

Equipment Recommendations 

Recommended 2-5 pairs of race skis (GS & SL, SG optional), SG ski must be 30m radius to meet the requirement, 1 pair of freeskis. Helmets are mandatory. Arm, hand, back, teeth (mouth guard) and shin protection recommended 

Local opportunities to purchase new & used gear:

• JHSC internal equipment exchange night (used gear) 
• Manufacturer’s Equipment Night (new gear) 
• JHSC Annual Ski & Gear Swap (new & used gear)
• Boot alignments and fitting Early October & Early November after school @ JHSC

Academic Support & Early Release Program

U16 athletes are enrolled in their school's early release program. 

Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club staff works closely with Jackson Hole High School, Jackson Hole Middle School, Jackson Hole Community School, Jackson Hole Classical Academy, and the Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools to further develop the Early-Release Program for each academic year and summer programs. The Club and local schools are highly motivated to create educational program options for students that enable them to maintain a rigorous academic schedule while supporting athletic growth and development.  Learn more.