Featured Image: Hunter Salani racing on the Stifel US Ski Team at Sun Valley. Provided by Hunter Salani.

19-year-old Hunter Salani just finished his inaugural year on the development team of the Stifel US Ski and Snowboard Team. His journey to get to where he is now has not fallen short of hard work, dedication to alpine ski racing, and a great support system. 

The Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) and the Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy (VSSA) played essential roles in his support network. Their partnership was critical in guiding him to achieve his present level of success.

Learning Young at Future Stars

Growing up near Vail Ski Resort, Hunter’s mom strapped him into skis right when he could walk. 

“I first started skiing on the magic carpet right above Ski and Snowboard Club Vail when I was one and a half, my mom tells me,” Hunter explained. 

After learning how to ski, Hunter’s family put him into the Future Stars Program at SSCV. 

The Future Stars program is a weekend program dedicated to developing the skiing skills of young children, with on-snow technical training as the basis. The program exposes young athletes to the possibilities of joining three different disciplines—alpine, freeski, and moguls—at SSCV. 

Hunter stated, “It was awesome. A huge part of it is just free skiing your first couple of years and figuring everything out about how to ski. Then, when you go into gates, you’re already a very good skier.” 

He continued, “Going out there and messing around is definitely the best way to improve your skiing at a young age. It was really fun, and those were really good years.” 

The program also introduced the athletes to competition.

“We would have a competition every year that all of us were so excited about. We did a big mountain part, then a mogul part, park, and then alpine. We would all do those different competitions, and it was pretty exciting,” he stated.

Support While Balancing School and Skiing

“I think the biggest part is how well the club works with VSSA for the school aspect. You hear in so many places how hard schools made it to travel to races, and the schools just wouldn’t cooperate,” Hunter stated. 

VSSA is a unique public school that gives student-athletes the opportunity to experience world-class training while engaging in a challenging, college-preparatory academic environment. 

Students at VSSA are required to join as full-time athletes with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail or another affiliated organization. The school recognizes the travel commitments that come with being a dedicated winter sports athlete, which is why they customize their curriculum to accommodate those competing on a global scale.

Additionally, Hunter was fortunate enough to have a scholarship that supported him immensely. This donation-based scholarship provided him with the financial ease to focus on being a successful student-athlete. 

Hunter stated, “I think it was an anonymous donor that would support me on my trips, which was just amazing. It felt good to send a note through the mail thanking them, and it felt good to have someone supporting me out there who I didn’t even know.”

Fond Memories with Amazing Coaches

Keep in mind that your impact as a coach on an athlete’s love for a sport is truly significant. Hunter highlighted this when he looked back on the SSCV coaches who helped him throughout his ski racing journey.

“Every single year I was at the ski club, I had a very good coach from Future Stars into higher levels,” Hunter stated. 

He continued, “I remember my Future Stars coach was awesome. And then I had one of my favorite coaches, Elena Rogers, who was my U14 coach.” 

He reminisced on the memories he shared with the coaches at SSCV and how he still remains in contact with a lot of them, which he believes is a great sign of their impact. 

“Coaches make a really, really big difference because it is hard to enjoy going every day to the sport when you’re not going to enjoy your coach,” he stated.

A Lasting Positive Impact of Dryland Training

Dryland training is essential at SSCV to help competitive athletes develop strength, balance, flexibility, confidence, and prevent injuries. 

“They take dryland really seriously, especially in the summer. I remember every morning going in from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and doing a workout as a U16 athlete,” Hunter stated. 

For athletes, having a structured and consistent strength and conditioning program can elevate their performance and shape their lifestyle outside of the sport. Hunter credits the dryland program at SSCV for helping him succeed beyond just ski racing.

“I was really excited to go [to dryland], see everyone, and hang out. I think that was huge because now, at this age, I’m super excited to go into the gym in the morning,” he explained.

He continues to be dedicated to lifting and other strength training activities, which he knows will help him maintain his athleticism for years to come.

The Vision of Competing at a High Level 

As a young athlete, Hunter envisioned himself competing on the World Cup circuit and gunning for an Olympic gold, but he remained open to various paths to achieve those dreams.

“I feel like I didn’t really have a specific goal of making the US Ski Team for a while,” he stated.

He further explained, “I remember setting beginning-season goals with my coaches on what I want to accomplish in the next five years. It revolved around wanting to race in the World Cup and go to the Olympics. So I thought those were big goals, and then I never thought about just making the US Ski Team.”

Nonetheless, his first year on the US Ski Team was a successful stepping stone to achieving his long-term goals.

“I had good success in speed at the NorAms, and I actually had my best slalom season, which was weird that my best two disciplines were downhill and slalom,” Hunter stated. 

It has been an easy-going transition for Hunter overall as he gets acquainted with his new community at the Stifel US Ski Team. 

“There were seven of us who just made it together. So we all kind of went through the process together, and the coach that came with me last year was from Vail, so that was easy,” Hunter stated.

Goals for the 2025 Season

Hunter hopes to achieve multiple goals in the 2025 season that would secure him a spot on the speed C-Team. 

Hunter stated, “My goals are to get a podium at a NorAM speed race and a top 10 at World Juniors in downhill.” 

He also hopes to accomplish some “smaller” goals: “Get better at GS and slalom because that just helps for everything else.”

He is eager to compete and practice in various disciplines in order to enhance his skills and bring everything together for himself.

Advice for Younger Alpine Ski Racers

Hunter has departed from Ski and Snowboard Club Vail to join the Stifel US Ski Team, and he aspires to guide and inspire young athletes aiming for similar success. 

Hunter stated, “I think the biggest thing is being with people that you really enjoy being with. If you’re with people you have a hard time with, or you don’t like what you’re doing, it’s hard to get good.”

Also, he says to continue asking yourself if you truly enjoy it: “If you really enjoy it, then you can definitely achieve your goals.” 

His gratitude for his community at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and his enjoyment of the sport were evident in the story of his ski racing journey.