Meet the SFST, Ski Racing is Alive and Thriving in Northern New Mexico

The Santa Fe Ski Team at Its Best – by Jamie Noll

The crisp air and gentle sun peek over the mountains as skiers load up their gear anticipating a fun day on the slopes. This tradition repeats every Saturday and Sunday from November to April. The 3-hour drive every weekend demonstrates the dedication of both the athletes and parents and is a testament to the excellence of the Santa Fe Ski Team organization. 

The Santa Fe Ski Team is a grassroots program that has been in operation since the ’70s. As the size of the team ebbs and flows, the team’s resiliency is a direct result of the dedication of the coaches and sponsors. Today, the team consists of over 40 athletes ranging in age from 5 to 82, emphasizing skills development and serving both young and veteran racers.  Additionally, as a non-profit, the SFST removes cost barriers for kids through scholarships and strives to be a diverse, equitable organization serving all New Mexicans. 

This is What is Great about the Santa Fe Ski Team

Want to know how solid SFST’s program is? Let’s ask the kids! 

“I love to feel the wind in my face.” Colden, aged 13. 

“I learned to ski when I was young, but there is still more to grow on and that’s what makes skiing fun.” Madeline, aged 13. 

“We do drills that you learn a lot from, but they are very fun.” Alex, aged 10. 

“My favorite is terrain parks.” Jasper, aged 6. 

“I get to go on black diamonds.” Kaylie, aged 10. 

“As a masters ski team member, I appreciate the ability of the coaches to evaluate and accurately identify things that I need to work on, as well as the support and overall inclusiveness of the program.” Kim, Masters program. 

One recurring theme is how much these kids love skiing with their friends. They encourage and learn from each other. The coaches foster an environment that balances fun with skill-building. 

The parents also have a lot to say. 

“I really appreciate the dedication of the coaches and I appreciate that they try to challenge the kids without pushing them to do anything that they are not comfortable with.” 

“I take so much delight in watching these kids grow socially, emotionally, and athletically every passing year. I can’t wait to watch them grow into their dreams. And they have big dreams!” 

As one of the coaches once said, “We may not have a big mountain, but we don’t need a lot of runs to make great skiers, just the right runs and the right coaches.” 

Web Site: www.santafeskiteam.com Facebook:FaceBook: @SantaFeSkiTeam Instagram: @sf_ski