Park City GROM Program: USST Alums Lead Affordable Youth Skiing Revolution

Featured Image: Zoi Eckfeldt (yellow), Nell Nyman (multi) with Whitney Gardner, Head Women’s FIS coach selfie and Jax and Ted Ligety photo: Kjus

Building a Future on Skis: Park City’s GROM Program and the Path to Affordable Youth Skiing

Park City, Utah, is home to more elite skiers and coaches than anywhere else in the USA. Last season, the Park City Ski & Snowboard Team (PCSS) launched a program aimed at the youngest skiers—the GROM Program for 5- and 6-year-olds. The mastermind behind this initiative is Forest Carey, one of history’s most successful ski coaches. What sets this program apart isn’t just Carey’s leadership; it’s the community of Olympic-level parents and former elite ski racers volunteering to coach these young skiers.

But beyond that, Carey is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future for youth skiing in Utah while keeping the program affordable.

A Vision from the Top: Forest Carey’s Inspiration

Forest Carey’s love for skiing runs deep, but his two children, Trudy and Anderson, inspired the creation of the GROM Program. “The goal was simple: Get kids skiing together,” Carey said. What started as a way to get local kids out on the slopes quickly developed into a community-driven program to build a solid foundation for young skiers.

Carey didn’t just recruit kids—he reached out to his U.S. Ski Team and elite ski racing community, bringing in children and their parents to build the program. “We are trying to teach skiing and build a grassroots skiing community,” Carey emphasized.

Expanding Opportunities for Young Skiers

The GROM program for 5—and 6-year-olds and the SKILLZ n’ DRILLZ program for 7—and 8-year-olds evolved from the SHREDDERS program, which has successfully existed for several years. SHREDDERS serves 7—to 10-year-olds and introduces athletes to alpine, Nordic, cross-country, and freestyle/freeski fundamentals. The success of SHREDDERS showed the need for a more extended program focused on alpine skiing, which led to the development of these 11-week programs targeting younger skiers.

Tommy Eckfeldt, the Athletic Director for Performance Sports at Park City Ski & Snowboard, supported Carey’s vision from the start. “There was a real bottleneck in the community for youth ski programs,” Eckfeldt said. “Once Forest came up with the idea, it filled up almost immediately. We knew the demand was there.”

Eckfeldt’s daughter is also part of the program, and like many parents, he enjoys its community aspect. “It’s not just about teaching skiing; it’s about creating a positive, fun environment where kids can learn and explore.”

Community Parents Turned Coaches:

The GROM Program’s reliance on parent coaches who are former professional skiers makes it unique. Ted Ligety, Steven Nyman, Joe Dunn, Adam Cole, Jenny Lathrop Buchar, and Libby Ludlow are among the elite athletes volunteering their time. These parents bring their considerable skills and passion to the program. Additionally, they understand that fun and enjoyment are crucial to nurturing young talent.

From Superstar to Youth Coach: Ted Ligety’s New Role

What would a World Cup and Olympic superstar do after retiring from competition if they live in Park City? For Ted Ligety, winner of five World Cup GS titles, two Olympic gold medals, and five World Championships, the answer is simple: He volunteers to coach the GROM youth program.

Ligety’s involvement in the GROM Program has given him a way to stay connected to the sport. He and his son, Jax, were members of the 2024 GROM Program and Ted has embraced the chance to coach alongside other parents. “It’s been amazing to be part of this as both a parent and a coach,” Ligety said. “Watching the kids learn and improve while just having fun has been one of the best parts of my winter.”

While Ligety’s main focus after retiring has been on product and business development for his ski racing equipment company, SHRED, he dedicates significant time to skiing with the GROM and SKILLZ n’ DRILLZ kids. “It’s about creating an environment where the kids can enjoy skiing, progress naturally, and love the sport as much as we do,” he added.

Affordability Through Volunteer Power: $840 for the Season

A standout feature of the GROM Program is its affordability. Skiing is often viewed as a high-cost sport, but PCSS’s community-driven model keeps expenses manageable. The entire GROM Program costs only $840 for the season, and that includes the Utah Olympic Park pass—making it one of the most accessible youth ski programs in the area.

“Keeping costs down was crucial to the vision,” Eckfeldt said. “Last year, only Forest and I were paid staff. Everyone else was a volunteer. That sense of community and the parent contribution makes this program possible.”

By relying on parent volunteers, the program stays accessible to more families while offering top-tier coaching from some of the best skiers in the world.

SKILLZ ’n’ DRILLZ: Building on PCSS Success

The SKILLZ ’n’ DRILLZ program started alongside the GROM Program last season. These two initiatives were created to fill the need for high-quality youth programs. The SKILLZ n’ DRILLZ team focuses on 7—and 8-year-olds. The program also focuses on skill development while emphasizing fun and low-pressure environments.

“We’re not doing formal drills,” Carey explained. “We set obstacle courses, so the kids are having fun chasing their buddies, allowing them to develop naturally, just by skiing with their friends. They don’t realize they’re improving because they’re having so much fun.”

With various terrain features at UOP, the kids can work on everything from jumps to turns while enjoying their time on the snow. “We’re creating an environment that helps them get better at skiing without them feeling like it’s work,” Carey said.

A New Home at Utah Olympic Park

This season, the GROM Program found a new home at Utah Olympic Park (UOP). It offers ideal terrain and night skiing. Last year, the program was hosted at Woodward, but PCSS needed more space because the program was expanding. “Woodward was perfect and fun. But, at UOP, we have an easier environment to keep under control, especially for younger kids,” Carey explained.

The UOP offers one particular advantage: Parking is right next to the slope. “You can park just steps from the snow,” Carey said. That makes it easier for parents to get their kids on the hill quickly.” This convenience adds to the program’s appeal to coaches and families juggling work and school schedules.

The UOP’s facilities, including night skiing, provide flexibility for after-school programs, helping families balance work, school, and skiing. “The lights at UOP make evening sessions possible, creating the possibility of offering an affordable option for parents,” Eckfeldt noted.

A Vision for the Future: Sustainable and Local

Carey aims to create a sustainable model for ski racing in Utah, focusing on local training and competition to reduce costs. “We can train and compete here in Utah without chasing races across the country,” Carey said. “If we build a strong community with enough competition, we don’t need to travel.”

By maintaining a high coach-to-athlete ratio and involving talented volunteer parents, Carey ensures a safe and personalized experience while minimizing costs. “With parents involved and keeping costs low, we’re on the right track,” he added.

Keeping Skiing Accessible

Carey aims to make skiing accessible to middle-class families in Park City. “Skiing is expensive, but we’re working to change that,” he said.

Eckfeldt agreed: “UOP’s support allows us to focus on more than just building elite athletes. We’re embedding skiing into the community.”

The Future of Skiing in Park City

Park City’s GROM Program represents a new vision for skiing in Utah. Under Forest Carey’s leadership, more children are falling in love with the sport. As the GROM and SKILLZ n’ DRILLZ programs expand, they remain focused on community, affordability, and fun.

“We’re not just building better skiers,” Carey said. “We’re building a stronger, more inclusive ski community and are proud of that.”

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