Development

A free, live-broadcast youth ski series is redefining alpine development. The Billa Žampa Cup delivers World Cup-level production, elite inspiration, and unforgettable experiences for the next generation of racers.

Former University of Denver racer and U.S. Ski Team alumnus Trey Seymour reflects on how letting go of expectations transformed his mindset and results. In this personal essay, he shares how shifting focus from outcomes to process helped him find freedom, confidence, and the mental edge in ski racing.

Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) and Oberschulzentrum Sports Gymnasium have launched an international partnership as part of BMA’s European Programming Initiative. This collaboration establishes BMA’s new European training base in Sterzing/Vipiteno, Italy, creating year-round training, cultural exchange, and development opportunities for student-athletes from both schools.

Get ready for the 2025–26 winter season with fall and winter camps. There are plenty of great camps to choose from worldwide.

Ski racing will always carry risk, but preventable tragedies are not inevitable. From empowering coaches to raising training standards and improving emergency preparedness, the sport must shift from reactive to proactive safety. Every athlete deserves an environment where speaking up is respected, tough decisions are supported, and safety is never compromised.

Randy Pelkey has spent more than 40 years shaping U.S. speed skiing, guiding athletes and coaches from grassroots programs to the World Cup. His career spans club and academy work, four national divisions, and a pivotal role with the U.S. Ski Team, where he helped steer the program through challenges and onto the Olympic podium. From building La Parva, Chile, into a training hub to mentoring future leaders of the sport, Pelkey’s influence is unmatched. Tireless in belief and dedication, he remains the defining architect of America’s pursuit of downhill and super-G.

The Canadian women’s alpine development team enters a new era with head coach Marie-Ève Boulianne and assistant coach Leslie Firstbrook at the helm. Together, this dynamic duo is reshaping what leadership looks like in ski racing—building not just fast skiers, but confident, resilient young women.

Gogebic Community College offers a Ski Area Management Program that is dedicated to the mountain community and prioritizes making mountain sports more accessible. Learn more about their local initiatives.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has replaced its national development team with a regional system for 2025–26, aiming to develop top athletes closer to home through focused coaching, flexible selection, and reduced costs supported by new funding and long-term endowment plans.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is considering a new national policy that would pause real-time live-timing at events where all competitors are U14 or younger. The goal is to shift focus toward athlete development by encouraging racers to reflect on their experience, not just their result. After strong support during a Rocky Mountain Division trial and positive survey feedback, the proposal will go before the Alpine Competition Committee for possible ratification in May 2025.

It’s time to register for camps. For athletes, spring and summer camps are vital for improving skills, boosting speed, building strength, and creating lasting friendships and memories. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide of a range of camps around the globe.

The overall U18 National Champions were Abby Olson from Steamboat Mountain School and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), along with Fletcher Hutto from Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC). The duo made a comeback from their injuries to finish on the highest note.

Information provided by U.S. Ski & Snowboard Ryder Sarchett 2024 Junior World GS champion Photo:

It’s time to start considering camps. For athletes, spring and summer camps are vital for improving skills, boosting speed, building strength, and creating lasting friendships and memories. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide of a range of camps around the globe.

The Wilder Dwight speed series at Aspen Highlands continues to honor its namesake while developing future champions. With standout performances from Devon Phillips and Mari Renick, the event remains a vital proving ground, once won by Lindsey Vonn early in her career. Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club Alpine Director Jeff Lackie sees the venue’s potential for national expansion, reinforcing its legacy as a key stepping stone for young speed skiers.

Racers lit up Howelsen Hill at the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic Night Slalom, with festive crowds and standout performances. Mia Hunt of the University of Denver and U.S. Ski Team’s Camden Palmquist claimed victories, continuing this cherished holiday tradition of thrilling competition and community spirit.

The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic in Steamboat Springs delivered thrilling GS racing, highlighting top performances from collegiate athletes, U.S. Ski Team members, and promising juniors over two action-packed days.

Kendahl Roufa Photo: Skapare Photography & Camden Palmquist Photo: U.S. Ski & Snowboard Two Americans