*Season starts the weekend of January 7-8, 2023*
The safety of our team and guests is our highest priority at Mt. Hood Meadows. Please be advised that due to the continually evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, some Freeride team elements may need to be adapted in accordance with the latest guidance from public health officials and agencies. Please watch this page and the email you signed up with for any updates.
The Meadows Freeride Team is a multi-week program that consists of high-level coaching for skiers and snowboarders, ages 7 through High School, who seek to explore the difficult and varied terrain that Mt. Hood Meadows has to offer. All Freeride Team participants must be open to learning new techniques and exploring different terrain all over the mountain – this includes steeps, powder, trees, terrain parks, half pipe, and other variable conditions. As a member of the Meadows Freeride Team, you get to choose the length of your season; coaching sessions this season consist of 8-day, 12-day and 24-day options, with the additional option to add up to four 3-Day Freeride Camps that are held during Winter Break, Oregon Spring Break, and Washington Spring Break.
Team Ability Level Requirement
Alpine:
- Comfortable making fully-parallel turns on ALL blue terrain, groomed and ungroomed AND
- Comfortable making fully-parallel turns on ALL groomed black terrain (Showoff, Apollo, 2 Bowl, O-Ring when groomed)
Snowboard:
- Comfortable making linked toe-side and heel-side turns on ALL blue terrain – groomed and ungroomed AND
- Comfortable making linked toe-side and heel-side turns on ALL groomed black terrain (Showoff, Apollo, 2 Bowl, O-Ring when groomed)
Daily Schedule
- 8:30 - 8:45 AM - Meet with coaches on snow and split into groups
- 9 - 11:30 AM - Morning ski/ride session
- 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Lunch
- 12:30 - 3 PM - Afternoon ski/ride session
- 3 PM - End-of-day wrap with kids and parents
Meeting Area
Freeride Team member will meet coaches ON SNOW outside of the North Lodge near the base of the Stadium Express lift. Please contact the Freeride Team coaches if you are going to be late.
Skier/Rider Expectations
We are a team. Our goal as a program is to create and maintain a positive and supportive environment for progression (and have fun). The coaches, kids, and parents all play a role. We have a couple simple rules on this team:
- Be safe
- Be nice
- Have fun
In that order. We expect all members of the team to behave in a respectful manner towards each other and other guests on the mountain. Harsh language and inappropriate topics/themes do not have a place on this team.
USASA Competitions
Meadows
Meadows Freeride Team members who are ready to invest the time and effort to excel in competition have the option to do so. Our Freeride coaches are ready to help all team members reach their goals, whether those goals are to compete in USASA events or striving for a personal best outside of competition. Those who plan to participate in competitions this season should opt for as many coaching days as they can when signing up for the Freeride Team – this would include adding on 3-Day Freeride Camps to start and end the season. More information about USASA can be found at https://usasa.org/; athletes on the Meadows Freeride Team primarily compete in the Mt. Hood Series.
Skiers and snowboarders who choose to focus on competition must be comfortable clearing medium-sized jump features and straight sliding medium box features. These features can be found in Fireweed and Forest Park at Meadows.
Required Equipment
- Participation in the Meadows Freeride Team or Freeride Camps requires the purchase of an All Access Season Pass or a daily All Mountain Lift Ticket
- Most skis/snowboards will be sufficient. However, we highly recommend all mountain or freestyle twin tip skis and all mountain or freestyle snowboards
- For skiers: adult ski boots do not work with youth bindings. Make sure bindings match the boots
- Avalanche beacon/transceiver is mandatory for all athletes venturing into any gated terrain at Meadows. This terrain includes Heather Canyon, Clark Canyon, Private Reserve, and Super Bowl
For more information about the Meadows Freeride Team, please contact Ryan Colesar, Meadows Freeride Team Head Coach, at ryan.colesar@skihood.com or Peter Gavinski, Program Manager, at peter.gavinski@skihood.com.
Registration for the Freeride Team has closed.