Big Sky Ski Team

2nd Annual BSSEF Junior Avi 1 Class

Coach Kelli Rohrig says "thank you" to all of those who participated in last weekend's Junior Avalanche 1 class.  The class was so successful, an extended class for next year is already in the works.

Embedded below is a video of the "shovel race" that started the day:

Per Kelli:

Most skiers do not understand the complexity and difficulty of digging an avalanche victim out from consolidated snow. We set up the shovel races so the kids have incentive to dig faster to beat the other teams while learning what it takes to recover a buried victim.

When you see them, please say thank you to the follow ski patrolers: Kreston Rohrig (Big Sky), Bill Hoblitzel (Moonlight Basin), Kristina Whitlow (Moonlight Basin), Nancy Shell (Big Sky), Jimbo Humpries (Big Sky), Alex Bergeron (Big Sky), and Ryan Capes (Moonlight Basin).

Junior 1 Avalanche Class Offered to All BSSEF Team Members

The BSSEF Freeride team invites all BSSEF team members to participate in the Freeride team's Junior Avalanche 1 class.  This class is a based on a condensed version of an adult Avi 1, but is geared towards children and teens.  The class will cover snow analysis, safe travel in avalanche terrain, basic beacon skills, and rescue.  This is the second year we are offering this class ,which will be taught by members of the Big Sky and Moonlight ski patrols.

The class is offered free of charge, are limited in size, and will be broken up by ages.  An avalanche bacon, probe, and shovel are required.  Participants must pre-register with Kelli Rohrig, head Freeride coach, at whiteroomadventuretours@hotmail.com.

Update 1/19/10: The Junior 1 Avalanche class will be held from 10AM to 3PM on 1/31/10.  Participants should bring a lunch in their backpacks.

Purchase Raffle Tickets Today!

The BSSEF Freeride team is selling raffle tickets through 1/22/10.  The grand prize is a custom dinner with wine for six (6) people at Montana Ale Works worth $600.  Tickets cost $5 each or 5 for $20.  Contact Kelli Rohrig or any Freeride team member to purchase a raffle ticket.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will help pay for the Freeride team's Junior Avalanche Initiative (JAI).  The JAI will be offering a junior Avalanche 1 class that will be open to all BSSEF skiers free of charge.

Christmas Camp

The description of the Christmas Camp on page 6 of the 2009-2010 BSSEF Handbook is incorrect:

• The camp is scheduled to run from 12/26/09 through 1/3/10 (excluding 1/1/10, which is a day off). That's eight (8) days on the snow.
• The registration deadline is 12/20/09.

Meet the Alpine and Freeride Coaches

Head Coach Jeremy Ueland and BSSEF President James Bildahl will be hosting a series of "Meet the Coaches" events in the Mammoth Room in the Mountain Mall at Big Sky Resort:

1. Saturday, December 5th, at 12:00PM
2. Saturday, December 19th, at 9:30AM
3. Saturday, December 26th, at 9:30AM

All are welcome.  On the day of the events, the kids should meet their coaches at the Race Shack next to the Ramcharger quad at the regular time of 9:00AM.

Clarification (12/3/09): James Bildahl will only be able to attend the 12/26/09 meeting.

2nd Freeride Meet and Greet to be Held in Bozeman

In addition to the meet and greet scheduled in Big Sky, coaches Kelli Rohrig and Scott Livingston will host an informal meet and greet at Montana Ale Works in Bozeman at 5:00PM on Tuesday, 12/1/09, for current and prospective members of the freeride and nordic teams.  Please e-mail Kelli, if you are going to attend.

Freeride and Nordic Programs Meet and Greet

Coaches Kelli Rohrig and Scott Livingston are hosting a meet and greet for current and prospective Nordic and Freeride team members and their parents next Monday, November 30th, at the Hungry Moose Market in Big Sky from 5:45PM to 6:45PM.

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Freeride Team Guest Coaches in 2009-2010

In addition to coaches Kelli Rohrig and Scott Livingston, members of the Freeride team will have the opportunity to ski with several guest coaches during the coming season including Paul Herberger (longtime IFSA competitor), Jason Thompson (big mountain guide and Big Sky Resort ski patrol), and Martin Bell (four-time Olympian and top-10 World Cup downhill competitor).

Program Sign-up Night at Ophir School Tommorow

Head Coach Jeremy Ueland, other program coaches, and board members will be available during the basketball game tomorrow (Thursday, 11/12/09) from 3:30PM to 5:30PM at Ophir School in Big Sky to answer your questions and accept enrollments in all BSSEF programs (Alpine, Freeride, and Nordic).  If you miss the sign-up event, download and complete an application form and submit it with your payment per the instructions on the form.

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Alpine Equipment Ordering Event This Saturday, 11/14/09

Scott Foster has generously offered to host an alpine equipment ordering event for BSSEF members this Saturday, 11/14/09, from noon to 3:00PM at Lone Mountain Sports in the Mountain Village of Big Sky Resort.

If you've scoured the ski swaps in Big Sky and Bozeman and still need equipment for the upcoming season--particularly Alpine or Freeride competition gear--this is your best chance to get exactly what you need at a reasonable price.

Per our previous post:

• Scott will make his manufacturers' catalogs available to make it easy to see all available options.
• Participating members will, of course, have access to Scott's professional advice.
• Scott will place orders at special team prices.
• Kids will be able to make boot-fitting appointments.

A number of you indicated that you would be interested in such an event.  We look forward to seeing you at Lone Mountain Sports this weekend!