Camelback Ski Team Program

This program is designed for the serious racer who wishes to participate in the competitive United States Ski Association Sanctioned State and Regional events. The USSA is the national development base for the US Ski Team.

Camelback offers a unique opportunity for your athlete in that its racing staff is made up of two graduates from the National Ski Coaches Academy, several NCAA and USCSA former college racers, as well as USSCA and PSIA certified staff members.

The program is offered to all athletes who wish to pursue a higher level of skiing and ski racing. To qualify for this program you must have had former racing experience as a USSA competitor, NASTAR regional or national qualifier, recognized school or ski school program competitor, or a graduate of the Camelback Race Development Program.

Each age group has its own coaching staff which amounts to a 6:1 ratio of athletes to coach. Limited space is available in this program so we recommend all fees be submitted by Nov. 22, 2009 to assure a spot on the team.

We also offer The CST Development Team (Formally Snow Cats): Nine week program for the learn to race athlete: January 2010 – March 2010. The Camelback Ski Team and the Camelback Ski Team Development Programs are under the supervision of the Mountain Race Department. The combined Race Staff brings years of competitive race experience and coaching expertise to Camelback Ski Area. The coaching staff consists of USSCA level I, II, and III certified coaches as well as PSIA I, II, and III certified staff. Some of our coaches hold both upper level PSIA and USSCA certifications. The Camelback Ski Team has produced racers who have excelled at Eastern Regional Races and gone on to excel at the college levels. This program is geared for skiers (8-19) who can comfortably ski the entire mountain, including all Black Diamond trails. This program is a full season program that includes a Christmas Camp offering. Primarily a competitive and travel this program athletes are assigned to coaches (see age classes) for the season. This format allows us to monitor progress and assure continuity. For program participants additional Thursday and Friday night training is available from early January to mid February. Skiing skill development, race technique, course tactics, and equipment maintenance are all part of the program. Video sessions are also an integral part of the teaching and training. $599.00 plus season pass for the season.

Training times: Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Optional Thursday and Friday evenings 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Jan. - thru Feb. dates to be announced.

Training Levels:
Categories
J 4-5 ages 8-12
J 3 ages 13-15
J 1-2 ages 16-18

Each age group has its own coaching staff which amounts to a 6:1 ratio of athletes to coach.
This is primarily a travel program in which coaches will accompany and coach athletes at races. It is the responsibility of the parents to get the athlete to and from the event.
A mountain release, USSA license and release, PASEF and PARA membership are required to participate in this program.
Limited space is available in this program so we recommend all fees be submitted by Nov. 22nd to assure a spot on the team. Payments can be made at the Guest Services at Camelback, please indicate to the cashier that the payment is for the Camelback Ski Team.

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF REGARDING REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT INFORMATION
The Future Stars Development program is designed for youngsters 6 to 14. This is a nine-week program for children who ski blue square trails and wish to improve their technique, build self-confidence, and enjoy a challenge skiing experience. Much like the “Team” program these young athletes will be assigned to the same instructor / coach for the nine week (Saturday and Sunday) sessions. Learning is promoted during the five hours of daily coaching / instruction and supervised skiing. As the season progresses the youngsters will be introduced to the fundamentals of gate training and timed racing. By skiing various terrain this program is designed to improve a youngsters skiing skills, it gives them an opportunity to learn race technique and gives them an opportunity to ski with new friends who share the same interests.

Program begins January 2010

Nine Weekends: $450.00  

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF REGARDING REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT INFORMATION
Gus Picariello
Camelback Program Director: Gus is retired Professional Educator, teacher and coach. With over 30 years of ski coaching and other sports at the high school level, Junior college level as well as 18 years as a summer ski camp director/coach. A former attendee and graduate of the United States Ski Coaches National Academy he holds both PSIA and 300 Level Coaches Certification. He has also been active in coach’s education in the east serving as a clinician and examiner for coach’s education. A past member of the Eastern Ski Association Development Committee, Eastern Alpine Committee, and State ACC Chair he continues to be active in PARA. In addition to his ski credentials he holds a Level 4 Technical Delegates License and is active in local, high school, and college officiating.

Jack Marhefka
Assistant Program Director: Jack an attendee and graduate of the National Ski Coaches Academy, Jack holds a Level 300 Coaches Certification. A graduate of the University of Vermont he has more than 20 years experience as a ski coach and racer. Jack has coached at a number of summer ski camps and is presently the Head J-3 Coach at Camelback.

Kelsey Newell
Born and raised in Lake Tahoe, NV/CA she has skied and competed at all the major far west resorts. A member of the Kirkwood Ski Team ski team Kelsey skied at both the USSA and FIS levels (Junior Olympics, Devo and Tech Series, etc.) She also skied for her local high school, Douglas High School. A graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno she holds a B.S. in Medical Science and Exercise Therapy. She has coached J1-5 for Kirkwood Ski Team in California while in college and immediately after. A Club coach (2001) she is working on completing her Level 100 Certification. Kelsey also lived in Torino, Italy in 2004. She is currently working for Hopkins Distribution Co. in Bethlehem PA, as Operations manager for East Coast facility. J1-2 Women’s Coach

Shawn Schneider
Shawn grew up racing in PARA and then went to New Hampshire to Saint Anselm College. While there he made the Ski team and where he skied for 4 years. He was the number one male on the college team his junior year. For 3 years, while he was racing for Saint Anselm, he also coached High School Teams at Pats Peak Ski Area in NH. Shawn has been coaching for 8years and has been involved in competitive racing for 24 years. USSCA Certified Shawn is presently involved in finance. J1-2 Men’s Coach

Joe Messina
Joe is currently the assistant J3 coach. He is USSCA Certified with 20 plus years coaching and ski teaching experience. Joe is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University. Joe also races in an adult race league. J-3 Coach

Keith Dickerson
Keith grew up in upstate NY he raced USSA and High School where he participated in the Empire Games. Keith is a graduate from Penn State University where he played soccer. Presently Keith is a Professional Educator and Soccer Coach at the high school level in the Pocono’s. Keith is the present J4-5 Head Coach






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