NEW THIS SEASON!

CCMS FREERIDE

Take your skiing or snowboarding beyond the gates and explore the full mountain.

The CCMS Freeride Program is designed for advanced athletes ages 13+ who want to build their skills across steeps, trees, moguls, powder, natural features, jumps, park, pipe, and varied terrain.

Led by Andy Hofer on the alpine side and Matt Voegtle on the snowboard side, Freeride gives athletes the opportunity to push their skills, develop confidence and creativity, and learn to read and navigate the mountain in new ways.

Freeride practices will not run at the same time as MS/HS Alpine practices. Instead, Freeride will be scheduled on the same training days as Alpine, but during the opposite half of the day. This schedule will allow athletes to participate in both programs without adding another separate training day to their week.

Training will primarily take place at Copper Mountain on Saturdays or Sundays, depending on the Alpine schedule.

Skiers and snowboarders welcome!

❊ FAQs

Freeride Program Questions

  • Freeride is all about exploring the mountain beyond traditional race courses. Athletes will develop skills for navigating steeps, trees, moguls, powder, natural features, jumps, park, pipe, and changing snow and terrain.

  • Both! Freeride is open to alpine skiers and snowboarders. Athletes will train in their chosen discipline while learning alongside and from one another.

  • The program is designed primarily for high school-aged athletes. Athletes must be at least 13 years old as of December 31 and have the skill level, maturity, and confidence needed to safely navigate advanced terrain.

  • This is an advanced/high-skill program. Athletes should be comfortable riding a wide variety of terrain and conditions and be confident exploring challenging terrain throughout the mountain.

  • No. The program is open to athletes outside of the existing Alpine and Snowboard programs.

    Current CCMS Middle School and High School Alpine athletes and CCMS Snowboard athletes receive a reduced program fee.

  • Yes! One of the goals of the program is to give athletes the opportunity to participate in both. Freeride practices will not run at the same time as CCMS Middle School or High School Alpine practices. The schedules will be coordinated and alternated throughout the season.

  • Training will primarily take place at Copper Mountain. Athletes are responsible for obtaining their own Copper Mountain pass.

  • Athletes will need appropriate freeride skis or a snowboard and a helmet. Freeride equipment can differ from a traditional GS or slalom setup.

    Additional equipment requirements will be communicated to families before the season begins.

  • Reach out to CCMS. Because this is an advanced program, we want to make sure the program is an appropriate fit for each athlete based on their skill level, maturity, and ability to confidently navigate advanced terrain.

  • Alpine racing focuses on performance within a defined race course. Freeride gives athletes the opportunity to explore a much wider range of terrain and conditions while developing skills such as line selection, terrain management, creativity, and decision-making.

    The two disciplines also complement each other, which is why we’ve structured the schedule to allow athletes to participate in both.