U.S. Ski & Snowboard Announces Changes To Alpine Development Program

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced changes to its Alpine Development program effective in the 2025-26 season. The new model seeks to enhance competitive performance at all levels through more regional programming, which will better prepare more athletes for success on the World Cup.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard will take a broad approach with youth development opportunities to inspire and educate the younger generation. This program will focus on developing junior athletes who typically specialize in one discipline to excelling in multiple disciplines, designed to build more athletes toward elite rankings and eventually become contenders on the World Cup.

As athletes rise in talent, U.S. Ski & Snowboard will provide focused FIS performance opportunities for those identified as elite performers. In addition, named Regional Development Teams consisting of the best 14-21 years old in the country will have regional, national and international training and racing opportunities. Having removed the D Team in October from the criteria, these Regional Development Teams serve to support elite development athletes seeking to ultimately make the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. The key to the new approach is flexibility, allowing entry points at various ages and levels at any time based on recent results.

Key points of the new development strategy:

• Focused National Team: Naming elite athletes who achieve podium results at Stifel Success NorAm Series, Europa Cups and World Cups.
• Performance-Based Regional Development Teams: Top-performing development athletes will be named by region.
• Expanded Regional Programming: Offering regional, national and international training and racing opportunities to the top athletes of each region.
• Robust Regional Coaching: Each region will have a dedicated men's and women’s Regional Development Team coach, two of whom will serve as national development coaches to ensure collaboration between other regional teams and up into the national team.
• Flexible Athlete Pathways: Athletes will be invited into regional programming based on recent performance at various levels and ages throughout the year.
  Emphasis on Fitness: Strength and conditioning support from U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s High Performance team.
• Sports Medicine Support: Assistance for injured Regional Team athletes, including return-to-snow programs.
• Pathway to the National Team: High-performing athletes will be elevated to the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.
  Support for Collegiate Skiing: College athletes will receive supplemental elite level training within their respective regions.
• Elite Training Venues: U.S. Ski & Snowboard will leverage its position to secure top-tier training locations.
  Cost Reduction for Top Athletes: Financial support will be provided to high-performing athletes.
  U.S. Ski & Snowboard Regional Rebranding: A stronger and more unified identity for U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s regional programs.

The criteria for the Regional Teams has been posted here and the general programming for each respective age group (U16, U18, U22) can be found here.

“We are very excited about these changes and want to say thank you to the club and program leaders who have provided valuable insight and feedback as we’ve developed this program. We will continue to seek to improve and fine-tune our efforts and always welcome feedback. Together, as a nation, we can provide best-in-class ski racing experiences and opportunities for the champions of tomorrow.” said -Chip Knight, Alpine Development Director, U.S. Ski & Snowboard

“To be successful on the World Cup, we needed to re-look at our Development program. By injecting coaches and capital into the regions and providing performance-focused programming for the top development athletes, we will yield a denser pool of multi-disciplinary athletes making it to the top.”  added -Anouk Patty, Chief of Sport, U.S. Ski & Snowboard