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KSEF U10 Alpine Race Program - 4006 | FY26/27 Season
Program Overview
KSEF is a ski race team. The U10 Alpine Race Team is the next step for young racers ready to move from development into competition. Designed for athletes aged 7 to 9, and ideally graduates of our Jr. Devo program, U10 is where the racing gets real. Athletes train in small ability-based groups with a maximum 7:1 athlete-to-coach ratio, building on the all-mountain foundation established in Jr. Devo and applying it to the specific demands of alpine ski racing: gate training, race tactics, discipline-specific technique, and competitive race experience.
This is a race team, and we train like one. But we are also KSEF, and that means we develop the whole athlete: building technical racing skill on the hill, fostering confidence and resilience off it, and preparing young racers for progression into the KSEF U12 Team. Our athletes compete in both the Far West Race Series and the Tahoe Race Series, gaining real race experience on courses across the region.
At KSEF, every family belongs.
Skill Prerequisites
This is not a development program. U10 is a competitive race team. Athletes must arrive with a solid skiing foundation, ideally from the KSEF Jr. Devo program or an equivalent development program. Athletes must meet the following minimum standards:
Strong parallel skiing on intermediate and advanced terrain at Kirkwood.
Independently load and unload all chairlifts at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
Ski off of Kirkwood Chairlifts #5, #6, #10, #11, and #7 without assistance.
Prior gate training experience or completion of the KSEF Jr. Devo program.
Participate in a full day of team activities (up to 6 hours) without parent assistance.
Demonstrate race-ready maturity: ability to follow coach direction, manage personal equipment, and be a supportive teammate.
New athletes must complete a pre-season on-snow skills assessment and coach evaluation.
Not quite ready for U10? Our Jr. Devo program (ages 6 to 9) builds the all-mountain foundation and introduces racing concepts that prepare athletes for U10 the following season.
Why Kirkwood: The Best Mountain in the Sierra to Build a Racer
If you end up at Kirkwood, it is because you made a deliberate decision. You chose the mountain that sits at 7,800 feet in a horseshoe canyon deep in the Sierra Nevada, higher than any other ski area in Tahoe, with terrain that tilts toward challenge and snow that other resorts can only talk about. You chose the mountain where legitimately good skiing is the main event, where the terrain builds skiers instead of flattering them, and where a race team has been training athletes for over four decades.
That is exactly why it is the best place in the Sierra to develop a young racer.
Storms funnel into the horseshoe canyon from the Pacific and get stuck, swirling for days. The locals call it the K-Factor: the geographic reality that when the rest of Tahoe is waiting for snow, Kirkwood is buried in it. With 2,300 acres of skiable terrain, 2,000 feet of vertical drop, an average annual snowfall that regularly exceeds 350 inches, and a terrain mix that tilts heavily toward challenge (38% advanced, 20% expert), this mountain produces fundamentally stronger skiers and sharper racers than any resort in the region. It teaches athletes to read terrain, adapt to variable conditions, find their balance in real snow, and build the kind of independent confidence and technical foundation that translates directly to the race course.
For U10 athletes, that advantage compounds. The all-mountain skills built at Kirkwood give our racers a technical edge that shows up the moment they step into a start gate anywhere in the region.
The KSEF Community: Your Athlete's Tribe
Deep roots. Strong community. Bright futures. That is not a slogan. It is what four decades of race team families have built at Kirkwood.
Kirkwood has always been a place where the community is the mountain and the mountain is the community. There are no crowds to disappear into. Coaches know every athlete by name. Families show up for one another through race days and storm days alike. This is not a drop-off program at a mega-resort. This is a race team family.
When your athlete joins U10, they are joining a tribe that stretches from Jr. Devo through FIS. The friendships made on the race hill and on the chairlift carry through seasons and years. The parents you meet become your people. The coaches become mentors your athlete trusts and looks up to. One Team. One Dream. That is how we ski, how we race, and how we show up for each other at Kirkwood.
FY26/27 Seasonal Training Mix
U10 training builds directly on the all-mountain foundation from Jr. Devo and introduces the structure, discipline, and tactical thinking of competitive alpine racing. The mountain remains the curriculum, but the race course becomes a bigger part of the classroom.
50 to 60% All-Mountain Freeskiing and Skill Development. Coached, directed skiing across Kirkwood's terrain with an emphasis on technical refinement: edge control, pressure management, line selection, and the athletic movements that produce fast, efficient turns. Great racers are great skiers first.
30 to 40% Gate Training and Race Tactics. Structured gate sessions in GS and introductory SL, building comfort, confidence, and tactical awareness in the race course. Athletes learn race etiquette, start procedures, course inspection, and the mental skills that competitive racing demands.
5 to 10% Dryland and Conditioning. Age-appropriate dryland training focused on balance, agility, core strength, and injury prevention.
Racing Opportunities
U10 athletes compete in both the Far West Race Series and the Tahoe Race Series, providing regular opportunities to apply their training in a real competitive environment.
Race travel is coordinated by coaches. Race schedules are published on the KSEF calendar. Families are responsible for transportation to race venues.
New for FY26/27: On-Mountain Race Facility
This season marks a milestone. After years of planning and investment, KSEF will be operating out of our new on-mountain race facility at Kirkwood: a permanent home on the hill that upgrades every aspect of our program and positions KSEF to compete at the highest levels in the region. For U10 athletes, it means training in a purpose-built race environment alongside the full KSEF race team.
Athlete Assessment and Progress Tracking
Every athlete is seen, coached, and challenged at the right level. New athletes complete a pre-season on-snow skills evaluation and coach assessment before group placement. Each athlete receives personalized development goals, a mid-season written progress report, and an end-of-season skills card documenting their racing development and readiness for the U12 program.
FY26/27 Schedule and What to Expect
The U10 season runs December through early April, with racing extending through the final Far West race in spring, subject to snow conditions. Weekend training is Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. School break weekdays follow the same schedule, with dates published on the KSEF calendar. Pre-season dryland training opportunities will be communicated before the season. Athletes should aim to attend at least 65% of scheduled sessions. At the U10 level, consistency is critical: race skills are built through repetition, and every training day counts.
On training days, athletes arrive fully dressed and ready to ski at the designated meeting point. Coaches organize groups and begin with a briefing. Athletes are supervised at all times, including snack breaks. The day includes a mid-morning snack break (parents provide a healthy pocket snack and water) and a lunch break. Coaches communicate with families through KSEF's TeamSnap and direct email. Any training changes due to weather or conditions are communicated promptly.
FY26/27 Registration and Pricing - Earlybird Registration ends on May 31st.
Prices increase with each registration window and will continue to climb through November 2026. The best pricing is available now. Once a window closes, it does not reopen.
Season Pass: All athletes must hold a valid season pass for Kirkwood for all training days: Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Tahoe Local Pass, Tahoe Value Pass, or Kirkwood Only Pass. Lift tickets and day passes are not accepted. A season pass is a separate purchase, not included in tuition.
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Membership: All athletes must hold a current U.S. Ski and Snowboard membership in the appropriate age category for the season. This is required for participation in sanctioned race events.
Payment plans are available. Need-based financial assistance is available through KSEF, because every family belongs on this mountain. Contact the Program Administrator for pricing details, payment plan options, pass guidance, or membership questions.
Required Equipment
U10 is a race program, and the equipment requirements reflect that. All equipment must receive prior approval from KSEF coaches before on-snow training. Families are responsible for providing:
Race Skis. One pair of multi-event or longer SL-specific race skis. Recommended length to the athlete's forehead. Owned or seasonal lease (no daily rentals).
Race Boots. Snug-fitting race boots designed for alpine racing, properly sized for flex and fit.
Poles. Straight ski poles without pole guards.
Helmet. MIPS ski helmet with chin/face guard, meeting current safety standards. Required at all times.
Shin Guards. Mandatory for all Slalom (SL) training and racing.
Goggles. Ski goggles suitable for varying weather conditions.
Gloves. Waterproof ski gloves or mittens.
Ski Pants. Waterproof ski pants.
Layers. Appropriate layers for Kirkwood conditions. Dress for the mountain, not the parking lot.
Speed Suit (Optional). A speed suit is optional but recommended for racing.
Equipment Guidance: Consult KSEF coaches before purchasing equipment. Proper fit and functionality are critical. We encourage families to explore ski swaps and used equipment markets for growing athletes.
New for FY26/27: KSEF x Helly Hansen Official Team Uniform Program
For the FY26/27 season, KSEF is proud to announce an official uniform partnership with Helly Hansen. Our leadership team spent countless hours working alongside both the local and main Helly Hansen teams to design and build the best kits for our athletes and coaches: purpose-built, race-ready, and unmistakably KSEF.
When your athlete shows up on the mountain or at the start gate in the new KSEF x Helly Hansen kit, they will look like they belong to something serious. Because they do. This partnership ensures that our look, our feel, and our brand will be consistent for the foreseeable future, across every program from Jr. Devo to FIS. One Team. One Dream. And now, one kit to match.
Early Order Incentive: 10% Off Before May 31st. Purchase your full kit or individual items (jacket, pant, or mid-layer) before the May 31st deadline and receive 10% off the item or the kit. This is an introductory deal to launch the partnership, and it will not last. Prices will increase after the deadline, as will program pricing.
Visit the KSEF Uniform Pages at kirkwoodskiteam.com for current pricing and kit details, or contact Kylese or Dana directly for the latest pricing information.
Contact and Registration
Since 1984, this foundation has been built by people who love this mountain and believe in its young people. Ready to take the next step?
Kylese Markt, Athletic Director: Kylese@kirkwoodskiteam.com
Dana Keith, Program Administrator: Dana@kirkwoodskiteam.com
Sign up for the monthly KSEF newsletter for the latest updates and season information.
Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit | Training Racers Since 1984
Deep Roots. Strong Community. Bright Futures.
One Team. One Dream.
Program Overview
KSEF is a ski race team. The U10 Alpine Race Team is the next step for young racers ready to move from development into competition. Designed for athletes aged 7 to 9, and ideally graduates of our Jr. Devo program, U10 is where the racing gets real. Athletes train in small ability-based groups with a maximum 7:1 athlete-to-coach ratio, building on the all-mountain foundation established in Jr. Devo and applying it to the specific demands of alpine ski racing: gate training, race tactics, discipline-specific technique, and competitive race experience.
This is a race team, and we train like one. But we are also KSEF, and that means we develop the whole athlete: building technical racing skill on the hill, fostering confidence and resilience off it, and preparing young racers for progression into the KSEF U12 Team. Our athletes compete in both the Far West Race Series and the Tahoe Race Series, gaining real race experience on courses across the region.
At KSEF, every family belongs.
Skill Prerequisites
This is not a development program. U10 is a competitive race team. Athletes must arrive with a solid skiing foundation, ideally from the KSEF Jr. Devo program or an equivalent development program. Athletes must meet the following minimum standards:
Strong parallel skiing on intermediate and advanced terrain at Kirkwood.
Independently load and unload all chairlifts at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
Ski off of Kirkwood Chairlifts #5, #6, #10, #11, and #7 without assistance.
Prior gate training experience or completion of the KSEF Jr. Devo program.
Participate in a full day of team activities (up to 6 hours) without parent assistance.
Demonstrate race-ready maturity: ability to follow coach direction, manage personal equipment, and be a supportive teammate.
New athletes must complete a pre-season on-snow skills assessment and coach evaluation.
Not quite ready for U10? Our Jr. Devo program (ages 6 to 9) builds the all-mountain foundation and introduces racing concepts that prepare athletes for U10 the following season.
Why Kirkwood: The Best Mountain in the Sierra to Build a Racer
If you end up at Kirkwood, it is because you made a deliberate decision. You chose the mountain that sits at 7,800 feet in a horseshoe canyon deep in the Sierra Nevada, higher than any other ski area in Tahoe, with terrain that tilts toward challenge and snow that other resorts can only talk about. You chose the mountain where legitimately good skiing is the main event, where the terrain builds skiers instead of flattering them, and where a race team has been training athletes for over four decades.
That is exactly why it is the best place in the Sierra to develop a young racer.
Storms funnel into the horseshoe canyon from the Pacific and get stuck, swirling for days. The locals call it the K-Factor: the geographic reality that when the rest of Tahoe is waiting for snow, Kirkwood is buried in it. With 2,300 acres of skiable terrain, 2,000 feet of vertical drop, an average annual snowfall that regularly exceeds 350 inches, and a terrain mix that tilts heavily toward challenge (38% advanced, 20% expert), this mountain produces fundamentally stronger skiers and sharper racers than any resort in the region. It teaches athletes to read terrain, adapt to variable conditions, find their balance in real snow, and build the kind of independent confidence and technical foundation that translates directly to the race course.
For U10 athletes, that advantage compounds. The all-mountain skills built at Kirkwood give our racers a technical edge that shows up the moment they step into a start gate anywhere in the region.
The KSEF Community: Your Athlete's Tribe
Deep roots. Strong community. Bright futures. That is not a slogan. It is what four decades of race team families have built at Kirkwood.
Kirkwood has always been a place where the community is the mountain and the mountain is the community. There are no crowds to disappear into. Coaches know every athlete by name. Families show up for one another through race days and storm days alike. This is not a drop-off program at a mega-resort. This is a race team family.
When your athlete joins U10, they are joining a tribe that stretches from Jr. Devo through FIS. The friendships made on the race hill and on the chairlift carry through seasons and years. The parents you meet become your people. The coaches become mentors your athlete trusts and looks up to. One Team. One Dream. That is how we ski, how we race, and how we show up for each other at Kirkwood.
FY26/27 Seasonal Training Mix
U10 training builds directly on the all-mountain foundation from Jr. Devo and introduces the structure, discipline, and tactical thinking of competitive alpine racing. The mountain remains the curriculum, but the race course becomes a bigger part of the classroom.
50 to 60% All-Mountain Freeskiing and Skill Development. Coached, directed skiing across Kirkwood's terrain with an emphasis on technical refinement: edge control, pressure management, line selection, and the athletic movements that produce fast, efficient turns. Great racers are great skiers first.
30 to 40% Gate Training and Race Tactics. Structured gate sessions in GS and introductory SL, building comfort, confidence, and tactical awareness in the race course. Athletes learn race etiquette, start procedures, course inspection, and the mental skills that competitive racing demands.
5 to 10% Dryland and Conditioning. Age-appropriate dryland training focused on balance, agility, core strength, and injury prevention.
Racing Opportunities
U10 athletes compete in both the Far West Race Series and the Tahoe Race Series, providing regular opportunities to apply their training in a real competitive environment.
Race travel is coordinated by coaches. Race schedules are published on the KSEF calendar. Families are responsible for transportation to race venues.
New for FY26/27: On-Mountain Race Facility
This season marks a milestone. After years of planning and investment, KSEF will be operating out of our new on-mountain race facility at Kirkwood: a permanent home on the hill that upgrades every aspect of our program and positions KSEF to compete at the highest levels in the region. For U10 athletes, it means training in a purpose-built race environment alongside the full KSEF race team.
Athlete Assessment and Progress Tracking
Every athlete is seen, coached, and challenged at the right level. New athletes complete a pre-season on-snow skills evaluation and coach assessment before group placement. Each athlete receives personalized development goals, a mid-season written progress report, and an end-of-season skills card documenting their racing development and readiness for the U12 program.
FY26/27 Schedule and What to Expect
The U10 season runs December through early April, with racing extending through the final Far West race in spring, subject to snow conditions. Weekend training is Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. School break weekdays follow the same schedule, with dates published on the KSEF calendar. Pre-season dryland training opportunities will be communicated before the season. Athletes should aim to attend at least 65% of scheduled sessions. At the U10 level, consistency is critical: race skills are built through repetition, and every training day counts.
On training days, athletes arrive fully dressed and ready to ski at the designated meeting point. Coaches organize groups and begin with a briefing. Athletes are supervised at all times, including snack breaks. The day includes a mid-morning snack break (parents provide a healthy pocket snack and water) and a lunch break. Coaches communicate with families through KSEF's TeamSnap and direct email. Any training changes due to weather or conditions are communicated promptly.
FY26/27 Registration and Pricing - Earlybird Registration ends on May 31st.
Prices increase with each registration window and will continue to climb through November 2026. The best pricing is available now. Once a window closes, it does not reopen.
Season Pass: All athletes must hold a valid season pass for Kirkwood for all training days: Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Tahoe Local Pass, Tahoe Value Pass, or Kirkwood Only Pass. Lift tickets and day passes are not accepted. A season pass is a separate purchase, not included in tuition.
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Membership: All athletes must hold a current U.S. Ski and Snowboard membership in the appropriate age category for the season. This is required for participation in sanctioned race events.
Payment plans are available. Need-based financial assistance is available through KSEF, because every family belongs on this mountain. Contact the Program Administrator for pricing details, payment plan options, pass guidance, or membership questions.
Required Equipment
U10 is a race program, and the equipment requirements reflect that. All equipment must receive prior approval from KSEF coaches before on-snow training. Families are responsible for providing:
Race Skis. One pair of multi-event or longer SL-specific race skis. Recommended length to the athlete's forehead. Owned or seasonal lease (no daily rentals).
Race Boots. Snug-fitting race boots designed for alpine racing, properly sized for flex and fit.
Poles. Straight ski poles without pole guards.
Helmet. MIPS ski helmet with chin/face guard, meeting current safety standards. Required at all times.
Shin Guards. Mandatory for all Slalom (SL) training and racing.
Goggles. Ski goggles suitable for varying weather conditions.
Gloves. Waterproof ski gloves or mittens.
Ski Pants. Waterproof ski pants.
Layers. Appropriate layers for Kirkwood conditions. Dress for the mountain, not the parking lot.
Speed Suit (Optional). A speed suit is optional but recommended for racing.
Equipment Guidance: Consult KSEF coaches before purchasing equipment. Proper fit and functionality are critical. We encourage families to explore ski swaps and used equipment markets for growing athletes.
New for FY26/27: KSEF x Helly Hansen Official Team Uniform Program
For the FY26/27 season, KSEF is proud to announce an official uniform partnership with Helly Hansen. Our leadership team spent countless hours working alongside both the local and main Helly Hansen teams to design and build the best kits for our athletes and coaches: purpose-built, race-ready, and unmistakably KSEF.
When your athlete shows up on the mountain or at the start gate in the new KSEF x Helly Hansen kit, they will look like they belong to something serious. Because they do. This partnership ensures that our look, our feel, and our brand will be consistent for the foreseeable future, across every program from Jr. Devo to FIS. One Team. One Dream. And now, one kit to match.
Early Order Incentive: 10% Off Before May 31st. Purchase your full kit or individual items (jacket, pant, or mid-layer) before the May 31st deadline and receive 10% off the item or the kit. This is an introductory deal to launch the partnership, and it will not last. Prices will increase after the deadline, as will program pricing.
Visit the KSEF Uniform Pages at kirkwoodskiteam.com for current pricing and kit details, or contact Kylese or Dana directly for the latest pricing information.
Contact and Registration
Since 1984, this foundation has been built by people who love this mountain and believe in its young people. Ready to take the next step?
Kylese Markt, Athletic Director: Kylese@kirkwoodskiteam.com
Dana Keith, Program Administrator: Dana@kirkwoodskiteam.com
Sign up for the monthly KSEF newsletter for the latest updates and season information.
Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit | Training Racers Since 1984
Deep Roots. Strong Community. Bright Futures.
One Team. One Dream.
Secure Your Savings: Pre-Season Pricing Now! (Lowest prices guaranteed. Prices increase July 1st, 2025. Don't miss out!)