KSEF Programs · Winter 26/27

U16 Race Team

Ages 14 to 15 · $4,400 · Kirkwood, California

Ages	Ages 14 to 15
Training days	Saturdays and Sundays, 0900 to 1500 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). School-break weekdays run the same hours.
Attendance goal	At least 80% of scheduled sessions
Season dates	Team training December 5, 2026 to April 11, 2027; Far West racing and championships run into late April
Price	$4,400 tuition for Winter 26/27. Season pass and U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership are separate.
Pass requirement	A valid 2026/27 season pass for every training day: Epic Pass, Tahoe Local Pass, or Kirkwood Pass (Kirkwood only). Passes are bought from Kirkwood and Epic, separate from tuition. Pass links below.
Races	Far West Race Series (SL, GS, SG, speed); Western Region and national events for qualifying athletes. Dates and venues are on the 26/27 Calendar.

Tuition current as of October 11, 2026. Training dates, meeting points, and changes go to registered families through TeamSnap.

Get your Kirkwood pass

Every KSEF athlete needs one of these three passes. They are sold by Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Epic, not by KSEF.

Epic PassKirkwood plus every Vail Resorts mountain. No blackout dates.Tahoe Local PassKirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar. Blackout dates apply.Kirkwood PassKirkwood only. No blackout dates.

Check blackout dates before you buy. The Tahoe Local Pass has blackout dates on Nov 27 to 28 and Dec 26 to 31, 2026, and Jan 16 and Feb 13 to 14, 2027. Several of those are KSEF training days, including Holiday Training Camp and MLK weekend. Before buying, returning and new members are encouraged to check with our Program Administrator, Dana Keith, to match their program dates to the right pass. Email Dana or see Epic's blackout date list.

Night Training needs a pass too. Night Training is a separate add-on, and every Night Training athlete needs an Epic Pass, Tahoe Local Pass, or Kirkwood Pass. Lift tickets do not cover Night Training. Tahoe Local Pass holders lose Night Training on Tuesday, Dec 29 and Wednesday, Dec 30, 2026, both blackout dates.

Holiday Training Camp only: a multi-day Kirkwood lift ticket covering the camp days also works. Questions on passes? Ask Dana.

Program overview

For experienced racers ages 14–15 progressing from U14 or an equivalent program. Groups have a maximum of seven athletes per coach. Refine Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G, and speed-event skills through focused coaching and Far West racing. Athletes may qualify for Western Region and national projects.

Skills needed before joining

U16 is an elite competitive race program. Athletes must arrive with extensive multi-discipline race experience, proven Far West results, and the technical and physical readiness to compete at the regional and national level. Athletes must meet the following minimum standards:

Expert-level skiing on all terrain at Kirkwood in all conditions without exception.
Proven competitive results in SL, GS, and SG at the Far West level.
Advanced proficiency in gate training at race speed across all technical and speed disciplines.
Ability to independently manage all race-day logistics: course inspection, warm-up, equipment preparation, and post-race self-assessment.
Strong competitive maturity: ability to use imagery, self-coach between runs, apply tactical feedback in real time, and perform under high-pressure environments.
Year-round commitment to physical conditioning and athletic development.
New athletes must complete a pre-season on-snow skills assessment and coach evaluation.

Athletes not yet ready for U16 should consider the KSEF U14 Alpine Race Team (ages 12 to 13). Reach out to us, and we will help you find the right path.

Training mix

U16 training is the most advanced and individualized program KSEF offers. Gate work dominates, supported by tactical freeskiing and a structured conditioning program that prepares athletes for the physical demands of elite-level racing.

55 to 65% Gate Training, Race Tactics, and Discipline-Specific Technique. Advanced, high-intensity gate sessions across SL, GS, SG, and introduction to speed events. Training emphasizes technical precision at race speed, tactical adaptability, and the ability to execute under competitive pressure. Imagery and mental performance tools are integrated into training.

20 to 30% Coached Freeskiing and Technical Refinement. Directed, purposeful skiing across Kirkwood's most challenging terrain. At the U16 level, every run has a purpose.

15 to 20% Conditioning, Dryland, and Race Preparation. Year-round physical conditioning is expected. Pre-season dryland training runs September through November. In-season conditioning supports recovery and race readiness. Advanced race-day preparation, including course inspection strategy, mental performance, and imagery, is integrated throughout.

Racing

U16 athletes compete in the Far West Race Series across SL, GS, SG, and speed disciplines. Athletes with qualifying results may advance to Western Region Championships, Tri-Divisional Championships, and national events. Athletes with exceptional results may qualify for regional and national projects.

Race travel is coordinated by coaches. Race schedules are published on the KSEF calendar. Families are responsible for transportation to race venues.

On-mountain race facility

KSEF plans to use its new on-mountain race facility for the 2026/27 season.

Athlete progress

Every athlete is seen, coached, and challenged at the right level. New athletes complete a pre-season on-snow skills evaluation and coach assessment. Each athlete receives individualized development goals aligned with their competitive objectives, ongoing coaching feedback, a mid-season progress review, and an end-of-season assessment documenting competitive development and the pathway forward.

Schedule & training days

The U16 season runs December through late April, with Far West racing and championship events extending into spring. Weekend training is Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. School break weekdays follow the same schedule. Pre-season dryland training runs September through November. Athletes should aim to attend at least 80% of scheduled sessions. At the U16 level, this is not a suggestion. Competitive results are built on training volume, and every session contributes directly to race-day performance.

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 breaks. Coaches communicate with families through KSEF's TeamSnap and direct email. Any training changes due to weather or conditions are communicated promptly.

Equipment

U16 is an elite, multi-discipline, FIS-standard race program. All equipment must receive prior approval from KSEF coaches. Families are responsible for providing:

Race Skis. Specialized racing skis for SL, GS, and SG. Both competition and training pairs are recommended.

Race Boots. Properly fitted race boots with a flex rating of 90 to 120.

Poles. Race-specific SL and GS poles equipped with pole guards.

Helmet. FIS-certified MIPS race helmet with chin guard and face guard. Required at all times.

Shin Guards. Mandatory for all SL training and competition.

Back Protector (Recommended). Recommended for added safety, particularly in speed events.

Speed Suit. A speed suit with FIS certification patch is required for racing.

Goggles. Goggles with interchangeable lenses for varied conditions.

Gloves. Durable waterproof ski gloves or mittens.

Layers. Appropriate layers for Kirkwood conditions. Dress for the mountain, not the start gate.

Ski Backpack and Water Bottle. Recommended for training sessions.

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.