Another Season Begins!

Well, it's finally here!  The 2012-13 season kicks off with the NYSEF Freeride program's first day of training this Sunday Dec 2nd.  The snowguns have been pounding the hill all week and even Mother Nature has been adding in a constant stream of flurries the last few days.  Big change from last year at this time!

We will be starting out the morning in our traditional way with a short informational meeting (8:30am) for both parents and athletes before heading out on snow.  Athletes should attend the meeting geared up and ready to go on snow and any equipment issues should be addressed before the meeting.  We'll then go over program details, rules, season goals and expectations and introduce staff.  I promise to keep the athlete portion short so the kids can get on snow and then be available to answer any questions parents might have. 

Note: Saturday, the upstairs portion of the lodge will be closed starting at 9am for staff orientation/training day.  Athletes can pick up passes beforehand though and freeski/freeride on their own for the day.  Please use the downstairs locker room to store gear, backpacks, etc for the day.

If you have any questions feel free to get in touch with me via my e-mail, mikek@nysef.org .

See you Sunday!

Mike Kirchner
Freeride Program Director

Whiteface is Open!!!

Winter is here again!!! Well technically its still fall, but that almost makes the fact that Whiteface and many other eastern ski mountains are already open even sweeter!

Whiteface opening day.
Source: facebook.com/WhitefacePark

Even though the NYSEF Freeride program will not officially start until December 2^nd, almost everyday so far, freeride team members have been congregating together here on the slopes of Whiteface to shred! They make their presence known with their bright clothing and their wolf pack like riding tactics. In the early season terrain park they also gather to hike and session the features, all the time, pushing each other to progress. Let the fun begin!!!

Early Season Killington Trip

Earlier in November, 6 members of the NYSEF Freeride team ventured to Killington Mountain for two days of early season skiing. Everyone was extremely pleased to be back on snow again after a long summer and fall. The conditions were great, and then it was icing on the cake when we found out that they had a park trail with ten rail features. It was hard to notice at all that everyone had not really skied in six months. Everyone got right back to where they had left off at the end of last season. Some athletes even started to learn new tricks and progress their skills.

Put together by Jason Castle, here is an edit from the weekend:

And here is another, put together by Alex Higgins-Lopez: