TEAM AFTON PROGRAMS INFO
Below are detailed descriptions of Team Afton’s programs. The "U" designation refers to an age grouping. Example: U12 is an athlete who is 10 or 11 as of 12/31/24. For the upcoming season U12s will be born in 2013 or 2014.
The age-specific programs appear based on birthdate when you register, or in the drop-down menu on your mobile platform.
Keep in mind when registering:
- Program fees do not include a season pass. Please visit Vail / Epic to purchase your pass for the season. An Afton Alps or Epic Local pass is a good option for our athletes.
- All participants also need to visit USSS to sign up for an Alpine Competitors License (Race Teams) or a General Membership (Training and High School Teams). Our program fees do not include race fees or lift tickets for races. For more information about USSS membership, see their Alpine Membership Page
Team Afton Race Team - U8-U21 & FIS
Our signature training and racing program to pursue full potential.
Team Afton Race Team is our most popular program and is the right program for athletes wanting to achieve their full potential this season and beyond.
We maximize training and racing opportunities during the season while also providing the flexibility needed so our athletes can balance competitive ski racing with other activities.
This flexible program competes in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association race circuit in Minnesota and across the Central (Midwest) division with some athletes advancing/traveling to Colorado and other mountain states to compete. U18 and older athletes can compete in multiple levels of competition including in FIS races which are the most competitive races offered in the Central Division. Athletes at the U16 and above level can also work with the Program Director to seek opportunities to compete in other Regions during the season. These opportunities are typically in Colorado, but they can occur in Canada, Far West, and Eastern States as well. Races are available most weekends and some weekdays throughout the season.
What to Expect
- Our full training and race program tailored to athletes by individual and age level
- 5-day Holiday Camp (approx. 3-8pm daily at Afton Alps)
- Training up to four nights per week (Monday – Thursday) typically 6:30 – 8:30pm with training starting as soon as snow conditions allow (typically mid-December) and continuing into March
- Weekend training training available a minimum of 6 weekends per season. Offered Saturday or Sunday afternoon / evening from 4-7pm
- Approximately 120-160 hours of on-snow training / racing per season.
- Racing in the season long, Minnesota Cup & Planet Cup (visit www.skifast.com to learn more), and other regional races (coaching included; lift tickets, entry, and racing association fees are extra)
- Opportunities to qualify for and compete in regional championships in the Central Division and the Junior Championships in Colorado for U14 athletes and older
- A positive, supportive, team environment with focused input from expert coaches
- Access to dryland training for age qualifying athletes beginning in September/October and running through mid-November. Additional fees apply for certain optional dryland programs (more details on Dryland page).
Ages: 6 to 20+ (age as of 12/31/24)
Skill Level: Strong intermediate or above skiers able to ski comfortably and in control on all hills at Afton Alps.
Maturity Level: Our coaches love to help, but our younger athletes must be able to board a chairlift independently, as well as manage their own equipment and personal breaks (or be accompanied by an adult to practice). We do not have a check-in system to monitor our young athletes coming and going from practice. 6 year-olds must be accompanied by an adult to ride the chairlift.
Pricing:
- U8-U12 (YOB 2013-2019) $2000
- U14 (YOB 2011/2012) $2700
- U16+ (YOB 2008 or earlier) $3200
- FIS (YOB 2006 or earlier) included with U16+ participation
REGISTER
Pricing includes access to our FIS program; there are no additional fees to compete at the FIS level though there may be additional fees for coach travel to events outside of Minnesota.
Additional advanced practices may be offered at an additional fee during the season.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard competition membership is required and must be purchased separately at https://my.usskiandsnowboard.org
Team Afton will recommend a race schedule for each group of athletes once the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association race schedule is announced in our region (Region 1) at www.skifast.com. Participants will also need a Region 1 membership.
Registration Deadline: 7 days prior to the start of the program; must be enrolled to participate in Dryland training.
If you have any questions please email info@teamafton.com or call Program Director Tony Olin: 612-819-0186
Rising Stars Race Team - U8-U12
Our specialized introduction to racing and the advancement of skills in younger athletes.
The Rising Stars Race Team is a unique program for emerging racers who want to train regularly and race a limited schedule of 4 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association races during the year. This is the right bridge for a younger skier ready to step-up from the ARC program run by the Afton Alps ski school, but not yet ready to commit to the full race program.
We recommend participation in this program for no more than 2 years before a transition to the race team. Many young athletes will want to consider the Race Team sooner if they are seeking more training and competition opportunities.
What to Expect
- Program includes 5-day Holiday Camp and up to two nights per week (including our Rising Stars designated night of Wednesday)
- Training on Wednesday night dedicated Rising Stars training (arrive 5:30pm; ski with program director or another coach beginning at 6pm; gate training from 6:30-8:30pm), and 1 additional night per week (select from Sat./Sun., Mon., Tues., Thurs.); starting when conditions allow (typically December)
- Training typically held 6:30-8:30pm, with half hour early extension on Wednesdays for directed free ski. At least 6 weekend practices are offered either at Afton on Sunday afternoon / evening from 3-7pm or 4-7pm, or on occasional Saturdays at other ski areas.
- Approximately 90-110 hours of on-snow training / racing per season.
- 4 US Ski & Snowboard races consisting of GS and SL racing. Races usually run Saturday and Sunday and are hosted at regional resorts (coaching included; lift tickets and entry fees are extra).
- A positive, supportive, team environment with focused input from expert coaches.
- Access to dryland training for age qualifying athletes beginning in September/October and running through mid-November. Additional fees apply for certain optional dryland programs (more details on Dryland page).
**If more than four races are attended under this program, there is the rising stars race add-on fee of $75 per day for up to 3 days. After attending a 4th additional day of racing (eight days total), you will be charged for full race program (U8-U12 team) at the regular rate minus fees paid up to that point.
Ages: 6 to 11 (age as of 12/31/24)
Skill Level: Strong intermediate or above skiers, who are able to ski comfortably and in control on all hills at Afton Alps. No previous racing experience required.
Maturity Level: Our coaches love to help, but our younger athletes must be able to board the chairlift and manage their own equipment and personal breaks (or be accompanied by an adult to practice). We do not have a check-in system to monitor our young athletes coming and going from practice. 6 year-olds (and younger) must be accompanied by an adult to ride the chairlift per Vail Resorts at Afton Alps policy.
Pricing:
- U8 (YOB 2017 and later) $1250
- U10 (YOB 2015/2016) $1550
- U12 (YOB 2014/2013) $1725
**Training ONLY option available for $200 less than each respective price, however this option would not include Christmas Camp or racing. If you are on the training team and decide to race, the same Rising Stars race add-on rules would apply as written in the "What to Expect" section above, however the race add-on fee would be $95 per race attended.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard competition membership is required and must be purchased separately at https://my.usskiandsnowboard.org
This program is limited to support for the designated Rising Stars races. Team Afton will announce the race schedule for Rising Stars once the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association race schedule is announced in our region (Region 1) at www.skifast.com.
Limited Enrollment: register early
Registration Deadline: 7 days prior to the start of the program; must be enrolled to participate in Dryland training.
If you have any questions please email info@teamafton.com or call Program Director Tony Olin: 612-819-0186
U14+ Training
Recommended for high school athletes seeking the highest level of high school racing success, without participating in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard association weekend race program.
Our Training Team offers full access to our training programs including our 5-day holiday camp. This is a great way to join Team Afton and get full access to our training if participating in the weekend race program is not something you are seeking.
What to Expect
- 5-day Holiday Camp (approx. 3-8pm daily at Afton Alps from December 27 – 31)
- Training up to four nights per week (Monday – Thursday) typically 6:30 – 8:30pm with training starting as soon as snow conditions allow (typically mid-December) and continuing into March
- 1 day of weekend training a minimum of 6 weekends per season, offered Sunday afternoon / evening from 3-7pm or 4-7pm at Afton, or occasional Saturdays at other ski areas.
- Over 115 hours of on-snow training per season
- A positive, supportive, team environment with focused input from expert coaches
- Access to dryland training for athletes beginning in September/October and running through mid-November. Additional fees apply for certain optional dryland programs (more details on Dryland page).
Ages: 12 – 20 (age as of 12/31/24
Skill Level: Strong intermediate or above skiers able to ski comfortably and in control on all hills at Afton Alps. Some previous gate training recommended.
Pricing:
- U14 Training (YOB 2012/2011) $1750
- U16+ Training (YOB 2010 and earlier) $1950
**Training program race add-on fee from $95 per day for up to 3 days. After attending a 4th day of racing, you will be charged for full race program participation at the undiscounted rate minus fees paid up to that point.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard general membership is required and must be purchased separately from U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U14 Training Team members are encouraged to participate in our Paul Augustine Junior Championship race on President’s Day with no additional coaching fees.
There is an additional, coaching fee of $95/day for attendance at any additional US Ski & Snowboard races so participants wanting more racing experience should join our Full Race Team. Please call to discuss options.
Limited Enrollment: register early
Registration Deadline: 7 days prior to the start of the program; must be enrolled to participate in Dryland training.
Weekend + One Training Team
Interested in improving your race skills for high school competition, but can't come so often throughout the week? This program was developed for you.
This is a drop-in program and only allows for training Sunday and one other night. It does not include our early-season holiday camp though participants can register for that separately if space is available. We encourage you to first look at our new Training Team which includes access to our early season holiday camp as well as 4 available night trainings throughout the season plus Sunday training.
What to Expect
- A season-long program
- Choose up to 2 nights of training per week: 1 day of weekend training a minimum of 6 weekends offered Sunday afternoon / evening from 3-7pm at Afton, and occasionally on Saturdays at other ski areas, paired with one week night practice each week, Monday-Thursday (6:30-8:30).
- 50+ hours of on-snow training per season
- Priority placement in December holiday camp (additional fee)
- Opportunity to participate in optional dryland training beginning in September through November (details on Dryland page)
- A positive, supportive, team environment with focused input from expert coaches.
**Our Weekend + One Training team does not contain its own race schedule. Participants in this program are typically supplementing their training / racing in a high School programs. This is a "training-only" program.
Ages: 12 to 19
Skill Level: Intermediate or above skiers able to ski or ride comfortably and in control on all hills at Afton Alps. Some previous gate training experience recommended.
Pricing:
- Weekend + One Training Team $1250
U.S. Ski & Snowboard general membership (approx. $30) is required for all participants (our team insurance is through US Ski & Snowboard and requires all participants to be members) and must be purchased separately at https://my.usskiandsnowboard.org
Limited Enrollment: register early
Registration Deadline: 7 days prior to the start of the program; must be enrolled to participate in Dryland training.
If you have any questions please email info@teamafton.com or call Program Director Tony Olin: 612-819-0186
Schedule Changes, Venue Changes, Extra Fees, and Refunds:
Team Afton is a community and our team fosters agility and flexibility as we deal with changes that our out of our control (weather, snow, venues, race schedules, staffing issues, pandemics, etc.).
Our approach is to do our best to follow the schedule laid out now and refined at the start of the season, but there will be changes. Please be flexible as these changes occur.
Occasionally, as we seek better snow or look for open venues to train at, there will be optional training opportunities that require you to purchase a ticket to a different hill or even potentially secure overnight accommodations. This is in addition to the requirements of attending races. We do our best to focus training options at Afton Alps, when possible, but we also work to find training where we can as conditions and hill availability varies.
We do not provide refunds of early season deposits or of any other fees, once paid. As a community, we have to invest together in staff and equipment so providing refunds is not possible except in extraordinary circumstances. If interested in protecting your investment, TeamSnap does provide insurance at an additional cost during checkout.
If you have any questions please email clubadmin@teamafton.com or call / text Program Director Tony Olin: 612-819-0186
