Beech Mountain Academy (Youth Sports Team)

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Registration is open from Oct. 3rd, 2023 through Dec. 15th, 2023

Beech Mountain Academy is an inclusive team of young athletes (ages 5-18) dedicated to ski racing, free skiing, and snowboarding. The Academy is supported by a non-profit 501-C organization, BMSEF, that is managed by the families that make up the team. Without the help of the parents of these young athletes, our programs would not be possible.

We have a passion for winter sports. Through programs that instill values of goal setting, discipline, sportsmanship, work ethic, determination, commitment, and fun, our athletes are prepared to compete in local, regional, and national events. Beech Mountain is affiliated with the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), the Southern Alpine Racing Association (SARA), as well as the High Country Junior Race Series (HCJRS). Beech Mountain Academy is inclusive of all athletes with the desire to learn and grow.

Fees for the 2023-2024 Beech Mountain Academy are $425 per athlete. Lockers are available to rent from the Team Room for $65. Team Room lockers are accessible during practice hours only, unless approved by a coach.

To Register: Registration begins on October 3rd and ends firmly on December 15th. Click HERE to get registered by purchasing “Beech Mountain Academy Coaching Fees” from the online store. Development Phases are listed below, please check before registering. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS.

If you are interested in the team and would like to learn more, please join us on Saturday, December 2nd from 9 am until 3 pm for our MEET & GREET.  For those who want to see what it is all about on the snow, we will host two open practices, Friday, December 8th from 6 pm until 9 pm and Saturday, December 9th from 8 am until 12 noon.  Please call 828-387-2011×241 if you are interested in attending either of these complimentary practices.

The Schedule

We have open practice every Friday night from 6 pm-9 pm, and team practice every Saturday from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Alpine racers can practice with Lees-McRae College ski/snowboard team on Wednesday nights.

For a full list of events for Beech Mountain Academy 2023-2024, click HERE.

Please be aware: The schedule is subject to change based on how many athletes sign up for Beech Mountain Academy. Your coach will contact you to share your official schedule.

Volunteer Commitment

All parents are expected to fulfill a volunteer commitment to the team. Volunteer commitments include volunteering at HCJRS races to be held at Beech Mountain Resort.

Development Phases by Discipline:

Alpine Ski Racing Development Phases

o Phase 2: Can make parallel turns and stops on green terrain, working on parallel on more advanced terrain. Comfortable on all slopes at Beech Mountain. Can ride the lift without an adult.

o Phase 3: Parallel on all terrain, working on carved turns.

o Phase 4: Can carve turns on any slope at Beech Mountain. Working on clearing slalom gates.

o Phase 5: Carves turns in a course, taking a very aggressive line, and clearing slalom gates.

Freestyle Snowboard Development Phases

o Phase 2: Linking turns, comfortable on green and blue terrain. Maybe hitting in-ground features and small jumps.

o Phase 3: Comfortable on all terrain at Beech Mountain. Working on carving turns and hitting small or in-ground features as well as small-medium jumps

o Phase 4: Can carve turns and hit medium sized features and jumps, doing basic tricks such as grabs and 180s.

o Phase 5: Hitting large features and jumps, doing 360s and other intermediate/advanced tricks.

o Phase 6: Can hit any feature in the Beech Mountain Park, working on advanced and inverted tricks.

Freeski Development Phases

o Phase 2: Can make parallel turns and stops on green terrain, working on parallel on more advanced terrain. Comfortable on all slopes at Beech and on small jumps or in-ground features.

o Phase 3: Parallel on all terrain, working on carved turns and small-medium jumps and features.

o Phase 4: Can carve turns and hit medium sized features and jumps, doing basic tricks such as grabs and 180s.

o Phase 5: Hitting large features and jumps, doing 360s and other intermediate/advanced tricks.

o Phase 6: Can hit any feature in the Beech Mountain Park, working on advanced and inverted tricks.

Snowboard Racing Development Phases

o Phase 2: Linking turns, comfortable on green and blue terrain.

o Phase 3: Comfortable on any terrain at Beech Mountain, working on carving turns.

o Phase 4: Can carve turns on any terrain at Beech Mountain, may be familiar with snowboard racing.

o Phase 5: Competitively snowboard racing, has a good understanding of what line to take when racing in gates.

  For more information please email [email protected].

Scholarship Opportunities Available!

The scholarship application is currently closed. Please revisit this link in September 2024 for information on the release of new scholarship opportunities.