Freeride Programme

This is an ongoing coaching programme designed by our ski instructor Sophie Norton for junior skiers aged 12 – 17 to improve the participants fundamental skiing skills. They will be introduced to a wide range of snow conditions and types of terrain and will work on tactics to deal with different skiing situations. We will also look at line selection in big mountain terrain and how we can use natural features to make the skiing as exciting as possible.

Alongside this we will educate our skiers in the use of avalanche equipment and safe methods to ski the type of terrain we are in. There will be some hiking involved however we will be within the ski area boundary at all times. Participants are encouraged to have personal goals to achieve over the season, this way we can start to tailor the experience to make sure everyone gets where they want to be in their skiing.

CV Big Mountain Programme

Price – $250 for 5 sessions.
Dates – Weekly, Sunday afternoons from 19th July – 6th September
Meet at the day-lodge at 12:30 through to 4:00 at Koroheke.

Pay for 5 sessions out of 8 to give flexibility, any extra can be purchased individually at the ticket office. We recommend participants have a mid to fat ski 80mm + under foot, avalanche tranciever, shovel, and probe. Participants should be able to ride all 3 rope tows and ski comfortably on groomed black runs.

Week 1 – Ski for first hour in different types of terrain, video analysis, start working on individual improvements in technique.
Week 2 – Keep working on technique , test improvements in more difficult terrain. Quick recap on using avalanche gear.
Week 3 – More video, compare to week 1 footage. If results are good spend the session skiing chutes looking at line selection.
Week 4 – Practise using avalanche gear (with snow safety expert if available). Looking for the aggressive line, using natural terrain features in your line.
Week 5 – Video of skiing in chutes, Have the kids assess how they think they’re lines can be improved.
Week 6 – Hike to Broken River, emphasis on safe travel and route selection. Ski BR.
Week 7 – Working drops and straight- runs into a line. Build and use a kicker if necessary.
Week 8 – ‘Rip it up, Ski all terrain as hard as possible using skills developed over the program. Transceiver races and pre comp preparation for anyone involved in the following week’s big mountain event.

For further information, or to register interest in attending these sessions, please email ski@craigieburn.co.nz. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to members first, then to non members on a first come first serve basis.

Individual Sesssions – Introduction to Big Mountain Skiing

These ski sessions are designed to give kids the technical skills needed to cope in off piste conditions. However the emphasis will be on introducing them safely to the thrill of free skiing in a big mountain environment.
Meet at Daylodge 10am through to 12am

$40 per 2hr session, first come first serve unless booked in advance. ski@craigieburn.co.nz

Skiers should be able to ride blue runs comfortably, rope tow experience is recommended but help will be provided for less experienced users.