Snowboard Development Team
The Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team has a history of producing some of the best riders in the world.
Since the Snowboard Team originated, Team members have regularly moved on to the U.S. Snowboard Team and competed at top-level international events including the Olympics. Today the Team trains alongside the U.S. Team and other national teams several times a year here at Mammoth. Our coaches have a close rapport with the U.S. Coaches and are able to keep abreast with the latest changes and developments in the sport. Over the years the Vans Unbound USASA Series has produced talent such as Olympic athlete Mason Aguirre, Eric and John Jackson and most recently Greg Bretz who has secured a spot on the US Team at the age of 17.
The Team consists of different age categories. Within these categories are different skill levels and focus based groups. The coaches will put the riders in groups best suited to each individual's skill level and focus. Riders may be moved from one group to another at times and groups may be mixed occasionally.
While on the team they will interact with Coaches, Teammates, Parents and Event Organizers and Mountain Employees. They will learn to organize themselves and their time, handle money and equipment, and to act as a representative of Mammoth Mountain and the Community. They will be taught to respect other people and property, to be a part of a Team and develop Team Spirit. Success will be viewed as achievement and improvement rather than a placing on the result board.
Mini Shredders 6 to 8yr Olds
This Team is for the young riders who are working to develop the fundamental snowboarding skills in a safe and fun, "Team" environment. Their training will include the events of Halfpipe and Slopestyle, and they will also be introduced to Boardercross, Slalom and Giant Slalom. About 50% of their training time will be spent freeriding around the mountain looking for powder, trees and steeps, and cruising the groomed runs. Freeriding is important for attaining mileage necessary to practice and refine the skills the coaches have taught. Their competitions are the USASA Unbound events at Mammoth and June Mountain and potentially USASA Nationals.
The Mini Shredders Team will begin training on Saturday, November 21st. They will ride from 9:00am to 3:00pm weekends and holidays. The last day of training will be March 28th.
Minimum skill requirement for the Mini Shredder Team - The athlete should be able to link smooth consistent turns from the top of Chair 1 down Broadway with a solid basic stance without stopping. They must also be able to ride the groomed runs off Chairs #3 and #5 comfortably and should be attempting fakie turns on flatter terrain. All Riders must meet the minimum riding ability of the Team and display some independence such as being able to do up their own bindings and meet a spots on runs designated by their coach. All new Team members must pass a snowboarding ability assessment with a coach prior to receiving their uniform and joining the group.
Snowboard Development Team
The Development Team is typically for the younger riders who are working to develop the fundamental snowboarding skills in a safe and fun, "Team" environment. Their training will include the events of Halfpipe and Slopestyle, and they will also be introduced to Boardercross Slalom and Giant Slalom. About 50% of their training time will be spent freeriding around the mountain looking for powder, trees and steeps, and cruising the groomed runs. Freeriding is important for attaining mileage necessary to practice and refine the skills the coaches have taught. Their main competitions are the USASA Unbound events at Mammoth and June Mountain and potentially USASA Nationals. All Riders must meet the minimum riding ability of the Team. The Development Team will be broken into groups relevant to skill level and competition focus.
The Snowboard Development Team will begin training on Saturday, November 21st. They will ride from 9:00am to 3:00pm weekends and holidays, and beginning January 14th 2:00 to 4:00 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays. This team finishes on April 18th.
Minimum skill requirement for the Development Team - The athlete should be able to link smooth consistent turns from the top of Chair 1 down Broadway with a solid basic stance without stopping. They must also be able to ride the groomed runs off Chairs #3 and #5 comfortably and should be attempting fakie turns on flatter terrain. All new Team members must pass a snowboarding ability assessment with a coach prior to receiving their uniform and joining the group.