Generally recommended for athletes ages 7-10 years old. Designed to build basic downhill skills across all mountain terrain, 6 week athletes are introduced to the fundamentals of ski racing. All of our programs are led by enthusiastic coaches who encourage athletes to love the sport of alpine skiing through a variety of games and drills. Athletes will learn to pole plant, side slip, skate, edge, and ride the moguls. 6 week Athletes spend about 10%-15% of their time training gates.

Minimum Requirements:

MARA is not a “learn to ski” program. Athletes must be able to load and unload lifts unassisted and comfortably ride the lifts by themselves. They must also be able to ski all blue square runs on Mt. Ashland. Additional requirements include making linked parallel, or mostly parallel turns in both directions at a consistent speed, with the ability to perform a hockey stop safely.  Preferably, athletes will be skiing with poles upon entering the program.  If these skills are beyond your athlete, we recommend registering with Mt. Ashland's Snowsports School!

• 6 week Saturday only sessions
• 6 week Sunday only sessions

Upon completing the 6 week program, athletes can extend to a 9 or 12 week program.

Recommended for skiers aged 8-12 years old.  Designed to further develop alpine ski skills across all mountain terrain, 9 week athletes refine their downhill racing fundamentals. Perfecting their pole plant and transitions, side slip, skating, edging and carving, and riding the moguls. Development athletes spend approximately 20% of their time training in gates.

• 9 week Saturday only class
• 9 week Sunday only class

Upon completing the 9 week program, athletes have the option to continue the season, with a pro-rated fee, in an age and skill appropriate full season program.

• 12 week Saturday OR Sunday $615
• 12 week Saturday + Sunday sessions $1,050

Holiday Camp is complimentary for all 12 week athletes!

The Race program consists of two levels of training, Regional Race and USSA/FIS Race, each designed to refine and enhance the athlete’s skills and knowledge of the sport.  The Race program is developmentally best for athlete’s ages 10-18 years old.  Our athletes train and compete in Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G and Down Hill.

Race athletes will spend about 25%-35% of their time training in gates, depending on developmental level.  The developmental activities are still heavily focused on free skiing and skill development, while introducing structured technical gate training.  The Regional Race Teams will ski the entire mountain, including steeps, moguls, powder, trees, jumps and Slalom and Giant Slalom race skills.

The Regional Race program serves a wide range of skiing abilities, with an increased focus on cross training, goal setting, planning, and equipment. The coaches work closely together to evaluate and accommodate different ski and race levels. The program is for skiers ranging from little racing experience as well as those athletes with several years of racing behind them.  The majority of time is spent in directed free skiing, with incremental increases in gate training. Giant Slalom is the main focus of all gate training, with a gradual increase in Slalom gate training.

Race Competition at this level is primarily regional at Mt. Ashland, Willamette Pass, Mt. Bachelor, and Mt. Shasta.  Far West regional championship race is also available for qualifying athletes.

USSA / FIS Race U14-U18:

The U14s,  U16s, and U18s will spend more time dedicated to gate training (approximately 35%-45%) and focus on developing solid racing technique and teaching course tactics . Time spent training each of the disciplines becomes more balanced. New elements are added, such as increased technical training, more detailed goal setting, performance planning, equipment, video analysis, and timed training runs.

The U14s, U16s and U18s train in Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G and the athletes are expected to arrive at training in good athletic shape and prepared to work with their equipment in excellent condition. Dry land training is a major component of this program and participation is highly recommended.  Free skiing emphasis is on hard, fast skiing in challenging terrain. Following the USSA model, free skiing will still be a vital part of this program and coaches will utilize our terrain to aid in athletic skill and mental development. While the program still provides a fun, social environment for the athletes, they will learn to work harder to improve and achieve pre-set goals.

The U16s and U18s are very focused and serious about their ski racing. Training sessions will be customized for each athlete and the focus is on refining skills to the highest level.

9 weeks of training, athletes ski from 6:00-8:00 pm. This program is designed to give MARA racers additional training in a controlled environment.  Athletes will hone their Slalom skills in preparation for local and regional events.  This is open to any athlete that is able to ski independently on Mt. Ashland during night skiing (without coach supervision outside the training course).

*must be enrolled in a 6, 9, or 12 week MARA program.

The MARA Masters Race program is for anyone that has graduated high school, ages 18-100+!  Focus is on gate training while improving fundamental skills.  The availability of this program is dependent on enrollment.  No previous race experience is required.

Schedule:

• 9 weeks Thursday nights

Athletes ski from 6:00-8:00 pm

Must be 21 years old to register. Helmets required. Friday Nights from 6:00 - 8:00PM, see schedule for details.

Proudly sponsored by the Rogue Ski Shop, Skout Taphouse & Provisions, and Common Block Brewery!

$50 per person entry fee, max 8 persons per team. Racers get two official runs per night, and may take them at any time during the race window. Mulligans (do overs), can be purchased on site for $5 per run. 

Four combined race times count towards each team’s cumulative score each night:  fastest male, fastest female, plus the next two fastest on the team. Teams must have representation from both genders each night in order to score times for the overall championship.  Participants who are unaffiliated with a team will be placed on existing teams with open roster slots. Prizes will be awarded for fastest team and individual performances at our closing ceremony at Skout Taphouse & Provisions ( date and time tbd). 

Grab your gear, your friends, and come on up and get after it! Cheers!