September 26, 2023
Dear PASEF Athletes, Parents and Coaches,
On behalf of the PASEF Board, we would like to welcome you to the 2023-24 season! Registration is now open! Thanks to VP Gabe Smith, we will use TeamSnap to handle all registrations, payments and communications throughout the season. Please register at https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/381636. (For any technical issues with registration, please contact TeamSnap at (303) 476-7296.)
2021-22: Transparency, Communication and Involvement
In September 2021, we launched the race season with a theme for the first time: “Transparency, Communication and Involvement.” We made a concerted effort to over-communicate with parents and athletes, we welcomed and encouraged participation in every facet or our organization, and we operated with openness and transparency. This marked the beginning of our transformation as an organization.
2022-23: Year of the Coach
Last season’s theme was “The Year of the Coach.” We celebrated the final season of our beloved Head Coach, Gus Picariello, who co-founded our program more than three decades ago. And after implementing significant pay raises for the entire coaching staff, we expressed our gratitude to the coaches on Coach Appreciation Day.
2023-24: PASEF 2.0
We are proud to launch the 2023-24 season with “PASEF 2.0.” Kevin Malkin (Head Coach and Alpine Director) and Keith Dickerson (Training Coordinator) will lead us in the next phase of our journey as we seek to modernize and improve what is already an excellent program.
This season, we plan to develop and implement a more disciplined, organized and cohesive approach to our training and racing programs. In lieu of the Race/Alpha/Bravo framework, our Ski Race Program will now consist of the Competition Team and Discovery Team. Discovery replaces Alpha/Bravo, and Discovery athletes will be encouraged and expected to compete in USSS races alongside the Competition Team.
On training days, senior coaches Joe Amato and Ian Lipton will make rounds from group to group to ensure consistency and quality in training, in accordance with the lesson plans and coaching standards set forth by Kevin and Keith.
For the Ski Development Program, longtime head coaches Ted Satterthwaite and Dan Rusk will continue their successful development of future racers. Ted and Dan will be given full rein to reshape the program, and they will collaborate closely with Kevin and Keith to fortify a steady pipeline of new athletes for the Ski Race Team.
During the season, our staff coaches will communicate with parents and athletes early and often through TeamSnap, and lesson plans and training schedules will be thoughtful, consistent and coherent.
This is just a narrow preview of the season to come. We are very excited to kick off the season, and we hope you are, too! And please join us in congratulating Kevin and Keith on their new roles!
(A separate communication will follow to preview the Snowboard season.)
I. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM/FEE
For our newer members: We are a non-profit organization of volunteers, and we are independent of Camelback Mountain. We are NOT a ski school, and our Board members, volunteers and coaches are NOT customer service. We are parents dedicated to the development of our athletes in the sport of ski and snowboard racing. When you join the PASEF community, you are making a commitment to do your part to make the program better for all of our kids.
The success of our organization is wholly dependent on volunteers. And volunteering has never been more important than it is now, as we transition to PASEF 2.0 under new leadership. Kevin and Keith, and our kids, need our help.
Most of you will remember that historically, in addition to registration fees, we required each family to submit a check for a specified amount at the beginning of each season. Parents who volunteered a minimum of 10 hours during the season would have their checks returned at season-end; those who preferred to pay the volunteer fee in lieu of their time would have their checks deposited.
This season, we will require each family to submit a check for $300 before training begins. The same rules apply: If you volunteer a minimum of 10 hours during the season, we will return your check; if you prefer to pay the volunteer fee, we will deposit your check at the end of the season.
There are many volunteer opportunities, and you do not need any skiing or snowboarding experience to help ensure a great season for our kids. Details will follow.
II. REGISTRATION PROCESS
A. First, register with USSS.
Prior to registering with PASEF, all athletes, parents and coaches must register with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard (USSS) for the 2023-2024 season. This is required for insurance coverage, which we obtain through the national governing body. You can register online at https://usskiandsnowboard.org/. Early-registration discount ends October 20.
Athletes on the Ski Race Team (including the Discovery Team) and Snowboard Race Team must register as “Competitors” in their respective discipline.
Athletes in the Development programs and parent volunteers should register as “General Members” or “Volunteers” (as applicable) unless they are required to obtain a higher class of membership (e.g., Alpine Officials).
B. Then, register with PASEF.
Register online at https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/381636. (For any technical issues with registration, please contact TeamSnap at (303) 476-7296.)
You cannot register without a USSS registration number (see above). Program participation is on a space-available basis, and there has been a high level of pre-season interest in all of our programs. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot and take advantage of the early-registration discount.
PASEF coaches, please contact Kevin prior to registering for the 2023-24 season at headcoach@pasef.org.
III. SKI TEAM INFO AND PRICING
A. Ski Race Team.
PASEF’s Ski Race Team is designed for expert skiers competing in local, statewide and regional USSS-sponsored events. Membership on the Race Team is competitive and by invitation only, based on an athlete’s performance against objective criteria established by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard, as determined by our senior coaching staff.
Preseason training begins with a 6-day camp between Christmas and New Year’s. Regular training is held on weekend days from late December through late March, with optional Friday evening sessions from 6:00PM - 8:00PM during peak race season.
There are two divisions within the Ski Race Team. The Competition Team comprises those racers who are ready and willing to compete in USSS-sanctioned events. The Discovery Team comprises racers who are still developing certain key skills. Discovery athletes are members of the Race Team and train on the same schedule as the Competition Team. Discovery athletes are encouraged and expected to compete in USSS races alongside the Competition Team. Coaches will continuously evaluate Discovery athletes for promotion to the Competition Team.
Program Costs (season pass not included):
Until October 20: $950 Training Fee plus $200 PASEF
Dues After October 20: $1150 Training Fee plus $200 PASEF Dues
B. Ski Development Team.
The Ski Development Team represents the future of the Ski Race Program. The Development Program is open to skiers 6 to 12 years of age who can comfortably ski intermediate trails (those marked with blue squares), are capable of getting on and off ski lifts independently, and demonstrate an interest in becoming competitive ski racers.
Starting this season, we are lowering the minimum age for the Development Team from 7 to 6 in order to stay competitive with other programs that accept athletes as young as 5. However, we will strictly enforce the skills criteria above, particularly the ability to get on and off ski lifts independently. This is for the safety of the athletes and non-negotiable. We expect that many of our youngest applicants will be asked to try out again when they are older and bigger.
1 Age determined as of December 15 of the current season.
Ski Development is an intensive training program, and athletes must be capable of putting in full training days. The Development Team typically trains Saturdays and Sundays for 9 weeks beginning the first weekend of January.
Athletes who wish to join the Development Team must first try out. Tentative dates for tryouts are: 12/16, 12/17, 12/26, 12/27, 12/28, 12/29. These dates are subject to change based on terrain availability on the mountain. Please click the link and indicate your availability for tryouts: https://forms.gle/XTUpDkk4V48MiB2EA.
In order to try out for the Ski Development Team, athletes must first register with PASEF. If an applicant is not accepted into the Development Team based on his or her evaluation, registration fees will be refunded.
Program Costs (season pass not included):
Until October 20: $925 Training Fee plus $150 PASEF Dues
After October 20: $1,125 Training Fee plus $150 PASEF Dues
IV. SNOWBOARD TEAM INFO AND PRICING
A. Snowboard Race Team.
The Snowboard Race Team offers a hard-boot technical program for expert snowboarders who wish to race competitively in USASA and USSS events. Membership on the team is at the discretion of the Head Snowboard Coach. Preseason training begins with a 6-day camp between Christmas and New Year’s. Regular training is held on weekend days from late December through late March, with optional Friday evening sessions from 6:00PM - 8:00PM during peak race season.
Program Costs (season pass not included):
Until October 20: $1,000 Training Fee plus $200 PASEF Dues
After October 20: $1,200 Training Fee plus $200 PASEF Dues
B. Snowboard Development Team.
The Snowboard Development Team represents the future of the Snowboard Race Team. Membership on the Snowboard Development Team is open to young boarders ages 6 and older who can comfortably ride intermediate trails (those marked with blue squares), are capable of getting on and off chair lifts independently, and demonstrate an interest in becoming competitive racers. Athletes must also be able to carry their own snowboards and hike uphill, and strap in and out of their boards without assistance.
Snowboard Development is an intensive training program, and members must be capable of putting in full training days. The Snowboard Development Team trains weekend days, typically beginning the first weekend of January.
Starting this season, we are lowering the minimum age for the Snowboard Development Team from 7 to 6 in order to stay competitive with other programs that accept athletes as young as 5. However, we will strictly enforce the skills criteria above, particularly the ability to get on and off chair lifts independently. This is for the safety of the athletes and non-negotiable. We expect that many of our youngest applicants will be asked to try out again when they are older and bigger.
Program Costs (season pass not included):
Until October 20: $975 Training Fee plus $150 PASEF Dues
After October 20: $1,175 Training Fee plus $150 PASEF Dues
The Annual Fall Meeting for the Ski Program will be held on Saturday, November 18, by videoconference. A meeting invitation will be sent to all athletes and parents registered with PASEF as of November 4. We will review our program and finances and preview the upcoming season. A separate meeting will be held for the Snowboard Program. Look for an announcement from the Snowboard leadership.
Lastly, we will open our Spirit Wear Store earlier this season, so that you can start showing your support at the beginning of the season! Big thanks to our VP & Secretary, Puja Yagnik! Look for an email in early November.
To summarize your action items:
● Renew your 2023-2024 USSS membership ASAP (athletes, coaches and parents)
● Register for your PASEF Ski Team or Snowboard Team
● Buy your CBK season pass
● Mark your calendar for the REMOTE Fall Meeting on November 18 (Ski Program)
We look forward to seeing you at the Fall Meeting, and here’s to a great 2023-24 season!
Regards,
Austin So
President
