Below is the information for our 2023-2024 Alpine Programs. We will be accepting applications October 1 -October 31, 2023.

Cloud City’s Alpine Ski Teams are different this year, so please read below. In addition, Ski Cooper will be running a “Learn to Ski” program this year, so we will not offer that program.

  • Buddy Werner Team-- The Buddy Werner team is CCMS's intro level program that is designed to introduce young skiers to all aspects of skiing.  It replaces the former All Mountain and Devo teams.  Buddy Werner will focus on good solid ski fundamentals, fun and will lead young skiers into a lifetime love of the sport with many options to compete or just ski in the future.  Buddy Werner skiers will get access to very limited runs through gates and will be prioritized for Cooper Cups and one Buddy Werner race that CCMS and Ski Cooper will host.  The Buddy Werner program is for skiers who can comfortably ski with poles all around Cooper.  Skiers should be able to load the lift without assistance and be able to function independently.  Skiers not at this level should look at Ski Cooper's Learn to Ski Program.  Buddy Werner athletes may progress on to YSL or choose to stay through 5th grade at which point they can join the MS Alpine Race Team or enjoy free skiing with friends and family.  Many mountains and clubs have Buddy Werner programs.  You can read more about Buddy Werner himself here.  

  • YSL Race Team-- YSL or Youth Ski League, is entry level racing in Colorado.  Ages range from U8-U16, based on your age as of Jan 1 of the year you will race.  YSL prepares athletes to race in Middle and High school.  YSL athletes will train Saturdays when Cooper is open starting at 9 AM and ending between 3-4 PM. YSL athletes will engage in directed free skiing with half or more of their day directly in gates.  YSL athletes should free ski on their own or with their families to increase their growth and development.  A YSL athlete should ski 35+ days per season. YSL athletes can ski on the LCHS MS team as well, which is common.  YSL racers may train at Dutch Henry from 5-7pm on Monday and Wednesday nights as soon and for as long as snow conditions allow.  CCMS will provide coaching support at YSL races. The YSL season typically involves 5 races that take place every other Sunday from mid January to mid March. YSL athletes should plan to ski with race specific skis and FIS approved helmets.  YSL Race Team members is for skiers who can make parallel turns with poles on a variety of terrain at Ski Cooper.  

  • Middle School Race Team-- CCMS offers support for the Lake County High School (LCHS) MS team.  Athletes from Leadville and the Arkansas valley are eligible for this team and must comply with all LCHS athletic policies. The MS team practices at Dutch Henri from 5-7 on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings as early and late as conditions allow.  The MS team trains at Cooper from mid-December through the middle school season in February.  MS racing consists of 5 races on Fridays in January and February.  Transportation to and from these races is supplied by LCSD.  All MS racers must also be members of CCMS. 

  • High School Race Team-- CCMS offers support for the Lake County High School (LCHS) team.  Athletes from Leadville and the Arkansas valley are eligible for this team and must comply with all LCHS athletic policies. The HS team practices at Dutch Henry from 5-7 on Monday and Wednesday evenings as early and late as conditions allow.  The HS team trains at Cooper from mid-December through State Championships in late February.  HS racing consists of 6 races on Thursdays or Fridays in January and February followed by State Championships.  Transportation to and from these races is supplied by the Lake County School District.  All HS racers must also be members of CCMS. 

  • SYNC and FIS racing are not supported by CCMS.  Racers at this level should look at other programs.  

Alpine Tuition: CCMS tuition does not come close to covering the costs of the program.  This simply helps offset the costs of coaches and equipment.  Most of the budget of the club is taken care of by hosting races.  The costs are:

  • Buddy Werner: $200 to CCMS

  • YSL Race Team: $300 to CCMS

  • LCHS MS Race Team: $300 to CCMS (if you are also on YSL, you just pay one $300 fee)

  • LCHS HS Race Team: $300 to CCMS  (if you are also on YSL, you just pay one $300 fee)

Tuition does not include season passes. For YSL Athletes, note that you will also be responsible for a USSS license, competition lift tickets or race entries except at home races.  MS and HS athletes' costs to race are completely covered.  

Alpine Gear:  Buddy Werner athletes are fine on any well fit ski.  It can be race specific or an overall all mountain ski.  It should be long enough to be between the athletes chin and forehead.  At these younger ages, skis should not be too wide.  We recommend 80mm and under at the waist. 

YSL skiers should start to use race specific skis.  They can have an all mountain ski, a SL ski and a GS ski.  SL skis should be round chin height.  GS skis should be around the top of the head.  GS and SL have different side cuts, so its about the ski and not just the length.  If a young athlete is only going to have one race ski, the have a SL ski and not a GS ski.  

MS and HS racers should have an all mountain ski a SL and a GS.  The same guidelines apply that we mentioned under YSL skis. 

Boots-- all athletes in YSL, MS and HS should have a race specific boot. They should easily be able to flex the boot forward, even when the boot is cold.  Most athletes need a lower flex rating that they are often in.  Buddy Werner athletes can use any boot that is warm and fits well as long at they can flex it.  

Helmets-- everyone racing needs a hard eared helmet.  YSL, MS and HS must have a helmet with the FIS sticker showing that it is safe for racing. 

Athletes are encouraged to start tuning and maintaining their own gear as they develop in skiing. Coaches will assist with tuning and will provide tuning support on certain nights at Dutch Henry, but it is an athletes’ and family's responsibility to maintain and tune their own skis for racing.