*Dates and Times* November 26, 2011 - March 24, 2012; Sat. & Sun.; 8:30 - 12:30

*Meeting Time and Location* 8:00am outside the Sitting Bull (unless otherwise instructed)
. Drop Off Time and Location: 1:30pm at Base Area by the B Quad Lift.  Lunch is scheduled for 11:00-12:00.

*Prerequisites* There will be a mandatory one-hour coach screening at the beginning of the season for each new snowboarder looking to join the OMST. This will allow our coaching staff to determine if the rider is qualified to ride with the team and to designate the group the rider will be snowboarding with.

Snowboarders looking to ride on the OMST should be able to ride comfortably down the majority of the trails on Okemo..  At this level, snowboarders should be able to be self-motivated to get out on the mountain every day, want to have fun, and want to learn how to kill it on a snowboard!

Program groups:

Freshies
Our entry-level category is designated for riders who can shred the entire Mountain and who are coming into their own with snowboarding. Our coaches will work with the group to develop all-mountain riding skills and to most importantly have a ton of fun.  The riders will be introduced to many different entry-level aspects of snowboarding including, but not exclusive to all-mountain riding, the terrain park, switch riding, gate training (slalom and GS) and BX.  Riders in this group will also have the opportunity to test the competitive waters by competing in local USASA and Okemo Mountain events.  Ultimately, we hope that after the rider’s first year with OMST,” he/she will develop a strong sense of on-hill independence and Mountain etiquette, coupled by a continued enthusiasm and love for the sport.

Requirements: Participants must be able to ride the lift alone, put on their own equipment, ride down a variety of challenging trails at OKEMO and pass the one-hour screening

On Deck
The On Deck category is for athletes who are advanced snowboarders looking to take their riding to the competitive level. We will work intensively with each rider on all disciplines to develop the skills necessary in competing at a higher level.  With a primary focus on improving overall riding skills, athletes in this age group will improve on their switch riding, transition riding (pipe and jumps), “jibbing” (boxes and rails), all-mountain riding, and gate training (slalom and GS).  This age group will also have the opportunity to compete in USASA events in the Southern Vermont series.  Competing at USASA nationals at Copper Mountain is also a possibility.

AM
The Am group is our group of the most advanced riders on the team who have years of competition and park riding under their belt. The Am program is predominately geared towards park and pipe riding with BX and Gate training included as well.  We will work with each rider to hone in on advanced and technical freestyle tricks in the park and pipe, in addition to a developing a more tactful approach to competitions and everyday riding.  Video analysis will also be used as a tool to help the Am rider visually comprehend his/her riding. We strongly encourage all the athletes in this age group to compete in the local USASA competition series in addition to competing in other local amateur events.  Competing at USASA Nationals is a possibility.

ALL ATHLETES ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A HELMET AT ALL TIMES.  ATHLETES WITHOUT A HELMET WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY TRAINING