Ski Utah Press Release

SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN RESORT, BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON, UTAH (November 24, 2015) – Solitude Mountain Resort is helping local youth take their skiing and snowboarding abilities to new heights with their innovative programs for ages six to 16. The season-long programs, held Saturdays and/or Sundays, are designed to provide optimal instructor/coach-to-student ratios, based on age and ability.

“Youth participants will explore our mountain in a fun, exciting and challenging environment, while expanding their abilities and forming new friendships,” said Tim Wolfgram, director of snowsports services for Solitude Mountain Resort. “Fostering a love for skiing and snowboarding in kids is a top priority for Solitude. There is not better way to fuel a child's passion for snowsports than enrolling in one of these exciting programs.”

The Solitude Mountain Resort Youth Programs have something to offer skier and riders of all abilities. The program provides unbeatable access to the resort's 1,200 acres of incredible terrain, including some of the most impressive off-piste skiing and riding in the country. The programs are as follows:

Fly Like an Eagle Program 

New this season, the Fly Like an Eagle program is a great opportunity for local youth to participate in a seasonal snow sports activity, learn new skills, create lasting relationships and have a lot of fun. Attendees learn basic to advanced skiing and snowboarding skills with kids of similar age and ability groups, learn how to handle different snow conditions and terrain, and participate in fun races and an end of season barbeque. Available for children ages six to 13 for skiing and eight to 13 for snowboarding, the Fly Like an Eagle Saturday and Sunday sessions run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and include lunch. Session One runs weekends through December and Session Two runs weekends in January through the first weekend in February. Kids can choose to attend Saturday-only or Sunday-only sessions for $240 per session or participate in both Saturday and Sunday sessions for $425 per session. Please see skisolitude.com for details on pricing and program dates. Rental equipment and lift ticket are not included in the session rate.

Big Mountain Ski Team 

Also new this season, the Big Mountain Ski Team is a season-long program for children ages eight through 16. The Big Mountain Ski Team will train and pursue high-end, all-mountain skiing on Saturdays and/or Sundays from late-November through late-March. This program provides youth the chance to refine their skiing skills in a fun and competitive environment, with a goal of creating well-rounded athletes who understand and display sportsmanship, teamwork and mountain etiquette, while being safety conscious. Areas of emphasis include off-piste free skiing, moguls, steeps, trees, mountain awareness and big-mountain race training. In order to be considered for the team, members must be able to link turns on expert runs and be capable of carving aggressive turns in a parallel stance. Participants will ski in three or four free-skiing competitions throughout the season in the local area. Lunch is included with each session and participants can choose between Saturday-only or Sunday-only for $985 for the season or attend Saturday and Sunday sessions for $1,968 for the season.

DEVO Team 

The Solitude Development team (aka DEVO Team) is a season-long program for children ages six to 12 years. This program provides children the chance to develop and refine their skills in a fun and competitive environment. The DEVO Team's goal is to create well-rounded athletes, who understand and display sportsmanship, teamwork and mountain etiquette, while being safety conscious. Head Coach Jeff Handwerk, a level III PSIA-certified instructor and USAA level II coach, has a hands-on approach to instruction and provides detailed lessons for the 40 to 50 participants chosen for the team. Team members will participate from late-November through late-March. Areas of emphasis include skiing fundamentals, moguls, all-mountain free skiing, mountain awareness, and slalom and giant slalom race training. In order to be considered for the team, members must be able to link turns on intermediate runs and be capable of completing turns in a parallel stance. Participants will compete in approximately five youth ski league alpine races throughout the season in the local area. Lunch is included with each session and participants can choose between Saturday-only or Sunday-only for $985 for the season or attend Saturday and Sunday sessions for $1,968 for the season.

“These programs afford youth the chance to learn from experienced athlete coaches and trainers, while building their own self esteem and making lasting friendships along the way,” said Wolfgram.

Enrollment in the Solitude Mountain Resort Youth Programs can be made by contacting Snowsports Reservations at 801-536-5730. Additional details about the programs are available at the resort's website. For more information, contact Senior Communications, Emily Summers at 435-645-6522 or emily@deervalley.com.

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Solitude, a Deer Valley Resort, is a pure, authentic and untarnished Utah territory. Serene or extreme, there's nothing between you and the perfect mountain day. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, the resort offers eight chairlifts, 77 runs, three bowls and 500 annual inches of snow spread over 1,200 acres for skiing and snowboarding.