Junior Expeditions

Junior Expeditions

All Stars

These three hour clinics are designed for ripping skiers and snowboarders and are offered on weekends and holidays only, providing a glimpse into the JETS program for children that cannot commit to being in the valley each week. These high-end clinics focus on the variety of skills needed to handle variable snow conditions and different terrain.Children must be comfortable skiing or riding the terrain serviced by Chair 6.  All Stars Clinics meet in the Village Center at 10am and 1pm weekends and holidays. 

Price: $65 (does not include lift ticket)

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Jets Program 2011/12

The JETS Program is now full for Saturday Ski programs.  There is still availability for all Sunday Ski Programs and Saturday Snowboarding Programs.

Skiing Teams

The JETS Program offers skiers and riders ages 6-15 a hip atmosphere with an opportunity to explore and progress on Kirkwood’s legendary terrain.  Kids will develop in a team environment working with the same coaches throughout the season.  Programs are for intermediate through expert skiers and riders.  Saturday and Sunday, Saturday only, or Sunday only programs are available.

The JETS Coaches work with each skill level to provide a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for kids.  Training focuses on the “fundamentals” of skiing and riding, etiquette on mountain, camaraderie with teammates, and much more. Teams will learn to take on the whole mountain including: cornices, chutes, open bowls, trees, hike to terrain, powder, gates, and park and pipe.  New for 2011-2012 all Jets will participate in an avalanche dog training session with ski patrol.

Development Teams

• How to make equipment work efficiently, allowing more time on the snow.
• When and how to transfer weight from ski to ski in different situations. 
• An introduction to the park and pipe and racing.
• Skill building for all disciplines, allowing exploration of new terrain and experiences.

At this level and age it is important to provide a fun, playful environment for the children to develop skills, be safe, and establish camaraderie with kids of similar ages and abilities.   This allows each child to understand the mountain environment and develop a variety of skills by which to enjoy it.

How do I know when my child is ready to participate in the JETS program?

When your child can independently get on and off the chairlift (chairs 5 & 11 at Kirkwood) without slowing it down, can comfortably edge skis on a traverse, and can ski independently in an all day format they are ready to join the JETS.  

Note: This is not a “learn to ski program.”  Children must be able to comfortably ski the runs serviced by Chair 5, including linking turns in both directions, stopping safely and riding the lift without slowing the chair or help from an adult.

Progression Teams 

• Off-piste skiing/riding
• Chutes 
• Navigating Cornices 
• Trees 
• Gates 
• Park and Pipe

***Children must be able to ski and ride on groomed black diamond terrain to join the Progression Teams.

Freeride Teams (Ski & Snowboard)

The Freeride Team is a competitive training team that is set up for athletes up to the age of 15 years.   The teams work on building various skills associated with the events of Skier Cross, Slope Style, Half Pipe and Big Mountain Freeriding.  Members of the team will travel to compete in local USASA events and the Tahoe Junior Freeride series.  Teams will focus on skill development through safety, exploration, and coaching in a low-pressure team environment.

Skiers must be able to ski/ride comfortably off the top of the mountain and should have an interest in competing. Children who have not participated in this program before must have a ski/ride evaluation or receive permission from the program director to join the Freeride Teams.  Parents of each team member will work with the coaching staff in planning which events are appropriate for their kids and family schedules.

Included in the price of the program are the USASA membership fee and one USASA event fee.  The Freeride team will have 3 extra days over the Christmas break, as well as coaching on the Mondays of MLK and President’s Weekend and a Backcountry Awareness course.  The team skis from 9-3 on Saturday and 9-2 on Sunday.

Program/Pricing/Times

All participants are required to wear a JETS uniform jacket.  The price of the jacket is $50. 

All programs include a Full Season Pass, there will be a $100 discount on all  programs for those who have already purchased a full pass (does not include 5 and under pass). Families with multiple children in the program will receive a 10% discount for each additional child enrolled in the program.  The discount will be applied to the program with the lower cost. Program dates are firm and are set to account for weather days.

• Full Season Programs - Run December 17th 2011 thru April 15th 2012.
• Mid Winter Programs - Run January 7th 2012 thru March 18th 2012. 
• Freeride Team Pricing - Program runs December 17th 2011 thru April 15 2012. 

Meeting Times

• Saturdays from 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Sundays from 9:00am - 2:00pm.
• Teams meet at the Expedition Meeting Place in the Village Center

How Do I Sign Up For The Program?

The JETS Program can hold approximately 120 kids on Saturday and will fill up, sign up early to guarantee your space.  All forms required for registration are available to download below.  Each family will also need to make a photo copy of your health insurance card to include with the registration packet.  Once you have completed the paperwork it can either be scanned and emailed to expedition [at] kirkwood [dot] com or faxed to 209.258.4437.  Registration timelines are outlined below.  You will receive a confirmation letter once your registration form has been received.

Returning Families: Registration begins for returning families October 1st, with spaces guaranteed for returners through October 16th, Saturday space will be available on a first come first served basis.

New Families: Registration for all families is available from October 17th.    Please do not send forms before October 17th as we will not be here to receive them.

Tryout / Skill Evaluations:
Saturday December 10th and Sunday December 11th are free skill evaluation days. Call the Expedition: Kirkwood Office to schedule your free half hour evaluation for your children.  Children must have a valid ticket or pass for the evaluation. All Children who have not participated in the JETS program before must have a ski/ride evaluation so we can best assess what group your child needs to go into.  These are the only free evaluations of the year. If you miss the try out weekend, a private lesson can be scheduled at your convenience.  A private lesson allows us to evaluate your child’s skiing/riding ability and is a great way to give your child a running start at the season and promote their success.

JETS Welcome BBQ and Ski Shop Sale

Saturday, November 12, 2011 we will again hold the JETS welcome BBQ and Sale from 11 – 2.  Kirkwood Mountain Sports will open with special deals on junior gear.  The season pass office will be open to pick up JETS season passes.  Enjoy a BBQ, meet the program directors, and get ready for winter!

Jets Games 2012

Back for its fifth winter, the JETS Games is a four event series for youngsters to get an introduction to competition in a relaxed environment.  Kids will compete against each other in multiple categories for prize’s and swag.  The most successful team and individuals in each category will be crowned at the end of the season.

JETS Games Events Include:

• Giant Slalom Race - January 21
• Skier/Boarder Cross - February 4
• Rail Jam - February 26
• All Mountain Freeskiing Invitational - March 17

Forms

*Program Ending Dates are firm and are set to include potential weather days.