Development FIS

The purpose of this pathway is to offer U18 athletes a valuable opportunity to progress towards a more competitive FIS track, should they choose, while prioritizing their development. This pathway provides athletes with additional time to assess which direction will best support their skiing goals, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future. By offering the chance to compete at a higher level until high school completion, student-athletes can balance academics with athletics, minimizing travel time and allowing for greater focus on their studies. Additionally, this pathway offers guidance to different options for skiing in college. 

Year-round participation in physical conditioning is expected for Devo FIS athletes and the program conducts physical assessments 2-3 times annually. At the U16 level, the emphasis is on the technical and tactical aspects of racing. Groups split their time between technical drills, gate training, mental game skills, speed skiing (Super-G, DH), all mountain and, as always, having fun! New participants to the club wishing to enter at the Devo FIS level must discuss and get approval from the Alpine Program Director, as significant skiing experience is expected for this group.

Age for 2025-26 Winter Season

Born 2008-2009

Skill Development Focus

• All-mountain skiing;
• Hill safety;
• Mastering balance, coordination, movement, and athletic stance on skis. Goal is that athletes can ski ALL terrains and ALL courses and ALL disciplines with adequate technique. Athletes should be mastering carving, usage of upper and lower body separation, usage of all four edges, cross blocking, maintain snow contact, and pole plant. They should be adequate with course inspection, line choices, etc. They should be getting better at weight transfer, maintain turn shape, gliding, aerodynamics, jumping and self-feedback, tip pressure at start of the turn and control pressure thru the whole turn.
• Increased focus on competition and racing, while continuing to develop a lifelong passion and mastery of the sport of skiing.

For more information on the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Training System model, click here.

Parent/Athlete Handbook