FUNdamentals: Jumps and Bumps

Learn to Train: Freestylerz

Organized freestyle skiing in Canada took shape in 1974. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian Ski Association adopted Freestyle as one of its member disciplines. Freestyle made its Olympic debut in 1988, which lead to widespread attention and phenomenal growth in the sport across Canada. Since then, we have been a leader in Freestyle competitions around the world.

Freestyle skiing teaches participants fundamental movement skills, fundamental sport skills and the ABCs – agility, balance, coordination and speed – of physical literacy.

Freestyle skiing’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model consists of seven stages.

  • Active Start (M, F 0-6) – Teaches fundamental movement skills and encourages children to learn to play on skis.
  • FUNdamentals (M 6-9, F 6-8) – Develops overall movement skills and basic Freestyle ski skills.
  • Learn to Train (M 9-12, F 8-11) – Introduces general ski fitness and refines basic skiing skills, coinciding with peak motor coordination.
  • Train to Train (M 12-16, F 11-15) – Builds an aerobic base and develops speed and strength while consolidating basic freestyle skills, discipline-specific skills and annual training programs.
  • Learn/Train to Compete (M 17-19/19-21, F 16-18/18-20) – Optimizes fitness preparation, specializes in one freestyle ski discipline, acquires discipline-specific skills and prepares for competition.
  • Learn/Train to Win (M, F 20+/22+) – Teaches high performance athletes to perform on demand and produce podium performances.
  • Ski for Life (M, F any age) – Maintains enjoyment of physical activity and continued participation in skiing, whether competitively or recreationally.

Introduction to LTAD for Canadian Freestyle Ski Association
This model provides a consistent and systematic guide to developing junior talent and increasing the number of people entering the sport of freestyle skiing.

BC Freestyle Ski Association: BC Sport for Life Project
The intent of this document is to clearly lay out a strategy that BC Freestyle Ski Association will follow to take steps towards implementing the CFSA LTAD plan.

Snow Stars Skill Development Program
Snow Stars is a skill-development tool for young skiers operated by Alpine Canada since 2004.

This seven-step program will guide the child, coach and parent through a progression that is aligned with the Long Term Athlete Development Plan (AIM 2 WIN).

Download the Snow Stars Manual

The Jumps and Bumps Program teaches young skiers FUNdamental freestyle skills in fun and safe progressions.

Freestylerz addresses the Learn to Train stage through a progression to more advanced skills in moguls, slopestyle (terrain park) and halfpipe.

Canadian Freestyle Ski Association – freestyleski.ca