ABOUT
SK SBD offers the following programs for various ages and abilities:
- Mini Groms Program (5-8 years old): 4-week program for early beginners with a focus on learning fundamentals and basic movement.
- Groms Program (9+ years old) : 10-week program for beginner to developing riders with a focus on overall riding ability (balance, edge control, turning and introduction to terrain park).
- Riders Program (12+ years old): 10-week program for intermediate riders with a focus on freestyle skill development in the terrain park.
- Development or Provincial Team: for the ultra competitive athletes wanting to enter speed and style competitions.
Participants will work with their coach and teammates to improve their riding and learn intermediate to expert level freestyle and all-mountain skills.
All programs run from December until mid-March on evenings or weekends.
- Mini Groms runs on weeknights at Optimist for two hours.
- Groms runs on weekends at Mission Ridge and Table Mountain for two hours.
- Riders runs on weekends at Mission Ridge and Table Mountain from 10:00 am-3:00 pm.
- Riders runs on weeknights at Little Red and Optimist Hill for two hours.
Schedule and session times are communicated prior to the season by coaches and organizers and vary with location.
Development Team schedule consists of 2-3 day training cycles at Saskatchewan resorts primarily.
Provincial Team schedule consists of 2-3 day training cycles at western mountain resorts primarily.
FEES & REQUIREMENTS
Program fees start at $150+ depending on which program fits you best. Check out our registration page for more details on available programs!
Program requirements:
- Resort Lift Tickets or Season Pass
- SK SBD Recreation or Compete membership
- Helmet (use of helmet is a mandatory for all programs)
Additional costs you may incur include: equipment, travel, entry fees, provincial membership, food and facility costs. We will do our best to share these additional costs ahead of time.
Programs are designed to promote fun and progression in all aspects of snowboarding in a team oriented and friendly environment. All riders in our programs get to explore the risk and limits of snowboarding in a safe managed environment with a professionally certified and experienced coaches. Programs instill basic ethics of snowboarding, while promoting team bonding and learning. There is no specific specialization into a snowboard discipline; all aspects of snowboarding and competition will be focused on. Riders are encouraged to register in local competitions and events that are suitable to their abilities throughout the season.
PROGRAMS
Mini Groms & Groms
Snowboarding instruction for riders from the beginner to developing snowboarder, the focus is on overall riding ability with guidance in basic movement, balance, edge control, turning, and an introduction to the terrain park. Whether snowboarding for the first time or just wanting to get better, Groms has something to offer all first timers and novice/intermediate riders. The Groms program is a 4 or 10-week program with curriculum developed from the Canada Snowboard Riders concept and with input from Canada Snowboard, Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors, and our SK SBD technical development team. The program includes set skill development for each week and measurable goals to be achieved.
The Groms program is separated into a “Beginner” lesson structure for those who are new to the sport and an “Advanced” set of lessons for those who have already acquired the beginner fundamentals such as speed and direction control but still are not solid with edge changes. Participants will receive a “report card” which will assess their progress during the season and what skills still needed to be worked on. This report card can act as an indicator of the athlete readiness for program progression.
Program coordinators will be responsible for notifying participants of program schedules, meeting places, and any updates or changes. On the first day coaches will assess riders and put them into groups for the season. At the discretion of the coach, riders may be moved to another program in order to facilitate development that’s more beneficial to the individual.
Riders
Coaching for riders who have succeeded in the Groms program and have been recommended to move on, or if new to the program, meet a coach assessed standard. The skills needed for this program are: ability to control speed and direction on most terrain, change edges without difficulty, control turns on both toe and heel edges, ride flat-based, and are comfortable with a dynamic range of motion on board. Previous freestyle skills and ability are not necessary. This is an intermediate to advanced freestyle program for riders looking to progress in a group with similar ability levels.
Riders will continue to work on overall riding skills and competency as well as individual specialization in jumps, rails, switch riding, as well as incorporating skills needed for speed events. The Riders program is suited for participants comfortable hitting park features and have the passion to learn more. Participants in this division can also be a part of the Development Team and will have the opportunity to be selected to the SK SBD Provincial Team.
Program coordinators will be responsible for notifying participants of program schedules, meeting places, and any updates or changes. Coaches may group riders differently during the season depending on their ability level and interests. At the discretion of the coach, riders may be moved to another program in order to facilitate development that’s more beneficial to the individual.
Development/Provincial Team
Advanced riders who want to progress their skill in the area of competitive freestyle snowboarding should consider the Development or Provincial Teams. The teams spend time travelling to different locations, training and competing in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Athletes will have a heavy focus on freestyle competitions, and work with freestyle development coaches on mental preparation, competition format, and developing tricks and runs. Athletes on the Development Team will also have the opportunity to train with the Provincial Team. Both Development Team and Provincial Team athletes may have the opportunity to try out for the Canada Winter Games SK Snowboard Team.
COACHING STAFF
Our programs are proudly led by our mature coaching staff that love to ride and coach! Our hiring process includes unanimous approval by the coaching and volunteer staff for each program. All coaching staff are professionally trained and active members through the Canadian Snowboard Coaching program (CSCP) and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). All coaches recognize the Canadian Coaching Code of Ethics as the foundation for their programs.