Frequently Asked Questions

Loveland Freeride trains athletes ages 10–18. Our U12 program is currently only available to existing Loveland Freeride families.

Yes. An athlete should be able to comfortably ski extreme terrain top to bottom. Controlled parallel skiing at speed on blues and blacks is required.

Tryouts for all age groups will be held the weekend before the regular season practice begins. Please reach out to Eben for pre-assessments or recommendations regarding fundamental training.

The One-Day program trains exclusively at Loveland, while the Two-Day program will regularly travel to other Colorado mountains for training.

Anytime a One-Day athlete is interested in joining a Two-Day session, they are encouraged to with a drop-in fee. If a One-Day athlete is interested in moving into the Two-Day program entirely, the remainder of the season will be prorated.

Athletes meet at Loveland, gear up, and spend the day on-mountain with their coaching group. Training includes terrain assessment, skill drills, free skiing sessions, and avalanche awareness. Days are structured but not rigid — we adapt to conditions and the group's development needs.

Safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our coaches conduct thorough terrain assessments before every session. Athletes are trained in avalanche awareness, terrain judgment, and decision-making. We maintain professional athlete-to-coach ratios and follow established risk management protocols.

All of our coaching staff hold IFSA coaching certifications. Some coaches hold Avalanche Level 1 and Level 2 certifications, and Wilderness First Responder training. Head Coach Eben Mond holds IFSA Level 300 certification and Avalanche Level 2.

Yes — every athlete receives avalanche awareness training. Though it is not a certification, this training includes understanding snowpack, terrain assessment, companion rescue, and beacon/shovel/probe use. It’s a core part of our program, not an add-on.

We have a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan covering medical emergencies, avalanche incidents, and severe weather. All coaches carry first aid supplies and communication devices. We coordinate with Loveland Ski Patrol and have established protocols for every scenario.

We maintain a 12:2 athlete-to-coach ratio, with an additional coach added for every 6 athletes beyond. For competition inspection, we use a 4:1 ratio. Group sizes are managed to match terrain complexity and conditions.

Please visit our Programs page for current pricing. We believe in transparency — tuition covers your athlete’s Loveland season pass, coaching, on-mountain training, and avalanche awareness. Personal gear and travel to away competitions are not included.

Yes. Loveland Freeride offers unique scholarship programs. Access should never be the barrier. If your child loves the mountains, we want them here regardless of financial circumstances.

Yes — we offer a 10% sibling discount on each additional athlete registered within the same family.

A Loveland season pass is included in registration. Your athlete's pass is covered as part of the program tuition.

Loveland Freeride is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are not a sub-program of Loveland Ski Club. We operate our own governance, finances, and program structure while training at Loveland Ski Area.

Independence gives us full control over our coaching standards, program direction, and financial transparency. As a 501(c)(3), we can accept tax-deductible donations, pursue grants, and build a governance structure designed to outlast any single individual.

Loveland Freeride is led by Head Coach and Program Director Eben Mond, Executive Director Darcee Mond, and Operations Director Sam Yanis, and is supported by a professional coaching staff and an independent board of directors.

We operate under a 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure with an independent board of directors, transparent financials, and professional governance policies. This structure ensures the program is built to last.

We train at Loveland Ski Area and have a strong, longstanding relationship with the mountain. However, Loveland Freeride is an independently governed nonprofit — not a resort-owned or resort-operated program.

IFSA (International Freeride Ski Association) is the global governing body for freeride competition. IFSA sanctions competitions, certifies coaches, and provides the competitive pathway from regional events through the Freeride World Tour.

Yes. FIS officially recognized freeride as a discipline in June 2024, and the first FIS Freeride World Championships were held in February 2026. The sport is targeting inclusion in the 2030 Winter Olympics, with the 2034 Games in Salt Lake City. We’re excited that big mountain skiing is heading in this direction, and athletes in our program are well-positioned to pursue that pathway if they choose.

Athletes leave Loveland Freeride with lifelong mountain skills regardless of pathway. Competitive athletes may continue on the IFSA circuit, pursue the Freeride World Tour, or transition to other mountain disciplines. Every athlete graduates as a confident, skilled mountain skier.