Holiday Valley Freestyle Team
Members of the Holiday Freestyle Team come together from a variety of backgrounds to train and compete in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Our coaches understand the specific needs of each athlete and encourage personal development, helping athletes achieve the goals they set out for themselves. For much of the season, team members train together, merging skill level and age, fostering a team environment where athletes learn from each other and develop a close community. With respect to competition and event preparation training, athletes enter into either A or B divisions and then into subcategories based on age:
U7, 6 and younger, 2017 and later
U9, 7 and 8, 2015 and 2016
U11, 9 and 10, 2013 and 2014
U13, 11 and 12, 2011 and 2012
U15, 13 and 14, 2009 and 2010
U17, 15 and 16, 2007 and 2008
U19, 17 and 18, 2005 and 2006
Senior, 19 and 20, 2003 and 2004
Veteran, 21 and older, 2002 and earlier
Dedicated training leads to competition, where team members challenge their peers from other local areas and qualify to compete in the New York State Championships. Team members who choose to compete must join the United States Ski Association (USSA) .
Christmas Camp: 12/27-12/31
Holiday breaks allow for more intensive training. The HVFT Holiday Camp offers an excellent opportunity for kids of intermediate through advanced abilities. Participants must be able to ride the lifts by themselves.
Holiday Valley Freestyle Team Parents Association (HVFT PA)
The HVFT Parents Association is an incorporated Not-For-Profit organization. Comprised of volunteer parents of HVFT athletes, our mission is to support the HVFT program under the guidance of, and in cooperation with, the HVFT Coaching Team and Holiday Valley Programs management team. The organization works closely with the Coaches, Parents, and Holiday Valley Programs management to help with communication and coordination of team-related activities and support the program’s continuity. HVFT PA further establishes committees each year, through parent volunteers, to lead various initiatives, which are based on the team’s needs, such as event coordination, team wear organization, and fundraising. The Parents Association further supports our athletes by funding various team-related expenses such as coaches travel expenses to each race our athletes participate in.
Frequently Asked Questions
In order to make your experience at Holiday Valley more enjoyable, we have put together some Frequently Asked Questions.
What are the training hours for the program?
Weekend training (Saturday & Sunday) runs from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Athletes are given snack breaks during the training session. Many racers pack a lunch to eat after the training session ends at 1:30. Weekday training is held on Wednesdays & Thursdays between 5:30-7:30, and on Fridays between 7:00-9:00.
While weekend training sessions will be held regardless of the weather, weekday training sessions may be more sensitive to inclement conditions, particularly in the later stages of the season. For details and updates on training sessions, please refer to the Team Snap Schedule.
As per the Coaching Team’s request, please indicate your availability/attendance for each training session (and competition/event), with as much advanced notice as possible via the Team Snap app so that they can prepare appropriately and optimize their time with the athletes.
Where do the athletes meet for training?
The athletes should be out front of the Training Center (also known as the Mountain Sports Center) by 8:30am. The Training Center is located at the base of the Yodeler and Edelweiss slopes.
What happens if we are late for training?
If late to training, check with the Training center administrator at the front desk. They will inform you where to meet up with coaches. If they’re not present, connect with your coaches using the Team Snap app.
How do I find out more about competitions?
All athletes wishing to compete for HVFT are required to register with the United States Ski Association (USSA) and maintain this membership on an annual basis. The cost per athlete is $$$. Upon doing so, your athlete will be eligible to participate in competitions and other related activities throughout the year.
The 2025 competition schedule has not been confirmed at this time. Once it is available, a static version of the schedule will be posted on the “Schedule>Schedule: Events” page of this site. and a dynamic version of the schedule will be available on the Team Snap app.
Attending competitions is an individual decision, and as such, it is each family’s responsibility to provide their own means of transpiration to and from the event, provide for their own dietary requirements, and arrange and pay for their own lodging. Further, each competition has an associated registration fee. Families can expect to pay USD$70-US$100 per event, per day in competition. Sometimes, this may include a lift ticket; other times, a lift ticket will be an additional charge by the host resort. If parents want to ski while at the competition, they will be required to purchase a lift ticket.
Should you have further questions about events, the HVFT PA is here to help!
2024/2025 A Comp. Liaison: Mike Chess
2024/2025 B Comp. Liaison: Shawn Laraba.
Of course, the Coaching Team is always available to answer any questions as well.
Does my athlete have to compete?
Athletes in the HVFT program are under no obligation to compete. It is an individual decision. Some athletes attend every race at every event; some may only attend a select few events for a variety of reasons, and others may not attend any events at all. Regardless of your situation, your athlete is supported. Training sessions are still held every weekend, even on competition weekends! The HVFT Coaching team will be there at the Training Center, ready as always as per the regular schedule for great day of training!
I would like to contact the coach who is instructing my child, how can I contact them?
The Coaching Team at Holiday Valley is available to answer any questions regarding your child’s needs at the Holiday Valley Training Center during the training sessions. However, please be mindful that mornings can be quite busy setting up courses and making sure racers are ready.
Coaches can also be contacted directly through the Team Snap app.
Phone the Training Center at 716-699-2345 ext 4414 and someone will answer your questions or direct your call to the proper channels.
How do I communicate with HVFT coaches and families for team-related matters?
The Holiday Valley Freestyle Team uses Team Snap for all team-related communication, whether direct to individuals or for team-wide communications. All team-related communication is to be sent to the HVFT PA Leadership Team for review prior to being sent. Please refrain from sending personal mass emails or group emails for team-any related activity. We strive for consistency and equity in communication, ensuring that all team members and their families are engaged and united in an inclusive team environment. The Team Snap app provides a centralized platform for individual chats and team-wide communication.
How do I get involved with the HVFT Parents Association?
The HVFT PA welcomes family members to engage and get involved in team-related activities! We’re always looking for a helping hand, whether it’s leading a specific committee, supporting a fundraiser event, or even just lending a hand on race days. If you are interested in volunteering, please connect directly with the HVFT PA Directors to discuss available opportunities.
2025 Directors: Mike Chess, Shawn Laraba, Michael Zonta
How do the athletes get lockers?
Contact Miguel, the Program Director, at 716-699-2345 ext. 4414 or see the Training Center front desk during training hours.
Who do I contact if I have further questions?
The HVFT is a very close and welcoming community. If you have further questions about the program, your athlete’s development, or the HVFT Parent’s Association, please contact the HVFT Coaching Staff or HVFT PA Directors directly.