PROGRAMS

Thunderbolt Youth Training
2023-2024 Overview

Thunderbolt Training Centers offer ski race training for school-age skiers.
This program will improve your overall skiing ability as well as prepare you to become a serious racer.

Our program includes balance development, gate drills, course tactics, starts and finishes, slalom and giant slalom training.
All training is implemented using US Ski Teams Training Standards.

Please Note:

Participants MUST be able to load and unload from a chairlift independently, have at least one year of experience with skiing, and be able to turn and stop in a wedge position.

Helmet and goggles are mandatory.
Racers clearing gates must have a chin guard.
Hand, shin, forearm, and spine guards recommended.

What is Gate Training?

Gates are thin poles or squat stubs on ski slopes through which skiers pass (if set in pairs) or turn around (if set singly). They are used to produce a course for skiers and offer a variety of challenges. Gates are used for timed races. Coaches train their students to learn how to proficiently navigate the gates on a race course.

We work with kids at a variety of skill levels. While they must be able to ride a chair lift, have one year of experience and turn and stop in a wedge, not all kids are ready to confidently race down the hill full speed. When we work with students, we work with groups at different levels to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe time out on the slopes that is just right for their level.

Thunderbolt Junior Development Program

What is Junior Development? This is a term commonly used in the racing industry to describe youth programs that are designed to take developing skiers to greater levels. Participants receive instruction on racing, moguls, and working on steeper terrain according to their individual skill level. Some programs travel but we do not. We keep it affordable and fun by keeping things close to home. Students demonstrate their skills by competing in the Sunday Race Series.

This six-week racing program will begin between January 3 and 5, 2024. This is our base level of commitment for skiers of all abilities and race experience.

Mt Holly: For students K - 12

Pine Knob: For Students K - 8

Our successful and most popular program will remain the same plus all Sunday Morning Race Series are included in the price along with a Thunderbolt T-shirt.

Racers will be grouped by age, ski ability and race experience. We will work on free skiing drills each week for 45 minutes and then be in the gates using gate drills and full courses. We will start with Giant Slalom (larger turns) on week one and alternate between slalom (short turns) and giant slalom.

Participants MUST be able to load and unload from a chairlift independently, have at least one year of experience with skiing, and be able to turn and stop in a wedge position.

MT. HOLLY OPTIONS:
6 sessions / once per week $450
12 sessions / twice per week $550

PINE KNOB OPTIONS:
6 sessions / once per week $450
12 sessions / twice per week $550
18 sessions / three times week $650

REGISTRATION LINKS COMING SOON. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

Mt. Holly Junior Development Training:
Thur 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Pine Knob Junior Development Training:
Wed 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Thur 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Picture of high school racing teams. Many of these students are a part of the Thunderbolt racing programs. This photo is of nearly twenty youths dressed in winter ski gear and racing clothes, wearing helmets, skis, goggles, ski boots, and gloves, all smiling at the camera. They are outdoors at Pine Knob on a cloudy day, standing together on the snow on the race hill. You can see chairlifts in the background and the racing shack at the top of the hill.

ALL RACERS - PLEASE NOTE:
Helmet and goggles are mandatory.
Racers clearing gates must have a chin guard.
Hand, shin, forearm, and spine guards recommended.

HOLIDAY CAMPS

Join one of our popular Holiday Race Camps in late December. Choose the Thunderbolt Race Camp designed to give both competitive and recreational ski racers early season gate training and coaching.

Race camp takes place December 27, 2023 - December 31, 2023 and the cost is $560.00.
Mt Holly: For students K - 12
Pine Knob: For Students K - 8
Drop in pricing for either camp:
1-day Drop In: $160
2-day Drop In: $320
3-day Drop In: $480
4-day Drop In: $640

Registration links coming soon.
Spaces will fill up quickly.

Participants MUST be able to load and unload from a chairlift independently, have at least one year of experience with skiing, and be able to turn and stop in a wedge position.

Register for Pine Knob Holiday Camp: Grades K-8
LINK COMING SOON

Register for Mt. Holly Holiday Camp: Grades K-12
LINK COMING SOON

Meet the Pine Knob Sponsor:
Joseph Philip Craig Custom Homes

We are grateful to Joseph Philip Craig Custom Homes (JPCraig) for being a Thunderbolt Racing sponsor this season. They have a passion for ski racing and outdoor adventure and we are glad to have them on board.

JPCraig builds beautiful custom homes in Michigan and have been providing a complete build to suit experience for clients for over 40 years.

JPCraig

What is Pinnacle Racing?

Founded in 2008, Pinnacle Racing is a non-profit educational alpine ski racing program dedicated to providing elite levels of coaching and training in a competitive environment. We are dedicated to giving each athlete the optimal training experience by providing both on and off snow guidance, one- on- one or small group coaching, and state of the art facilities. Pinnacle is an USSA Central Region III club.

Pinnacle Race Program Calendar