We’re gearing up to race and couldn’t be more excited for the 2025–2026 season. See you at the starting line!
Thunderbolt Youth Training
2025-2026 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.
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.
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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 in January. This is our base level of commitment for skiers of all abilities and race experience.
Mt Holly will begin Thursday, January 8 or Saturday, January 10.
Pine Knob will begin Wednesday, January 7, Thursday January 8, or Saturday, January 10.
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.
Daily lift tickets, season passes, and rental equipment are not included with any Thunderbolt programs and must be purchased separately.
This six-week racing program will begin in January. This is our base level of commitment for skiers of all abilities and race experience.
Mt Holly will begin Thursday, January 8 or Saturday, January 10.
Pine Knob will begin Wednesday, January 7, Thursday January 8, or Saturday, January 10.
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.
Daily lift tickets, season passes, and rental equipment are not included with any Thunderbolt programs and must be purchased separately.
MT. HOLLY OPTIONS:
1 day per week $450
2 days per week $550
PINE KNOB OPTIONS:
1 day per week $450
2 days per week $550
3 days per week $650
1 day per week $450
2 days per week $550
PINE KNOB OPTIONS:
1 day per week $450
2 days per week $550
3 days per week $650
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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. |
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ALL RACERS - PLEASE NOTE:
Helmet and goggles are mandatory.
Racers clearing gates must have a chin guard.
Hand, shin, forearm, and spine guards recommended.
Helmet and goggles are mandatory.
Racers clearing gates must have a chin guard.
Hand, shin, forearm, and spine guards recommended.
PINE KNOB THUNDERBOLT PRE-TRAINING CLINIC
Please note that Pine Knob will not be hosting a Holiday Race Camp this season.
Instead, Pine Knob Thunderbolt will offer Pre-training Clinics designed to give athletes a strong start to the season:
Instead, Pine Knob Thunderbolt will offer Pre-training Clinics designed to give athletes a strong start to the season:
- Dates: December 27, 28, 29, and 30
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Ages: 8 to 13 (Restricted to U8 and U14)
- Focus: Directed slalom and giant slalom technical skiing drills (gate drill availability based on base snow depth at time of clinic.)
- Cost: $120 per day
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.
Daily lift tickets, season passes, and rental equipment are not included with any Thunderbolt programs and must be purchased separately.
Daily lift tickets, season passes, and rental equipment are not included with any Thunderbolt programs and must be purchased separately.
MT HOLLY HOLIDAY RACE CAMP
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Join our popular Holiday Race Camp in late December. The Thunderbolt Race Camp at Mt. Holly is designed to provide the serious racer, as well as the recreational skier, the opportunity for extensive early season gate training and coaching.
Our 5 Day on snow camp is $450, all area lift tickets are required for each day and are not included in camp price. Area of concentration include:
Race camp takes place December 27 - December 31. For Students K - 8 |
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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.
Daily lift tickets, season passes, and rental equipment are not included with any Thunderbolt programs and must be purchased separately.
Daily lift tickets, season passes, and rental equipment are not included with any Thunderbolt programs and must be purchased separately.
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.
Meet the Pine Knob Sponsor:
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What is Pinnacle Racing?
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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 |
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Find us on Social Media
Our Sponsors
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CONTACT US
Pine Knob Ski School
[email protected]
Phone: 248-625-0800 ext: 4
Mt Holly Ski School
[email protected]
Phone: 248-634-3249
[email protected]
Phone: 248-625-0800 ext: 4
Mt Holly Ski School
[email protected]
Phone: 248-634-3249
