Racing has wrapped up—thank you for an incredible 2024-2025 season! We’re already gearing up for next year, so stay tuned this autumn for exciting details about the 2025-2026 season. See you at the starting line!

Thunderbolt Youth Training
​2024-2025 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  January 9, 10, and 11, 2025,  depending on your selection. This is our base level of commitment for skiers of all abilities and race experience.

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 LINK FOR MT HOLLY:
REGISTRATION FOR PINE KNOB IS CLOSED
​To be added to the waitlist, please contact: [email protected]

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.
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, 2024 - December 31, 2024 and the cost is $560.00.
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
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.

Registration is closed

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. 

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

I think the most important thing in skiing is you have to be having fun. If you're having fun, then everything else will come easy to you. - Lindsey Vonn

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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