Future J3 SVSEF racers inspect a
course with a Sun Valley coach.
Sun Valley
TO LAUNCH SKI AND SNOWBOARD ACADEMY
The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF), in partnership with The Community School,
will launch a ski and snowboard academy this fall for high school athletes who wish to study and train
at the famous Idaho resort.
“The partnership facilitates the athletic and academic goals of motivated, talented young men and
women in a world class sending,” said David Holmes, a Community School trustee and the incom-
ing headmaster. The Community School, which was founded in 1973, is a K through 12, private
institution.
“Our goal is to provide an opportunity for serious skiers and snowboarders to advance their ath-
letic careers and attain an independent school education of the highest quality,” Holmes added.
“We will be looking to attract student-athletes from around the globe.
The SVSEF was founded in 1966 and provides year-round ski and snowboard training and com-
petition opportunities for 500 athletes each year.
“We strive for athletic excellence,” said Don Wiseman, the executive director of the foundation.
“Blending athletes’ needs for high-quality education with our existing assets is natural progres-
sion. Currently we have 102 athletes who attend the school, so some of the process is already in
place.”
The new academy will have boarding capability and will also provide a program for athletes who
live in the local communities. Coaches will conduct training on Baldy, which is within minutes of the
school, and on Dollar Mountain, which borders the campus. Cross country training will happen at
the Foundation’s Lake facility, which has several FIS-homologated courses. In addition, there are
more than 200 kilometers of groomed trails around the campus.
The new institution will be no stranger to accommodating elite-level athletes. Past Community
School graduates include Christin Cooper, an Olympic silver medalist; and Megan Gerety and
Reggie Crist, all of whom skied for the alpine team. Cross country skier Morgan Arritola, who grad-
uated from the Community School in 2004, is a current member of the U.S. Ski Team and skied in
the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
Sun Valley, which turns 75 this season, is the nation’s oldest destination ski resort and has more
than 2,000 acres of terrain on Bald Mountain. Dollar hosts a 40-acre slopestyle park as well as
alpine training terrain.
Those interested in learning more can contact Katie Robins, admissions director, at (208) 622-
3955, Ext. 117 or krobins@communityschool.org.
A Sun Valley coach readies a
Community School student and
SVSEF team member for a start
at Snowbasin, Utah.
Go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ski-racing/id393563772?mt=0
