BY KAREN BOSSICK

Dozens of junior skiers will swarm Bald Mountain today as Sun Valley Resort hosts a Pre-Thanksgiving Training Camp at Sun Valley.

They’ll find great conditions from top to bottom, according to those who tested the slopes on Thursday, emerging with big grins on their faces.

And those who represent the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation will usher it into its 59th year.

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is heading into the 2024-25 winter season with nearly 900 athletes on 31 teams across seven disciplines, according to Heather Foster, director of Strategic Communications and Development for the foundation.

Those seven disciplines are Alpine, Big Mountain, Cross Country, Freeski, Freestyle, Mini X, and Snowboarding.

Thirteen SVSEF alumni have been named to the U.S. National Teams in 2024-25:

Chase Josey, U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team (SVSEF Snowboarding Alum)

Colin Hanna, U.S. Alpine Development/NorAm Team (SVSEF Alpine Alum)

Dasha Romanov, U.S. Alpine C/Europa Cup Team (SVSEF Alpine Alum)

Finnigan Donley, U.S. Alpine Development/NorAm Team (SVSEF Alum)

Jack Smith, U.S. Alpine C/Europa Cup Team (SVSEF Alpine Alum)

Jake Adicoff, U.S. ParaNordic Team (SVSEF XC Gold Team)

Jesse Keefe, U.S. ParaAlpine A Team (SVSEF Alpine Alum)

John Steel Hagenbuch, U.S. Cross Country B Team (SVSEF XC Alum)

Kevin Bolger, U.S. Cross Country B Team (SVSEF XC Alum)

Paige DeHart, U.S. Alpine Development/NorAm Team (SVSEF Alpine Alum)

Ryder Sarchett, U.S. Alpine C/Europa Cup Team (SVSEF Alpine Alum)

Sammy Smith, U.S. Cross Country (A) Team (SVSEF XC Alum)

Sydney Palmer-Leger, U.S. Cross Country B Team (SVSEF XC Alum).

Additionally, Haley Cutler claimed a spot on the World Cup Circuit this year and will be pursuing downhill podiums beginning Dec. 14 in Beaver Creek, Colo.

SVSEF will host several events or competitions in 2024-25:

Alpine

Nov 23-27 Pre-Thanksgiving Training Camp at Sun Valley

Feb 7-9 34th Annual Laura Flood Memorial Race at Sun Valley (U16)

Feb 22-23 Monroe Cup at Rotarun (hosted by SVSEF)

Feb 17  Arkoosh Cup at Rotarun (hosted by Rotarun)

Mar 22-27 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals (hosted by Sun Valley)

Mar 30 8th Annual Gary Black, Jr. Memorial Race at Sun Valley 

Cross Country 

Dec 21 Winter Start at Lake Creek

Dec 28 Holiday Bonfire at Lake Creek

Jan 11 Snowmaker Classic at Lake Creek

Jan 30 Ketchum NordicTown Sprints in Downtown Ketchum

Feb 1 Boulder Mountain Tour (SVSEF not host, but athletes compete)

Feb 15 Quigley Cup at Quigley Nordic Center

Feb 20-23 Intermountain Division (IMD) Jr Nationals Qualifier at Lake Creek

March 8 Cross Country Devo Festival at Lake Creek

Freeski

Feb 1-2 USASA Slopestyle Big Mountain West, Dollar Mountain

Freestyle

Jan 25-26 Freestyle Spectacular at Roundhouse, Sun Valley

Feb 8-9 Roundhouse Rumble at Roundhouse, Sun Valley

Snowboarding

Jan 30-Feb 2 USASA Slopestyle and Boardercross Big Mountain West, Dollar Mountain

Fundraising Events

Dec 13 48th Annual Wild Game Dinner at The Argyros

Jan 11 Cross Country Après Snowmaker Fundraiser at Sage School

Apr 3-5 26th Annual Janss Pro-Am Classic at Sun Valley

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation was founded in 1966. It offers an array of programs for athletes ages 5 and older from learn-to-ski and ride classes to international-level competition. Fundraisers help the Foundation provide academic assistance and financial assistance to student-athletes.