In the first two posts of our Athletic Development Series, we explored the WVABBTS philosophy and the importance of building a broad athletic foundation. In this third post, we are looking at one of the most important, and sometimes misunderstood, parts of athlete development: free skiing and riding. It can be tempting to view time in gates, mogul courses, terrain …
In the first post of our Athletic Development Series, we introduced the WVABBTS philosophy and its focus on developing the whole athlete. Now, we are taking a closer look at the foundation of that philosophy: general athleticism. The WVABBTS athletic staff views development as an ordered pyramid consisting of physical conditioning, technical and tactical skiing skills, and mental preparation. Before …
More Than Results: How WVABBTS Defines Athlete Development – Post 1 Every parent wants to see their child succeed. In ski racing, however, success is not always easy to measure. A finish result provides one data point, but it does not tell the full story of an athlete’s development. This post begins a series exploring the WVABBTS Athletic Philosophy and …
At Waterville Valley Academy, growth is not just measured in podiums and results, although we are committed to achievement. It is measured in consistency, resilience, learning to push through setbacks, supporting teammates, and finding ways to get a little bit better every day. The 2025/26 season for the WVA FIS Men’s team was a powerful example of exactly that. On …
At Waterville Valley Academy, growth is not just measured in podiums and results, although we are committed to achievement. It is measured in consistency, resilience, learning to push through setbacks, supporting teammates, and finding ways to get a little bit better every day. The 2025/26 season for the WVA FIS Men’s team was a powerful example of exactly that. On …
Press Release: Hometown standout Grace Henderson has earned a spot on Team USA and will represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina this February. Grace, 24, has been chasing her Olympic dream since childhood. She began skiing at a young age and has been a member of the U.S. Freeski Team since just 15 years old. …
There is something about a mountain that refuses to let you hide. It exposes your strengths, your fears, your habits, and your limits. It demands honesty. It demands effort. And if you stay with it long enough, it teaches you resilience…the kind that lasts far beyond a race course or a training lane. Resilience is not a slogan at WVABBTS. …
This past week, the world returned to a place that has shaped the very soul of freestyle skiing: Waterville Valley. It was a homecoming. A reminder that the roots of this sport run deep here, in a valley that has always attracted the bold, the creative, and the fearless. In 1971, the mountain hosted the first Professional Freestyle Skiing Competition, …
Our Coaches WVABBTS is built on a coaching philosophy that combines high standards, intentional rigor, and a commitment to long-term athlete development, emphasizing strong technical fundamentals and smart, progressive training. Our experienced coaching staff integrates Burdenko-style dryland training, performance-based nutrition education, and mental toughness training to develop balance, coordination, strength, resilience, and confidence, preparing athletes to perform at their highest …
The Pat Harty & Sosman Memorial Races This past weekend marked an exciting and meaningful chapter for our program as the Pat Harty Memorial and Sosman Memorial races were hosted on the newly homologated High Country race course at Waterville Valley. These U16+ events served as a strong early-season competitive opportunity and a celebration of the people and history that …
