Youth Programs
Mighty Mites
Fee - $380
Open to skiers ages 5-8. Our 5 week long Mighty Mites program is designed as an entry for first year MARA athletes.The Goal of the Mighty Mites program is to prepare athletes to advance in MARA racing. Led by passionate coaches and open to kids ages 5-8, Mighty Mites focuses on strengthening fundamental skills across all types of mountain terrain while introducing techniques of alpine ski racing. MARA athletes will not only strengthen their fundamentals and begin to learn racing skills, but form life-lasting friendships.
Abilities & Requirements
The Mt. Ashland Racing Association is not a learn to ski program. Our skiers train in all conditions, across all mountain terrain; all while teaching technique. Strong fundamentals required include: skiing with poles, making linked parallel turns (or mostly parallel turns) in both directions at a consistent speed, the ability to stop safely and effectively, and the ability to comfortably ride chairlifts with their chaperone or by themselves.
6 Week Alpine Introduction
Fee - $380
Generally recommended for novice MARA skiers. Designed to build basic downhill skills across all mountain terrain, this program hones in on the fundamentals of alpine racing. All of our programs are led by enthusiastic coaches who encourage athletes to love the sport of alpine skiing through a variety of games and drills. Athletes will learn to pole plant, side slip, skate, edge, and ride the moguls. 6 week Athletes spend about 25% of their time training gates.
Minimum Requirements:
MARA is not a “learn to ski” program. Athletes must be able to ski with poles, load and unload lifts unassisted and comfortably ride the lifts by themselves. They must also be able to ski all blue runs on Mt. Ashland. Additional requirements include making linked parallel, or mostly parallel turns in both directions at a consistent speed, with the ability to perform a hockey stop safely. Preferably, athletes will be skiing with poles upon entering the program. If these skills are beyond your athlete, we recommend registering with Mt. Ashland's Snowsports School!
- 6 week Saturday only sessions
- 6 week Sunday only sessions
Upon completing the 6 week program, athletes can extend to a 9 or 12 week program.
9 Week Alpine Development
Fee - $540
Recommended for skiers aged 8-12 years old. Designed to further develop alpine ski skills across all mountain terrain, 9 week athletes refine their downhill racing fundamentals. Perfecting their pole plant and transitions, side slip, skating, edging and carving, and riding the moguls. Development athletes spend approximately 25% of their time training in gates.
- 9 week Saturday only class
- 9 week Sunday only class
Upon completing the 9 week program, athletes have the option to continue the season, with a pro-rated fee, in an age and skill appropriate full season program.
12 Week Alpine Race
Fee - $707
- 12 week Saturday OR Sunday $707
- 12 week Saturday + Sunday sessions $1,207
Holiday Camp is complimentary for all 12 week athletes!
The Race program consists of two levels of training, Regional Race and USSA/FIS Race, each designed to refine and enhance the athlete’s skills and knowledge of the sport. The Race program is developmentally best for athlete’s ages 10-18 years old. Our athletes train and compete in Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G and Down Hill.
Race athletes will spend about 25%-35% of their time training in gates, depending on developmental level. The developmental activities are still heavily focused on free skiing and skill development, while introducing structured technical gate training. The Regional Race Teams will ski the entire mountain, including steeps, moguls, powder, trees, jumps and Slalom and Giant Slalom race skills.
The Regional Race program serves a wide range of skiing abilities, with an increased focus on cross training, goal setting, planning, and equipment. The coaches work closely together to evaluate and accommodate different ski and race levels. The program is for skiers ranging from little racing experience as well as those athletes with several years of racing behind them. The majority of time is spent in directed free skiing, with incremental increases in gate training. Giant Slalom is the main focus of all gate training, with a gradual increase in Slalom gate training.
Race Competition at this level is primarily regional at Mt. Ashland, Willamette Pass, Mt. Bachelor, and Mt. Shasta. Far West regional championship race is also available for qualifying athletes.
USSA / FIS Race U14-U18:
The U14s, U16s, and U18s will spend more time dedicated to gate training (approximately 35%-45%) and focus on developing solid racing technique and teaching course tactics . Time spent training each of the disciplines becomes more balanced. New elements are added, such as increased technical training, more detailed goal setting, performance planning, equipment, video analysis, and timed training runs.
The U14s, U16s and U18s train in Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G and the athletes are expected to arrive at training in good athletic shape and prepared to work with their equipment in excellent condition. Dry land training is a major component of this program and participation is highly recommended. Free skiing emphasis is on hard, fast skiing in challenging terrain. Following the USSA model, free skiing will still be a vital part of this program and coaches will utilize our terrain to aid in athletic skill and mental development. While the program still provides a fun, social environment for the athletes, they will learn to work harder to improve and achieve pre-set goals.
The U16s and U18s are very focused and serious about their ski racing. Training sessions will be customized for each athlete and the focus is on refining skills to the highest level.
Thursday Night Gates
Drop Ins Available $22
Full Program $180
9 weeks of training, athletes ski from 6:00-8:00 pm. This program is designed to give MARA racers additional training in a controlled environment. Athletes will hone their Slalom skills in preparation for local and regional events. This is open to any athlete that is able to ski independently on Mt. Ashland during night skiing (without coach supervision outside the training course).
*must be enrolled in a 6, 9, or 12 week MARA program.
Holiday Camp
Starting At $58 Per Session
Get Acclimated At MARA's Holiday Camp!
Runs during Christmas break (after Christmas and before opening weekend)
Athletes must be season participants in order to register.
Athletes can participate on all 4 days or any combination of days.
Adult Programs
Masters
The MARA Masters Race program ages 18+
Drop–Ins Available $35
Full Program $380
This 12 Week Program focuses on gate training while improving fundamental skills. Helmets required. No previous race experience required!
Beer League
Fee $50 Per Person
Max 8 persons per team
Must be 21 years old to register. Helmets required. February Friday Nights from 6:00 - 8:00PM.
Proudly sponsored by the Rogue Ski Shop, Skout Taphouse & Provisions, and Common Block Brewery!
Racers get two official runs per night, and may take them at any time during the race window. Mulligans (do overs), can be purchased on site for $5 per run.
Four combined race times count towards each team’s cumulative score each night: fastest male, fastest female, plus the next two fastest on the team. Teams must have representation from both genders each night in order to score times for the overall championship. Participants who are unaffiliated with a team will be placed on existing teams with open roster slots. Prizes will be awarded for fastest team and individual performances at our closing ceremony at Skout Taphouse & Provisions ( date and time tbd).
Grab your gear, your friends, and come on up and get after it! Cheers!
Requirements
Abilities
The Mt. Ashland Racing Association is not a learn to ski program. Our programs train athletes across all mountain terrain; teaching a variety of techniques and turns, all of which require a strong foundation of basic fundamentals.
Required fundamentals include: skiing with poles, making linked parallel turns (or mostly parallel turns) in both directions at a consistent speed, have the ability to perform a hockey stop safely and effectively, the ability to ski all blue runs on Mt. Ashland, independently load and unload chairlifts (*including Ariel), and comfortably ride chairlifts by themselves.
Athletes’ skills will be assessed on the first day of training. This is to guarantee all athletes are placed in groups appropriate for their development and ability levels. If the skills mentioned above are beyond your athlete, we will refer you to the Mt. Ashland Ski School. They offer lessons that will help get your athlete up to speed. MARA membership fees will be returned in-full in these instances. Your athlete may re-enroll with MARA the following season.
Lift Tickets
Please note that we do not provide lift tickets. Families will need to purchase season passes or daily lift tickets directly from Mt. Ashland.
Gear
Lift tickets and season passes are purchased separately from Mt. Ashland. We encourage all MARA skiers purchase a season pass. Click here to buy your lift tickets.
Families are responsible for providing their athlete with the appropriate and necessary gear for MARA. Our skiers train in all conditions across all mountain terrain. Required gear includes a pair of all-mountain or alpine racing skis (with a recommended length from chin to forehead), snug-fitting boots, poles, a helmet, goggles, waterproof gloves, ski pants, and plenty of warm layers.
MARA provides team jackets through a seasonal lease program, which requires a $100 jacket deposit (per family, not per athlete). We encourage athletes to wear additional thick layers beneath their team jacket to stay plenty warm.