1. Which camp is best for me or for my child?

Consider the mission and age appropriateness of each format.

1. Trampoline camp is for all ages and abilities. This format provides the best environment to learn the acrobatic skills of freestyle and free ride skiing. This is where athletes learn how to create twists, flips, and off-axis maneuvers with true aerial skill. Younger and less experienced athletes should attend Tramp Camp. Ages as young as 8 may participate. Our camps are organized by age.
2. Ramp camps offer the ideal environment to learn twists, flips, and new school maneuvers with skis on, ultimately leading to USSA maneuver qualification for winter competition. The minimum age requirement is 11 years old, or 12 if our camps are housed at the US Olympic Training Center. Experienced competitors consider Ramp Camp is essential for experienced competitors.
3. Whistler offers snow training environments and competition specific coaching for experienced competitive freestyle and free ride skiers. Highly dedicated competitors consider summer snow training critical to succeeding competitive goals. The best age to begin summer snow training (far from home) is 12.

2. Are age requirements flexible?

Yes, somewhat. However, all US Olympic Training Center based Ramp Camps have a minimum age of 12 years old. Please call us if you have age related questions.

3. Do all skill and experience levels of participant fit into all the camps?

Yes, the athlete participants at all camps have a skill range that includes novices through elite competitors. Skiing and acrobatics are individual sports activities. Our coaches will identify each athletes appropriate skill level and engage them accordingly at the ramps, on trampoline, on snow, or in all sports and conditioning environments to their individual skill level.

4. What should I bring to camp?

Each camp format (trampoline, water ramp, glacier training) has a specific “What to Bring” list available on each relevant web page.

• For Trampoline Camp: (Sandy, insert link to Tramp What to bring page)
• For Ramp Camp: (insert url for this page)
• For Whistler: (insert url for this page

Here is a quick reminder list for each camp format:

• All camps require a current USSA membership.
• Whistler Blackcomb participants need a passport.

For Ramp Camp equipment, bring 2 mouth guards, life-vest, wet suit, old skis, and  your ski boots. We can provide ramp skis for a $10/day rental, if you have none of your own. Life vests and wetsuits may be purchased at box store outlets for modest prices, or are best borrowed from a friend. We don’t have an inventory of either for campers to use.

For Trampoline Camp, bring a bike, helmet, and a bike lock. Or you may rent one here locally at Ski Fanatics,
ph:603 726-2743.

“What-Not-to-Bring” includes long boards, skate boards, motorized toys, unicycles, paint ball, water guns or any toys. Most are strictly forbidden at all our camp lodging environments. Plus, camp is a focused environment and distractions can be dangerous.

5. What day and time do I arrive and depart each camp?

All arrival days and times for Trampoline and Ramp Camps are between 4 and 6 PM on the 1st date listed on our schedule. Some have mistakenly arrived on the day before.

Departure dates are the last date listed, but are also a training day. Departure for trampoline Camps are at 12:00 noon. Departure for Ramp Camp is at 3 PM at the Ramp facility, known as the Olympic Jumping Complex.

6. How do I arrange travel for Whistler?

For Whistler, it works best to coordinate travel arrivals and departures from Vancouver Airport at the same time, or on the same itinerary, as the camp group. Our transport to and from Whistler and Vancouver Airport is designed to accommodate everyone. If you are planning to join the camp itinerary from Logan in Boston, or joining us at our hub to Vancouver, you must coordinate through the camp’s travel service, Winter Park Travel 800 325-2748. Please contact us directly by email or telephone also. Remember: Passports are required!

7. Are day students invited as campers?

Yes, local athletes may attend any camp as a day student. Plus, the locations for all our camps, (Whistler, British Columbia, the Adirondacks,  NH’s Lakes Region, and the White Mountains), are well visited destinations for family vacations.

8. Can I choose my own roommate?

Please indicate on your enrollment form, if you have a roommate preference. Your requested roommate should do likewise.

9. Can Snowboarders or other non-freestyle skiing athletes attend camp?

Trampoline Camp is well suited to serve all young athletes interested in learning acrobatic skills, whether for sport or for fun. Trampoline Camp is open to all young athletes.

Whistler/Blackcomb and the Ramp Camps in Lake Placid are freestyle sport specific.

10. What is USSA, and why is membership required?

The United States Ski and Snowboard Association is the governing body for the sport of Freestyle Skiing, Alpine Racing, Snowboarding, Cross-Country, Nordic Jumping and Disabled Skiing for Olympic, international and domestic competition. The USSA sanctions hundreds of snowsports competitions, as well as hundreds ski clubs, across the country. These clubs are the foundation of winter training programs and ski academies across the country. Freestyle America is a USSA member ski club. It is through this sanction that Freestyle America camps enjoy programs at the Blackcomb/Whistler ski area and at the US Olympic Training Center and the Olympic Jumping Complex in Lake Placid, including the required insurance. Therefore, we require USSA individual membership of all participants, staff, and coaches.

11. What supervision occurs at camp?

Apart from many camps, Freestyle America has a reputation for being well organized and closely supervised. Nick and Susan Preston are program directors and lodging owners with 27 years experience as camp operators. Nick directs the training activities, while Suzi manages the living environment for Tramp Camp and Whistler, and includes the athletes in kitchen and household duties and creating a secure and participatory environment. All camps number between a manageable 25 and 35 participants and include 6-8 staff. All athletes are housed in the same facilities among the coaching staff and the directors. Athletes have a strict curfew. Our older athletes follow a sing out/in policy, when venturing into the towns of Lake Placid or Whistler for movies or other approved activities. A ratio of 1 coach per 5 athletes assures attention to each camper, whether training or enjoying other sports, social, or extra-curricular activities.