Inspiring Passion For The Mountain Lifestyle – Mt. Shasta Ski and Snowboard Team

Inspiring a lifelong passion for the mountain lifestyle” is one of the founding mottos for the Mt. Shasta Ski and Snowboard Team (MSST). This program is made up of eight different teams ranging from Team Starters Ski for ages 5-9 to Masters for 21 and older. Most practices take place on the weekends, especially on Saturdays at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park.

Opportunities for new skiers and serious racers

While the MSST offers lots of opportunities for new skiers and snowboarders, they also train serious racers, many of whom have placed at national competitions. For  example, Robbie Burns, who recently competed in the US Olympic Snowboarding Team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. was a MSST member who says,“At a young age I found my passion for snowboarding on the slopes of Mount Shasta Ski Park.”

Jeanne George, a MSST Team Starters Coach, says youth must know how to ski and turn, and load a lift to join the Team Starters. “We work on building confidence skiing, proper weighting of skis to turn, and athletic stance,” she says, with free skiing and also “fun games and activities to practice skills.” She says one of her favorite parts of the job is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces while they’re learning a lifelong skill.

Head Race Coach Dana Randolph helps organize the group’s travel for the US Ski and Snowboard Association’s (USSA) events.“The USSA or Far West team works primarily on improving race skills to become strong racers and skiers and meet personal goals. This includes working on increasing speed and technique,” she says. Supporting athletes in a fun, tight-knit atmosphere is one of her favorite parts of MSST.

Freestyle — developing kids into strong riders

Brian Kerr is the Head Coach of the Freestyle Team, made up of kids between 10 and 14 years old learning techniques such as jumping, grabbing, spinning and sliding rails. His favorite part of being a coach is “Developing the kids into strong riders, being there when the ‘light bulb’ goes on and they realize they can do it.” He says the team “Gets them outdoors and off the screens. They get used to being out in the weather the entire day, and it gives them a connection to being in the mountains moving their bodies and enjoying nature.” This year the team will go to Bend, Oregon and North Tahoe for competitions through the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association Competition Program.

From Left to right. Former MSRA President Chris Chase and daughter Carter. Board member Tim WIlliams and daughter Sydnie. Matilda Karlsson.

Theone Kerr, a third-year member of the Freestyle Team, is a 7th grader at Golden Eagle Charter School who says he joined, “To get better at snowboarding and riding with other kids.” One of his favorite memories from the team is “Going to Woodward (an indoor foam pit training facility in Tahoe), [where he] got to learn a bunch of flips and 360’s.”

Former MSST all mountain snowboard coach, Danika Pauley was also on the Freestyle Team. She competed in the junior women’s division, and her career kicked off when she placed third at nationals for women in slope style. After that, major companies like Rossignol and Smith sponsored her while she continued to compete at professional competitions.

The Starters Team after finishing their Starters Fun Race. This is the first racing experience for these 5-8 year olds. In the back row are coaches Ryan O’Malley,
Ms. Coleman, Audrey Vierra and Chris James

“There are greater horizons out there”

“I think kids should join the MSST and parents should allow their kids to join the team because you never know what doors it will open up for your athlete,” Danika says. “It teaches them they are only limited by what they decide they are limited by. There are greater horizons out there, and you never know where those pathways might take you. You might surprise yourself at what you can accomplish.”

Operating since 1987, the Mt. Shasta Race Association (MSRA) works together with the MSST to make these teams happen. All teams also teach overall mountain safety. Kids can join the team from any area, and many coaches and athletes currently live in Redding and travel up on the weekend. To find out more about MSST and how to join, visit mtshastaskiteam.com.