PINNACLE FIS TEAM

HIGH-LEVEL RACING. PERSONAL GROWTH.

Pinnacle’s FIS Team opens the door to high-level FIS competition across North America and internationally. At some races, athletes may even share the start list with World Cup competitors, but the experience is bigger than any result sheet. Through demanding race environments, travel, and shared experiences with teammates, coaches, and families, athletes grow physically and mentally, strengthen their skiing, build lasting connections, and discover how far the sport can take them.

Program at a Glance

2026-27 SEASON | 2006-2010 BIRTH YEARS

WHO IT’S FOR

U18/U21 athletes planning to compete in FIS races

LOCATIONS

Pine Knob or Alpine Valley home hill



Mt. Holly as scheduled

TRAINING

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday

6:30-8:30 p.m.



Plus scheduled weekends

PROGRAM TUITION

$4,495

Includes coaching expenses for designated FIS opportunities on the official team calendar

IS THE PINNACLE FIS TEAM THE RIGHT FIT?

High-level opportunities. Development-first coaching. A pathway built around the athlete.

READY TO EXPLORE FIS RACING

This team is for U18/U21 athletes who want to experience FIS competition, expand their racing opportunities, and continue developing within Pinnacle’s upper-level training environment. Athletes may arrive with different levels of experience and different long-term goals. The common thread is an interest in learning, competing, and discovering what the next stage of ski racing can offer.

A HIGH-LEVEL RACING EXPERIENCE

The FIS Team combines complete home training, designated Searchmont projects, and coaching at the FIS races identified on the official team calendar. Opportunities may include Mid-Am races, championships, national events, and selected out-of-region or international competitions, giving athletes experience at new venues, on demanding courses, and within strong competitive fields.

PART OF A BIGGER PATHWAY

FIS racing is one stage within a broader competitive pathway that can extend from junior, Region 3, and high-school racing to collegiate competition, NorAms, U.S. Nationals, and, for athletes who continue to progress, U.S. Ski Team consideration. Pinnacle athletes have competed in NorAms and qualified for U.S. Nationals.

Pinnacle’s role is to support athletes along that pathway - providing consistent training, experienced coaching, thoughtful race selection, and guidance as each athlete discovers where the sport may lead.

WHAT THE FIS TEAM INCLUDES

A complete season built around training, travel, competition, and athlete development.

HOME TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

COMPLETE HOME-HILL TRAINING

FIS Team athletes receive complete home training within Pinnacle’s upper-level environment. Experienced coaching and individualized planning help each athlete continue developing technically, tactically, physically, and mentally throughout the season.

INCLUDES:

• Three weekday home-training opportunities
• Scheduled weekend training opportunities
• Technical and tactical development
• High-school race preparation
• Individualized season planning and race guidance

FIS RACING & TRAVEL

DESIGNATED SEARCHMONT & FIS COACHING INCLUDED

The FIS Team adds designated Searchmont training projects and coaching at selected FIS races on the official team calendar. Each athlete’s competition plan is guided by individual goals, eligibility, readiness, and coach recommendations.

INCLUDES:

• Coaching at designated Searchmont training projects
• Coaching expenses at designated FIS races on the official team calendar
• Individualized race selection and competition guidance
• Opportunities for Mid-Am, championship, national, and selected travel events
• Team support throughout training, travel, and competition

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Advanced preparation. Three weekly on-hill opportunities. One coordinated upper-level training group.

WEEKLY TRAINING STRUCTURE

MONDAY - Home-hill training | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY - Virtual mental-performance training when scheduled

WEDNESDAY - Home-hill training | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY - Home-hill training | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

WEEKENDS - Scheduled training or competition. Weekend training may be consolidated at Pine Knob, Alpine Valley, or occasionally Mt. Holly.

HOW THE SCHEDULE WORKS

HOME-HILL SELECTION

At the beginning of the season, families select Pine Knob or Alpine Valley as their home hill. Athletes normally train at their selected location on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

SHARED U16/U18/U21 TRAINING GROUP

U16, U18, and U21 athletes train together within Pinnacle's upper-level training group. They share the same weekday schedule and coordinated coaching structure.

SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS

Weekend sessions and early- or late-season training may be consolidated at one available hill. Mt. Holly may also be used for selected sessions. All location changes will be communicated through the official team calendar.

FALL DRYLAND

U18/U21 athletes are strongly encouraged to participate in Pinnacle's fall dryland program. Dryland training helps athletes develop the strength, conditioning, mobility, coordination, and physical readiness needed for the demands of the ski season. Program details and registration will be released separately.

RACING & COMPETITION

Purposeful race opportunities selected around each athlete’s goals, readiness, and continued development.

CORE RACE

SCHEDULE

REGION 3 & MID-AM COMPETITION

The FIS Team’s core race schedule is built around Region 3 scored racing and the broader Mid-Am Series. These events provide consistent, high-quality competition close to home and across the Midwest. From that foundation, additional FIS races and selected travel opportunities are added based on each athlete’s goals, eligibility, readiness, and coach guidance.

EXPANDED FIS OPPORTUNITIES

THE RIGHT RACES AT THE RIGHT TIME

Beyond the core Region 3 and Mid-Am schedule, athletes may pursue qualifiers, championships, national events, and selected out-of-region or international races. Pinnacle treats race selection as a development decision, matching opportunities to each athlete’s goals, experience, readiness, eligibility, and season plan. FIS Team tuition includes coaching expenses at designated races identified on the official team calendar.

CAMPS & TRAVEL PROJECTS

EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE HOME HILL

Travel projects give athletes more than additional days on snow. Training and racing in new environments help athletes become more adaptable, confident, and independent while building lasting relationships with teammates, coaches, and families. Coaching expenses for designated Searchmont projects are included with FIS Team tuition. Lift access, race-entry fees, lodging, transportation, meals, and personal expenses remain separate unless specifically stated.

WHAT FAMILIES SHOULD PLAN FOR

A clear look at memberships, access, and expenses that are separate from program tuition.

U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD MEMBERSHIP

REQUIRED

All U18/U21 athletes must maintain a current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Competitor membership to participate in sanctioned scored racing. Athletes entering FIS races must also complete the required FIS registration and maintain an active FIS license throughout the season.

LIFT ACCESS &

EQUIPMENT

FAMILY-PROVIDED

Program tuition does not include lift access. Families are responsible for season passes or lift tickets at training and competition venues, along with properly fitted ski equipment, a helmet, and any other required racing gear.

RACE & TRAVEL

EXPENSES

PAID SEPARATELY

Race-entry fees, athlete travel, lodging, transportation, meals, and personal expenses are separate from program tuition. FIS Team tuition includes coaching expenses for the designated Searchmont projects and FIS race opportunities identified as included on the official team calendar. Athlete-selected or additional opportunities may require separate coaching expenses.

FIS Schedule Preview

Explore the calendar below for a preview of our training and race schedule. Once registered, families receive access to the detailed team calendar in the PlayMetrics app, including locations, times, and program-specific information.



Schedules are subject to change. Registered families should check PlayMetrics for the latest details and updates.

READY TO EXPLORE THE NEXT STEP?

Every athlete’s pathway is different. Connect with Pinnacle to discuss your athlete’s goals, experience, readiness, and possible race schedule. We will help your family understand whether the FIS Team is the right fit and what the next season could look like.