Freeride Snowboard Coaching
at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden BC
Sideways Strategies offers a progressive training program for athletes aged 9-18 years old. Our program is for competitive and pre-competitive athletes to allow riders to learn new freeride skills in a fun and supportive environment. Our Coaches will teach athletes how to navigate the endless freeriding terrain Kicking Horse Mountain has to offer.
To qualify for the team, athletes must be capable of riding on all of the black diamond terrain at KHMR. This program focuses on developing freeriding skills to help riders build confidence in our big mountains and prepare for freeride competitions. The majority of the time athletes will be snowboarding on ungroomed terrain, primarily in steep and treed areas with unmarked cliff features. This corresponds to the snow school's ability chart of level 5. If your child is not ready or willing to be in these areas, regardless of conditions, then we recommend registering for one of the resort’s freeride programs to gain the confidence needed.
Although this program is geared towards freeride competitions, you do not have to compete to be a part of our club.
Independent Athlete Freeride Coaching
Learn how to become a confident, strong, and playful freeride competitor alongside seasoned veteran Jessie Oatway.
Based on riding level and experience, riders will have the opportunity to learn and improve on multiple different freeride skills; Such as popping higher, tweaking grabs, exploring rotations, learning butters, and many other fun snowboarding antics. We will focus on how to read terrain in many different conditions, learn about the hazards of big mountain riding, practice safe riding techniques, and learn line-scoping strategies so riders can get around the venues with ease and choose lines wisely. Helping riders know when and where it is safe to explore their jumping capabilities and how to snowboard with less effort by allowing our big mountain terrain to work to their advantage. There are not many riders who have the first-hand experience like our head coach. Jessie takes great pride in sharing his passion and knowledge to help other riders progress safely.
We understand that each rider has different strengths and abilities, we focus on each rider’s individual goals and needs.
Competitive Only - (Coach travels to competitions with athletes)
12-Week Freeride Program
Learn how to become a more confident, stronger, and playful freestyle freerider alongside seasoned veteran Jessie Oatway.
Based on riding level and experience, riders will have the opportunity to learn and improve on multiple different freeride skills; Such as popping higher, tweaking grabs, exploring rotations, learning butters, and many other fun snowboarding antics. We will focus on how to read terrain in many different conditions, learn about the hazards of big mountain riding, practice safe riding techniques, and learn line-scoping strategies so riders can get around the mountain with ease and choose lines wisely at competition venues. Helping riders know when and where it is safe to explore their jumping capabilities and how to snowboard with less effort by allowing our big mountain terrain to work to their advantage. There are not many riders who have the first-hand experience and know the mountains like our head coach. Jessie takes great pride in sharing his passion and knowledge to help other riders progress safely.
We understand that each rider has different strengths and abilities, we focus on each rider’s individual goals and needs.
Non-Competitive - (Every Saturday or Sunday for 12 Weeks)
Competitive - (Coaches travel to competitions with athletes)
Opening Winter 2024/2025
Private Coaching Session
Go out with local snowboard pro, Jessie Oatway and let him share his passion and knowledge of our local mountain with you during a private one-on-one session. Riders must know how to ride, carve, stop, and have confidence in big mountain terrain.
Coaching sessions are done at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
* Lift tickets are required
Available December - April