Great Divide Ski Team
The Great Divide Ski Team brings over 40 years of tradition and history to our community and our kids. We have the best coaching staff in the region, and we welcome all kids who love the sport of skiing!
- Personal ski coaching (small groups)
- Learn to ski all trails and terrain at Helena's Great Divide Ski Area
- Share the fun of skiing with other Helena kids
- Develop skills to ski anywhere
- Become a ski racer, if you wish
- Financial scholarships available upon request
4 GREAT PROGRAMS
For kids 7-18, all skiing levels welcome
All Mountain Squad
Introduced in 1999, the All Mountain program is designed to enable young skiers to master all types of terrain and snow condition with confidence. This program focuses on development of all-mountain skiing skills that can eventually be applied to ski racing or to a lifetime of recreational skiing enjoyment.
Participation in the All Mountain program has steadily increased to 140 participants in recent years. The success of the program lies with its orientation toward fun and time spent skiing all trails at Great Divide Ski Area. Coaches teach groups as a team but with personal attention and support to each young skier.
The All Mountain program is open to skiers ages 7 to 15 who have basic skiing skills as this is not a beginner program. Skiers must be able to handle their own equipment, make controlled turns, be able to ride the Good Luck Lift wtihout assistance, and have a desire to learn and have fun. Participation of skiers younger than 7 will be considered by the director of the program and is based on ability and maturity.
All Mountain is offered on Saturday or Sunday from 9:30 to 1:30 starting January 5 and 6 at Great Divide. The program concludes February 23 & 24. There is no All Mountain President's Day weekend, Feb. 16 & 17.
Cost: $195 for seven weeks. Skiers are responsible for their own equipment and lift ticket. Scholarships are available on request and are based on need. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited. Great Divide Ski Area has a great ski equipment rental program.
Development Program
This program is specifically designed for the advancing intermediate level skier who has participated in the All Mountain program and has an interest in ski racing and more advanced instruction.
This program is between All Mountain and the Race Program in skill and commitment, and emphasizes strengthening fundamental skiing skills and developing ski racers.
Participants and coaches will meet on December, 15 for "Devo Day" to introduce the program and determine if the development program is right for the athlete. The program will run on Saturdays from January 5 thru February, 23 from 9 to 2:30.
Cost: $275 for the program. Skiers are responsible for their lift ticket and equipment.
Race Team
Racing has been a part of skiing at Great Divide since the hill was founded in 1942, originally called Belmont Ski Hill. Mt. Belmont's first trail was built to accommodate the 1942 Northern Rocky Mountain Ski Races. Mt. Belmont was home to Helena's only U.S.. Olympic Ski Team member, Rogers Little who qualified for the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo, Japan only to be forced out due to injury. Rogers continues to be involved with skiing at Great Divide and serves as Director of the Great Divide Ski Team and Belmont Ski Education Foundation. Kevin Taylor took over in 1986 and changed the name to Great Divide for the '86-'87 season. The Mt. Belmont lift, built in 1986, was the first chair on the mountain. Since then four more chairlifts have been added covering a terrain of 1500+ acres and over 140 trails.
There are two race programs to choose from for those with an interest in alpine ski racing. Both programs emphasize all elements of alpine racing taught by experienced coaches. Racers learn skills for Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super-G disciplines with chances to compete in races held at Montana ski areas. Those qualifying for post season races have the chance to compete in races held throughout the West.
One Day Race Team is for beginning and younger racers. This program is held on Saturdays starting December, 8 (snow permitting) from 9 to 3 at Great Divide and runs through March. The Two Day Race Team is for the older, more advance ski racers with a serious commitment to ski racing. This program is held on Saturday and Sunday starting November 24 (snow permitting) from 9 To 3 at Great Divide and runs through March.
Cost: $550 for One Day - includes a 3-day Christmas Camp, Dec. 26-28 and Wednesday night training. USSA license not included.
$700 for Two Day - includes a 5-day Christmas Camp, Dec. 26-30 and Wednesday night training. USSA license not included.
Scholarships are available on request and are based on need.