by Stacy Falk

The younger generation of big mountain skiers in Southwest Colorado is growing faster than the kickers on Molas Pass. And as these kids push their limits with higher airs, steeper chutes and bigger tricks, some experienced coaching assistance isn’t a bad idea.

 

This winter marks the first year Durango can officially say it is home to a youth big mountain ski team. Dubbed the 4 Corners Free Ride Team, operating under the Durango Winter Sports Foundation (DWSF), boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18 are encouraged to join.

 

The team, coached by local ski enthusiast Brian Buerger, is hosting a free training day on Sun., Dec. 18, at Wolf Creek for anyone on the fence about whether or not this is their calling.

 

“It’s what kids want to do; go fast and jump off things,” Buerger said. “This program will allow for that in a safe and supervised environment.”

 

The team will focus on the category of free skiing defined by the International Freeskiers Association as free ride or big mountain skiing. These techniques involve advanced technical skiing in a variety of terrain and conditions, tree skiing and park and pipe skiing. Attention to line choice, snow conditions and avalanche safety will also be a huge focus for the team.

 

Buerger, 35, says that he always knew this type of ski team would be a success in Durango but didn’t exactly have the resources to make it happen. The head alpine racing coach for the Purgatory Ski Team, Leah LeSage, also saw the niche and was put in contact with Buerger.

 

“From a social standpoint right now, it’s the cool thing to do,” LeSage said. “We want to help set examples in a fun, positive light and keep kids in the program.”

 

Buerger comes from a strong background in the big mountain style of coaching as well as holding the highest certifications with the Professional

Ski Institute of America. After spending six seasons developing and maintaining the Alta Freeride Division (AFD) in Utah, one of the more prestigious teams in the youth free-ride world, Buerger said he made the decision to stay home this winter with his wife, Gloria Kaasch, the Youth Ski School Director at Durango Mountain Resort.

 

Perfect timing for Buerger, as the DWSF was looking for someone capable of starting a free-ride program that could grow in numbers and last for years. Buerger’s ski resume certainly fit the bill.

 

Many kids from the Alta program have advanced to compete on the junior free-ride tour and win, says Stephen Helfenbein, head coach and founder of AFD. Buerger was responsible for coaching all of these top-dog skiers, now sponsored and competing at the national level, he said.

 

“One thing that separates Brian from the other coaches is his ability to work with teen-agers,” Helfenbein said. “The kids respect him, love him and miss him already.”

 

Anyone who knew Buerger during his Alta days knew him as the “Velvet Hammer,” said Helfenbein. “He has the ability to drop the hammer, so to speak, but he’s also just a big teddy bear with an incredible sense of humor that just wants to have fun.”

 

Helfenbein also attributes Buerger’s coaching abilities, as well as his professional and real world experiences, to the success that has made AFD one of the longest running programs in the West. “His role is very significant in that, and his roots are deep.”

 

AFD started small, with eight kids in 2003, and now includes 50 members programmed around 14 coaching sessions and three major competitions.

 

“Free ride skiing is a fun, healthy competition that I can see working really well in Durango,” Helfenbein said. “It’s fun for the whole family without a super huge commitment.”

 

On the racing end of things, LeSage says she is not worried if she looses some athletes to the new program. With the success of US Ski Team icons, such as Lindsey Vonn and Ted Ligety, there is still a popular movement in youth  ski racing, she said.

 

Over the past few ski seasons, LeSage says she put out surveys to parents about a free-ride team with an emphasis on backcountry awareness.

 

“Seventy-five percent of the feedback was that ‘yes we want to provide this program for the kids.’”

 

By partnering with South West Adventure (SWA) Guides, the team will be able to provide necessary avalanche awareness and backcountry travel skills.

 

“The transition to big mountain skiing brings more excitement about the backcountry and Silverton,” Nate Disser, owner and director of SWA Guides, said.

 

SWA Guides is offering a three-day Level 1 avalanche course designed to develop an understanding that safety is first, Disser said. The course provides a standardized avalanche certification through the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.

 

Much of what is taught will be fundamentals and a working knowledge of terrain. This will greatly help the kids develop crucial decision-making skills and techniques not only in the local backcountry but also on a national level.

 

And while Buerger has hashed out the details of partnering with DMR, Wolf Creek, Silverton Mountain, DWSF and SWA Guides, there is one thing missing: dedicated team members.

 

“There’s a lot of interest but not a lot of commitment yet,” Buerger said. Hence the free training day aimed at securing those who are interested. From there it’s a quick application and a 15-minute interview. Scholarships are available through the DWSF.

 

But Buerger isn’t too worried. “As soon as people hear and see what we are doing, I imagine it will catch on.”

 

Jen Brill, co-founder of Silverton Mountain, says she has never worked with a free ride team such as Buerger’s, but is supportive of the idea. She said when she discovered that Buerger, who interned with Silverton, was coaching, there was no hesitation to get involved.

 

“He is a top-notch individual with not only a great eye for the terrain but is really good working with the kids,” Brill said. “Brian is a huge reason we are working with the team because we know him, and he knows the mountain.”

 

As interest grows, Buerger said he will determine how the competition scene pans out. This year he would be happy to take even one or two kids to a big mountain competition.

 

There are many extreme competitions to choose from, but the biggies on the Junior Freeskiing Tour this year include Crested Butte, Crystal Mountain in Washington, Squaw Valley and Snowbird. Skiers are judged on five categories: line selection, control, fluidity, technique and style/energy.

 

Another benefit for Durango’s new team, Buerger has been a judge for many of these competitions and is proficient at teaching kids to ski for what the judges want.

 

“The main goal this year is to just get it off the ground,” Buerger said. “Things are looking good.”

For more information about joining the 4 Corners Free Ride Team, please visit http://www.purgatoryskiteam.org/big-mountain-team/ or call Brian Buerger, 946-1339, or Leah LeSage, 946-3515