-Alpine Training Center Adds Competitive Youth Program-

November 22, 2011, Londonderry, VT: Long known for its ‘Extreme’ skiing competitions held annually on some of the East’s most challenging terrain, Magic Mountain has formally expanded its Alpine Training Center to include youth freeskiing training and competitions, in addition to alpine race training. The Magic Freeskiing Team will take its place alongside the Magic Alpine Race Team and provide children with season-long training and competitive opportunities to enhance their technical skill and love for the sport of skiing.

Both the Magic Freeskiing and Racing Team programs can begin as early as ages 5-8 years old with the Alpine Training Center’s “Devo” or development program teaching the children the fundamental techniques for better skiing on varied terrain and courses. Once children progress and are of age, they will now have the opportunity to choose between pursuing the racing program, part of the Vermont Alpine Racing Association or the new freeskiing program which will be associated with the Ski The East Freeride Tour (STEFT). Magic is one of four founding mountains, along with Mad River Glen, Jay peak and Sugarbush, for hosting STEFT events.

“Magic has a history of creating extreme competitions for over a decade with the Black Magic Extreme Challenge,” said Jim Sullivan, Magic Mountain’s president. “Our new Freeskiing Team recognizes both the desire among our families for more training options and the natural mountain facility we have which creates the best training environment for freeskier athletes.”

Danielle Lillard will direct the Magic Freeskiing Team program. She has a long history in the sport, representing National Sports Academy/Whiteface Mountain and being invited to the US Freestyle Development Team. Danielle was also a freestyle team coach at Okemo resort and Okemo Mountain School for 6 years. A Magic skier for the last six years, she started a Women’s Adventure Clinic last year with great success and is looking forward to building the freeskiing program as well.

“The terrain, the people and the relationships built at Magic are unique,” said Ms. Lillard. “I want to help build a lasting legacy of great youth freeskiing here at Magic where the mountain gets better as you become a better skier.”

Danielle has already hired coaches Matt Tabrys and Jake Kravitz. Matt raced slalom and GS for Rutgers and finished in the top 10 in each of the inaugural events on STEFT. Jake is PSIA Level 1 certified and has been instructing during the week at Mt Southington.

Athletes 14 years and older can compete at all STEFT events, with those under 14 having to qualify. Magic will host a qualifying event on February 25th, The Black Magic Extreme Challenge, and then will host an official Ski The East Freeride Tour event on March 3rd, the Southern Vermont Freeskiing Challenge, also on Black Magic.

About Magic Mountain Ski Area

Magic first opened in 1960 and will be celebrating this season its 50th anniversary of peak to bottom skiing dating from 1962, which to this day, is still one of the most exciting, challenging and authentic Vermont ski experiences. Different than the corporate resorts, Magic has stayed true to the original Vermont ski culture. Magic skiers enjoy a mountain emphasizing natural, diverse ski terrain in an atmosphere of shared camaraderie for the sport both on the slopes and in the lodge after a long, rewarding day. Magic has an authentic vibe because, in reality, it still remains first and foremost a ski area, not a ‘resort’and a distinctly Vermont one at that. It’s a community spirit that keeps Magic thriving for those committed ski and riding enthusiasts who want to “carve their own trail” and experience real snow and obstacles that mother-nature puts on the hill. And, it’s why Magic skiers love the mountain so much that they are personally investing in the ski area via The Magic Partnership in order to enhance and preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

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