Snowbasin Parents - Is the youth ADP Alpine Dev. Team/Program worth it?

[Patronainthe801]

We are return season pass holders to Snowbasin (Utah) with 3 kids; ages 6, 10 and 13 who have fallen in love with skiing. This last month 2 out of the 3 (if I'm hauling 2 of them 45 minutes away up the mountain every Sat. for 12 weeks, then ALL 3 are going) expressed interest in possibly doing the ADP program, and I am wondering if any Snowbasin regulars have any experience with it?

It will set me back $3600 which is a little cringe-worthy, whereas renewing season passes would be much less expensive. I'm hoping it will push them more than if they were to ski with me, give them the opportunity to interact with others their age/level, and hopefully help them avoid developing bad habits. They're currently comfortable with Strawberry, John Paul, etc,...but I'm not sure where that would align with this program. Snowbasin was helpful with answering my questions, but I'm hoping someone here has some insight?

 

[Sheena]

We will be going into our 3rd year of the program this coming season. I have overall had a very good experience with the program. The kids don't have to be on a specific level to get something out of the program. My kids have learned really great technique. They do an evaluation the first day of the program and sort kids into groups based on ability. Even if your kids are comfortable skiing the blacks on JP, I would say they could still get something out of it.

 

[Patronainthe801]

We will be going into our 3rd year of the program this coming season. I have overall had a very good experience with the program. The kids don't have to be on a specific level to get something out of the program. My kids have learned really great technique. They do an evaluation the first day of the program and sort kids into groups based on ability. Even if your kids are comfortable skiing the blacks on JP, I would say they could still get something out of it.

This is very helpful. I'm looking for technique improvement more than anything. I don't think I'm the best one to judge whether or not they are developing bad habits/good technique, and feel that having an instructor would help. My youngest one is not quite doing blacks. She is getting comfortable on Strawberry, Sweet Revenge, Becker, etc, but she is mostly driven by not being show up by her older brothers. Whereas I worry about my 10 year old living to die another day. I'm glad to hear from another parent that they truly do break them out by level after having an eval.

Did your kids ever get tired of the program, or were they typically excited to go every week?

 

[Sheena]

For the most part my kids were excited to go every week. My kids are 7,7 and 9, so some weeks we needed extra motivation. But they liked their instructors and skiing with their "team"

I guess its hard to say whether a kid has good habits or bad habits. but in general I can speak to my 9 year old. 2 years ago, she liked skiing easier blacks like Moose Mound, but mainly just liked going fast and skiing mostly in a wedge with some carving. With the ski school, it helped her not wedge and actually learn proper parallel technique.