U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today a new partnership with Woodward, designating Woodward Copper, Colorado and Woodward Park City, Utah facilities as Official Training Centers for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes through January 2025. This agreement will see athletes from U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the United States, training at Woodward Copper and Woodward Park City leading up to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, providing invaluable access as athletes train to reach podiums.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Woodward to elevate our freeski and snowboard athletes’ training,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle, Freeski and Snowboard Director Jeremy Forster. “Woodward’s facilities at Copper Mountain and in Park City will provide key year-round training for our Pro and Rookie Team athletes for years to come.”
Woodward Copper, located at Copper Mountain, Colorado, stands out as a top training destination for every level of competitor. Along with its Superpipe and Central Park, the resort recently debuted two airbag training zones for elite-level halfpipe and big air athletes, which offers some of the best and most consistent training for freeskiers and snowboarders.
“Over time Woodward Copper has evolved to become the proving ground for snowboarding and progression,” says Red Gerard, U.S. Olympic slopestyle gold medalist. “I am beyond thrilled that Copper has leveled up even more with the addition of new training bags and an official partnership with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team.”
“Our partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard is stronger than ever and we’re proud to provide even more world-class training opportunities for their athletes,” said Dustin Lyman, president and general manager of Copper Mountain. “For decades, we’ve looked forward to hosting U.S. Team athletes for training and competition each season. It is our privilege to expand this partnership, and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team is a big reason why we are considered the Athlete’s Mountain.”
Woodward Park City, Utah provides consistent, year-round access to high-performance training indoor and outdoor venues, including the 66,000 square-foot indoor Action Sports Hub, which is comprised of trampolines, foam pits and proprietary training tools, along with the outdoor Mountain Park, which includes a superpipe and big air jump.
“It’s been amazing to see Woodward embrace progression and training areas indoors and on-mountain at both Copper and Woodward Park City,” says Shaun White, five-time Olympian and professional snowboarder. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the pipes at both places the past two seasons getting ready for the Olympics.”
“Woodward Park City was built with the intention of empowering and inspiring the next generation of action sports athletes,” explains Woodward Park City General Manager Phoebe Mills. “This partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard furthers our commitment to current and future U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and encourages local youth to dream big.”
The partnership with Woodward gives U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team athletes new tools and venues for athletes to progress through the next four-year cycle in preparation for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Woodward’s indoor and outdoor high-performance training venues create an ideal setting for training high level athletes in multiple disciplines.
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About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2021, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.
About Copper Mountain
Located just 75 miles west of Denver, Colo., Copper Mountain offers a pure mountain experience that inspires adventure, elevates ambition and empowers progression. During the winter, Copper’s world class naturally divided terrain provides skiers and riders access to over 2,500 acres of high alpine adventure. Each summer, the mountain transforms into an unspoiled playground for hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Three centralized pedestrian villages provide a vibrant atmosphere complete with slope-side lodging, dining, shopping and activities. Copper Mountain is home to Woodward Copper and he U.S. Ski Team Speed Center which facilitate year-round training for every level of athlete. Copper Mountain is part of the POWDR Adventure Lifestyle Co. portfolio, and an Ikon Pass partner. POWDR is a family-owned adventure lifestyle company (TM) that believes there is nothing better for your soul than to spend time with the people you love, doing the things you love.
About Woodward Park City
Woodward Park City is a world-class, year-round action sports community club in one of the greatest outdoor regions in the world. Encompassing a fully integrated 125-acre campus with a state-of-the-art action sports hub, action sports parks and mountain parks, Woodward Park City encourages intuitive growth and safe progression for passionate action sports athletes of all ages and abilities to play and train every day, 365 days and nights a year. Visitors to Woodward Park City can experience lift-accessed snowboarding, skiing, tubing and mountain biking, as well as indoor and outdoor facilities for skateboarding, BMX, scooter, parkour, and cheer. Woodward Park City is part of the global Woodward experiential action sports company on a mission to inspire the next generation of action sports and athletes and is also part of the POWDR portfolio.
Media Contacts:
Annie Fast, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
annie.fast@usskiandsnowboard.org
Meisha Ross, Woodward Park City
mross@woodwardparkcity.com
Taylor Prather, Copper Mountain
tprather@coppercolorado.com