Commitment for being a TWST Athlete
Taos Winter Sports Team is not a ski school but a Northern New Mexico Competitive Snowsports Program. Which program you choose for your athletes depends on the commitment you can make in order to take the step to the next level of participation.
- DEVO, U8- U10 NEW ATHLETES ONLY – Saturdays ONLY (training for approximately 16-19 days per season)
- Gateway, U8-U12 – Saturday OR Sunday (training for approximately 16-19 days per season)
- Full-time competitive athletes, U12-U21 – Saturday and Sunday (training for approximately 40-45+ days per season)
- Full-time competitive athletes, U10 – Saturday (training for approximately 16-19 days per season)
- Part-time competitive, U10 – U21 – Saturdays ONLY (16-19 days per season)
DEVO and Gateway athletes will be required to attend at least two competitions a season. Example: one New Mexico Fun Race and the Grassroots Freeride Competition. These races may fall on a Sunday and will be included in your program fees, except for registration fees, lift tickets, and transportation.
Learn more about our programs below.
Team Programs offered for 2026/2027
DEVO (Development) and Gateway
DEVO (Development) and Gateway are TWST’s introduction and continuation of training on how to be a TWST team member. These teams prepare athletes for choosing the next level: Competition. These teams offer skill development by introducing race skills, and terrain exploration, and is super fun.
U8 and U10 ONLY: TWST’s DEVO (Development) Team program
Saturday only (16 -18 days) – An Introduction to the TWST Team.
- Athletes on DEVO are new to TWST Membership.
- NO Holiday Camp or Holiday Monday training is included in the program fee.
- Mandatory participation in two competitions per season. Example: the NM Fun Race and TWST Grassroots comp.
- No additional day fees for fun races or Grassroots except registration fees, lift tickets, and transportation.
- A minimum of two excused absences. Attendance will be taken.
- Recommended non-black-out TSV season pass to avoid missing training days.
U8-U12 ONLY: TWST’s Gateway Team program
Saturday only (16-18 days) – This is an introduction/continuation to Competition.
- All athletes are returning to TWST or New U10’s.
- NO Holiday Camps or Holidays are included.
- Holiday Camps can be added.
- Athletes are U8-U12.
- See the website FAQ sheet for Age Class guidelines.
- This team meets every Saturday during the season. There will be a Sunday 0ption avaialbe, unless we cannot fill spots.
- Competitive training for athletes in a limited one-day program.
- Minimum of two Competitions per season. Example: the NM Fun Race and TWST Grassroots comp.
- No additional day fees for fun races or Grassroots except registration fees, lift tickets, and transportation.
- A minimum of two excused absences. Attendance will be taken.
- Holiday Camp sessions can be purchased separately.
U8-U12: Holiday Camp for DEVO/Gateway/Park Athletes - Dates
Add some training days to your Holiday Break. Dates and times can be subject to change by Head Coaches.
Session 1 (3 days): Dec. 20, 21, and 22
Session 2 (5 days): Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30th and 31st. Dates subject to change within each team.
Alpine Race
The Alpine Race team is the next level of team participation. Team members have already been in Gateway or experienced other race exploration. This team takes training seriously, with loads of serious fun and team building led by excellent coaches. Athletes will be traveling to the Southern Series as well as the Rocky Mountains for competitions. Commitment to training is a must.
Alpine Race Training for U12-U21 ONLY
U12 - U21 ONLY - TWST Full-time Alpine Race Team program
Meet Saturday and Sunday, Holiday Camp, and Holiday dates: Martin Luther King and Presidents Holiday – and Saturday and Sunday Competition days (40-45 days) – Focused training for serious competitive athletes.
- TWST’s Full-time Alpine Race Competitive Team program.
- Minimum of two or Three competitions per season.
- US Ski and Snowboard membership is required.
- A minimum of 4 excused absences. Attendance will be taken.
- Non-Black out TSV Pass required.
- See Holiday Camp dates below.
Alpine Race Training for U10 ONLY
U10 - ONLY - TWST’s Part Time Alpine Race Competitive Team program
Including Saturday. Does not include Holiday Camp or Martin Luther King or Presidents day training. Holiday camp can be purchased seperately.
Holiday Camp dates can be found below.
Alpine Race Holiday Camp Dates
*See Calendar
U10 - U21 - Part-time and Full-time Holiday Camp Dates
Add some days of practice and skill development over your Holiday Break. Head coaches may change dates or times depending on conditions.
Session 1 (3 days): Dec. 20,21, and 22.
Session 2 (5 days): Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.
Freeride/Big Mountain
The Freeride/Big Mountain is exactly that – Big Mountain. This team will push to the next level of team participation. Team members have already been in Gateway or experienced other Freeride exploration. This team takes training seriously, with loads of serious fun and team building led by excellent coaches. Athletes will be traveling to competitions around the Rocky Mountain Region and beyond. A commitment to training, hiking, and big adventures is a must.
U15-U19 Freeride/Big Mountain Programs
U15-U19 ONLY - TWST’s Full-time or Part-time Freeride Competitive Team program
Meet every Saturday and Sunday for Full-time and Saturday for Part-time. Full-time athlettes enjoy Holiday Camps, and two Holiday Mondays: Martin Luther King and Presidents Day, including competition on Saturday and Sundays (approx. 42 days). Part-time athelts purchase Holiday camp sepreately.
Holiday Camp dates are listed below.
U15-U19 ONLY - This is for athletes already on the Freeride/Big Mountain Teams
Meet every Saturday and Sunday – Focused training for serious competitive athletes.
- Athletes all new to Freeride U14 by permission only with Freeride Head Coach approval.
- Minimum of three competitions per season.
- US Ski and Snowboard or IFSA Membership is required.
- A minimum of 4 excused absences.
- Attendance will be taken.
- Non-Black out TSV Pass required.
U12 Freeride/Big Mountain Programs
Full Time and Part Time are offered.
U12 ONLY - TWST’s Full-time Freeride Competitive Team program (40-42 days)
Meet every Saturday and Sunday, Holiday Camps, and two Holiday Mondays: Martin Luther King and Presidents Day including competitive Saturdays and Sundays.
U12 ONLY - TWST’s Part-Time Freeride Competitive Team program (16-18 days)
Saturday only
Holiday Camp or Monday Holiday is included in the program fee. Holiday camp can be purchased seperrately.
U12 ONLY - Freeride/Big Mountain
Meet every Saturday during the season
- NEW athletes must have permission or invitation from the Head coach to be on the Freeride.
Competitive training for athletes in a limited one-day program. - Minimum of two Competitions per season.
- IFSA or US Ski and Snowboard membership depending on recommendation by the head coach.
- A minimum of two excused absences. Attendance will be taken.
- Non-Black out TSV pass required.
U12-ONLY - Holiday Camp for Part-time Freeride athletes - Dates
Add some days of practice and skill development over your Holiday Break. Head coaches may change dates or times depending on conditions.
Session 1 (3 days): Dec. 20.21, and 22
Session 2 (5 days): Dec. 27, 28, 29,30 and 31.
TWST Snowboard Program
We are building our snowboard team. Both development and competitive teams are available. Two-day programs for current competitors. And a DEVO program for younger athletes. Exploration of Slope Style, Freeride, and Gate training are all part of this program. Serious fun is included while being a member of a supportive and growing team.
Snowboard Full-time Program for U12-U19 ONLY
U12-U19 ONLY - TWST’s Full-time Snowboard Competitive Team program
Meet Saturday and Sunday, Holiday Camp, and Holiday Mondays: Martin Luther King and Presidents Day and Saturday and Sunday competitions (40-45 days)
- Meet every Saturday and Sunday during the season.
- A focused competitive training for athletes returning to TWST
- Already competing in USUSA.
- Minimum of two or more Competitions per season.
- IFSA or US Ski and Snowboard membership depending on recommendation by the head coach.
- A minimum of four excused absences. Attendance will be taken.
Holiday Camp Dates include December 20, 21 and 22nd and December 27,28,29,30 and 31. dates subject to change by head Coaches discretion.
Session 1: Dec. 20, 21, and 22nd
Session 2: Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30th and 31st.
Snowboard DEVO/Gateway Program for U10-U14
U10-U14 - TWST’s Snowboard DEVO/Gateway Team program
Saturday only (16-18 days)
- Minimum Skill requirements – Proficient on all TSV blue and blue bumps runs.
- NO Holiday Camp or Holidays included. Holiday Camp can be purchased separately.
- Meet every Saturday during the season.
- Competitive training for athletes in a limited one-day program.
- A minimum of two competitions per season. Example: TWSTs Grassroots comp. and Angel Fire Boarder Cross.
- No additional day fees for competitions except event registration, lift ticket, and transportation to an event not being held at TSV.
- A minimum of two excused absences. Attendance will be taken.
U10-U14 - Snowboard DEVO/Gateway Holiday Camp
Specifically for Snowboard DEVO/Gateway Part-time Athletes only. Add some training dates to your holiday break. The head coach may substitute dates.
Session 1: Dec. 21, 22, 23
Session 2: Dec. 27, 28, 29, Jan. 2, and 3
TWST Program Costs
DEVO/Gateway
- DEVO/Gateway: $1,800 (19-21 days)
- DEVO/Gateway Holiday Camp: 3 days – $285, 5 days – $475
Alpine Race and Freeride
- Full-Time Alpine Race and Freeride: $2,550
- Part-Time Alpine Race and Freeride (U12 only): $1,800
- Part-Time Alpine Race and Freeride Holiday Camp: 3 days – $285, 5 days – $475
Snowboard
- Full- Time Snowboard: $2,550
- Part-Time Snowboard DEVO: $1,800
- Snowboard DEVO/Holiday Camp: 3 days – $285, 5 days – $475
Athletes
Is there a Masters Race program?
Taos Winter Sports team offers a Master’s program for athletes 18 years and over.
The program meets in January and runs through the end of March. Coached by Jeff Mugelston, this program meets on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, for those interested in improving their racing skills and competitive support through gate training, stubbies, and brushes, set for an age-appropriate setting. Skiing skills and improvement will be addressed.
Interested athletes must register to participate. Please click here to do so.
The program offers economical 4-pack sessions. After the initial 4-pack session purchase, a drop-in rate is available. Prices for the program are 4-pack sessions – $220. After 4-pack purchase athletes may purchase a drop-in product at $65 a session. A maximum of 8 athletes per session.
Wednesday and/or Sunday mornings, 9 Am – 12 Pm. Starting date is January 10th.
Is there an adaptive or school program?
Yes, and we invite you to check out their respective Team pages.
Briefly, TWST offers:
- assistance and coaching for Adaptive students through the Taos Regional School Program at Taos Ski Valley
- economic scholarships to Taos regional students based on school recommendations
These programs are organized by Taos Regional Schools and are held in January and February for a 5-week period.
For more information about this collaborative program, please contact snowsports@skitaos.org.
How old do TWST athletes need to be?
TWST’s team governing body is the US Ski and Snowboard Association. The association categorizes athletes as:
U8 – Year of Birth: 2016-2017
U10 – YOB 2014-2015
U12 – YOB 2012-2013
U14 – YOB 2010-2011
U16 – YOB 2008-2009
U18 –YOB 2006-2007
U21+ – 18 years or older and still in High School
The age deadline for all age groups is December 31.
How skilled must TWST athletes be to participate?
TWST athletes must be high-intermediate to advanced skiers or snowboarders. A good measure of this ability level is whether the athlete has solid proficiency on all blue bumps at TSV.
Will my athletes receive team jackets?
A Taos Winter Sports Team athlete will receive a jacket before the first day of practice.
Team jackets are more than just practical mountain apparel. They are livery – symbols of teamwork, belonging, and commitment to athletic excellence. They are part of our group identity – how we represent ourselves to the outside, and also to each other. We wear them with great pride.
Athletes need to keep a few things in mind with respect to the use and upkeep of their jacket:
- If an athlete is representing TWST at a competition, they must wear their team jacket, both during competition and on the podium.
- It is requested by coaches that all athletes wear their TWST jackets at any time they are in program practice.
- Athletes are responsible for the care of their uniform jackets. It must be clean and in repair at all times.
- If the jacket is damaged or lost, athletes will be assessed the replacement value of the jacket.
- Failure to return the jacket may affect future participation on the team.
Is there a concussion awareness program?
Yes. Each athlete is required to take a yearly ImPACT concussion test prior to their first day on snow with the team.
- For athletes over 12 years of age, this is done by email invitation, on your home computer.
- Athletes 11 years old and younger, will take the test in an in-person, monitored situation organized by the team. Several events and testing times will be available prior to the opening day of practice.

