by Tony Bailey

Stratton Seasonal Program Blog – December ’25 Edition

Hello Everyone,

What a start to the season. Truly. In my ten years here at Stratton, I’m not sure we’ve ever kicked things off quite like this. The snow has been incredible, the energy on the mountain has been high, and I hope you and your family have had a chance to get out there and enjoy it.

As we head into the holiday week, this December blog is meant to be a helpful guide to what’s coming up. Take a read, and as always, if questions pop up along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

TIPS

Before diving into holiday logistics, I want to pause and recognize something really special. A huge congratulations to the TIPS crew on the successful completion of another season.

For those who may not know, TIPS (the Teen Instructor Program) is a four-week crash course in becoming a ski or snowboard instructor for 14, 15, and 16-year-olds. It covers everything from how to teach a wedge turn… to why such a large chunk of their paycheck disappears to taxes. Equally important lessons. 😁

That curriculum is what you might expect on the surface, but in my experience, the real value of TIPS goes much deeper. Yes, participants learn customer service skills and how to show up to their first job with confidence, but what really stands out are the relationships that form along the way. The TIPS conductors intentionally create situations where these kids have to work together, problem-solve, and rely on one another, and those shared experiences stick.

Just last weekend, I was riding the employee shuttle and chatting with a 2024 TIPS grad. He told me their TIPS class still has an active group chat that runs year-round, even throughout the summer. He lives locally and mentioned how often he reconnects with other TIPS grads whenever they come back to Vermont, and how he’s even traveled down to New York to visit them.

Having been here a while, I’ve had the privilege of watching many of these 14- and 15-year-olds grow up. They move through high school, head off to college, and often return to work with us during school breaks, sometimes even as they begin their professional careers. Along the way, we hear incredible stories: former TIPS classmates standing as best man or maid of honor in each other’s weddings, lifelong friendships that started right here at Stratton.

To me, that speaks volumes about what we’re doing at Stratton and within our programs. Many of the people I’m referencing began together in Cub Club at three years old, skied weekends side-by-side for years, started working together at fourteen, and never lost that connection.

For our Cub Club and Cross Cub families, take a moment to notice who your child is skiing with this season. One of those kids just might be standing next to them at a major life milestone someday.

Congratulations again to our TIPS grads, and a huge thank you to our incredible TIPS coaches Steven, John, Jim, and Maddie for all the hard work you put into this program. I also want to give special recognition to Bill Eichorn, who has coordinated TIPS for the past 15 years. Bill has helped countless young people find their voice and build the confidence to take on the world, and we are incredibly grateful for his impact.

Holiday Week Schedule

With just a few days until our fun-filled holiday week begins, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to plan ahead and get the most out of your time on the mountain.

Below is the schedule for our non-competitive programs — Cub Club, Cross Cub, Synergy, and AAMP:

  • Saturday 12/20: Full day for all programs
  • Sunday 12/21: Full day for Cub Club; morning only for Cross Cub, Synergy, & AAMP
  • Friday 12/26: Full day for all programs
  • Saturday 12/27: Full day for all programs
  • Sunday 12/28: Full day for all programs
  • Monday 12/29: Full day for all programs
  • Tuesday 12/30: Full day for all programs
  • Wednesday 12/31: Full day for all programs

Seasonal Program Events

Our supervisor team has put together a full calendar of seasonal events that we’re really excited about. Rather than crowd this post, I’ve shared all the details in a separate blog, linked below:

Seasonal Program Blog – Events 2025–2026

Holiday Week at Stratton

In addition to our program offerings, Stratton has a full slate of holiday activities happening throughout the week! Check out the links below to learn more:

We’re looking forward to an amazing holiday week and can’t wait to see you on the mountain. Please reach out if I can assist with anything!

Best,
Tony Bailey
Seasonal Programs & Bike Park Manager
tbailey@stratton.com
802-297-4074

Cub Club

Hello Cub Clubbers!

Cub Club is the trunk of our Seasonal Program tree, the foundation where your child’s skiing journey begins. We’re building strong roots that will stay with them throughout their time at Stratton and beyond. Over the years, many Cub Clubbers have gone on to achieve amazing things, from competing at national championships to returning as coaches who inspire the next generation. With our focus on developing strong skiers and building good habits from the start, it’s no surprise Cub Club remains one of the most popular programs at Stratton!

Check-In Schedule

To reduce congestion during busy times, please note these changes:

  • Raccoons and above: Leave the Club at 8:45 AM
  • Rabbits and below: On snow by 9:15 AM
  • Mouse group (new skiers): Check-in after 8:45 AM

If you’re running late, call us or wait until the morning break to drop off your child. We will not hold groups after departure.

Lunch Times

We’ve staggered lunch to keep the room comfortable:

  • Raccoons and above: 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Rabbits and below: 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Please make sure your child eats a good breakfast before skiing!

First Day Tips

If Winter Break is your child’s first day, try to stop in beforehand to get a cubby and label equipment. If not, we’ll handle it at check-in.

Program Details

  • Saturdays: Instruction
  • Sundays: Evaluation
  • Supervisory staff will ski with groups on Sundays and vacation weeks to validate coach feedback and determine readiness for advancement.
  • Progress varies for each child. Please trust us and the process!
  • We ski in all weather conditions. No indoor activities except breaks and lunch.
  • Pack clothing for all conditions, including a neck warmer, extra gloves, and hand warmers.

Important Rules

  • Coaches must return all students to the room for pick-up. Please do not intercept your child on the mountain.
  • If you need to check in, visit the room and speak with indoor staff.
  • No outside food allowed due to severe allergies. This includes muffins, cereal, and breakfast items. Staff will remove any outside food.

Final Note

We expect a large group during Winter Break. Please check in your child on the whiteboard; skipping this step slows the process. And please don’t just call out your child’s name as you rush by!

Questions or concerns? Email me or stop by the room.


See you soon!
Matt Erickson
Cub Club Supervisor
merickson@stratton.com

Cross Cub

Hello Stratton Cross Cub Families!

What a fantastic start to the season! It’s been so great skiing with many of you over the past two weekends, and I’m excited to meet everyone who hasn’t made it up yet.

Hard to believe Holiday Week is almost here, one of my favorite weeks of the season. When kids are on snow six days in a row, the progress we see can be incredible. That said, six days is a long stretch. If your child seems extra tired, it’s perfectly okay (and often helpful) to take a morning or afternoon off to rest and recharge.

As groups continue to take shape, please know that not all children and coaches have joined us yet. Because of this, your child may ski with different instructors over the next few weeks. While we always aim for consistency, we can’t guarantee the same coach every weekend. What is consistent is our approach; we focus on the same skill sets across groups and do our best to keep students together for the season. Group placements are based primarily on skill level and skiing speed.

Each morning, our coaches start the day with a safety and technical meeting to review conditions, discuss lesson plans, and talk through student progress, goals, drills, and techniques to help every child succeed.

A few important reminders to help our mornings run smoothly:

  • Arrival time matters. Please arrive at the flag on time each morning. We aim to have groups heading out by 8:45 a.m. at the latest. If you arrive late, look for me at the bottom of Amex, and we’ll do our best to connect your child with a group.
    • Please note that if you arrive after your child’s group has completed their warm-up lap on American Express, we will not be able to connect them with their group for the morning session.
  • Afternoon sessions: We will not be looping groups after lunch. If your child is returning for the afternoon session, please communicate directly with their instructor so we can get moving as soon as everyone is back.
  • Equipment check: Well-maintained equipment makes a big difference. Sharp edges and fresh wax improve both enjoyment and safety. I’ve already noticed a few bindings that needed adjustment. If your child has new skis this season, labeling them is highly recommended, especially if they’re on a seasonal rental ski from one of the popular ski shops in NY, NJ, or CT.
  • Goggles are a must. All children are expected to ski with goggles. Once we have enough snow to ski in the trees, goggles will be required; no goggles means no tree skiing. Please also check gloves and pack hand warmers (even if they insist they don’t need them!).
  • Independence matters. Children are expected to put on their own equipment. Smaller mittens with zippers or Velcro can be tricky, so easy-on options work best. Hestra mittens are a great choice and are available at First Run Ski Shop in the Village.
  • Don’t forget passes. Your child must arrive with their pass every day. I highly recommend attaching it to the left side of their helmet, where it’s always visible. If needed, here’s a link to a helmet pass holder: Ski Goggles Pass Holder. We’ll also be providing yo-yo pass holders to all children. A visible pass helps coaches with scanning each morning, during snack breaks, and before we head out for the day.

Finally, be sure to follow us on Instagram @strattonseasonalprograms, and tag us to be featured in our stories!

Thank you for sharing your children with us on snow. Wishing you a wonderful holiday, and we’re looking forward to an amazing Holiday Week ahead.

Warmly,

Frances Hoeffner
Cross Cub Supervisor
fhoeffner@stratton.com

Synergy

Season’s Greeting Synergy families,

Our season is off to an incredible start! It’s been exciting to see our groups taking shape, finding their rhythm, and settling into a great flow. Thank you for your continued patience as we adjust groups to best match skill levels, pace, and, of course, the fun social energy that makes Synergy special.

Over these first two weeks, our skiers have been busy rebuilding confidence and rediscovering their ski legs. Some athletes are adjusting to brand-new gear, others have grown a few inches since last winter, and many are simply shaking off those summer cobwebs. The good news? Winter has fully arrived, and with these cold temps and snow being made, it’s the perfect time to be out on the mountain.

Our early focus has been on balance and body awareness, tuning into where we feel most stable on our skis and checking in with questions like: “Where do I feel centered?” “Am I too far forward?” “Am I sinking into the back seat?” Coaches have been guiding skiers toward a strong athletic stance across different terrain, helping them build solid habits from day one. We have been achieving this by shuffling our feet (think about taking tiny steps) throughout different parts of a turn. You can’t be in a wedge or sitting in the back seat when shuffling! This translates to skiers being able to stack themselves more effectively on top of their skis to be more balanced while making parallel turns. 

Looking ahead, the next few weeks will spotlight the art of turn shape, especially creating smooth, rounded “C-shaped” turns to help control speed and flow. We’ll also be establishing important group routines around safety and ski etiquette: choosing meeting spots along the trail edges, giving the skier ahead two full turns before you go, stopping below the group, and always checking uphill before moving downhill. Ask your skier to share what they’ve been practicing; they have a lot to tell you!

On behalf of all our coaches, we wish you a warm, joyful holiday season and a healthy, safe, and happy New Year. We can’t wait for more great days on the slopes together!

See you on the slopes, 

Sarah Kneip (and Waffles the penguin) 
Synergy Supervisor 
skneip@stratton.com

Important Notes:

  • First loop (warm-up lap) on AMEX is at 8:45
    • If you arrive past this time, there is no guarantee that we will be able to connect your child with their group 
  • Lunch (separate from the program) runs 11:30 – 12:30
  • There is no PM loop on AMEX, so please be on time at 12:30  
  • Let coaches know if there are changes in pick-up arrangements
    • i.e. meeting at the Club or Base lodge rather than the flag, etc.

AAMP

AAMPers,

What a great start to the season! Here it is, December 15th, and we already have two great weeks into the program. To date the mountain has over 47″ of natural snow. That, combined with all of the hard work and hours put in by the snow making team, has set us up for a great season.

In our first two weeks we covered ski-ski pressure focusing on our outside ski and steering our skis with our legs. Many of us discussed and practiced upper and lower “separation”, or in other words, keeping our upper body facing more down the hill while our legs turned independently under our stable upper body. While we are thinking about it, where are the lower and upper body separated? The hips. Our legs turn in the hip socket. Okay enough tech talk!

Don’t forget to plan ahead as you won’t want to miss our Saturday January 3rd, 5pm – Wine and Cheese Social including an open forum discussion about ski equipment (boots, skis, poles). More details will follow in our weekly email. 

Several questions came up about the groups. The key word is “comfortable”. Being able to ski a blue or black slope does not equate to being “comfortable” on them. The coach’s goal is to improve each AAMPers skills. That starts with you being comfortable to learn in the zone and speed of the selected group. Group descriptions are provided in the November AAMP blog post.

The AAMP program currently has 40 participants, and we are hoping to grow this even more. Many have joined based on recommendations. That is great. Please help spread the word!

The coaches are AAMPed up about the holiday week and look forward to skiing with you. They have great plans to introduce the next couple of skills we will tackle.

Best Personal Regards,

Greg Morin
AAMP Supervisor
greg.morin@straton.com