Academy
Annual program
Our organization offers annual programs for FIS athletes, focusing on online schooling integration. Through partnerships with educational institutions, we provide a ski program with high-quality virtual education and flexible housing. Options range from ski training to a comprehensive package with online schooling and necessary amenities.
Join our ski race academy program to boost your racing skills. Enjoy top-notch online education that complements your skiing journey.
Ski Racing Academy
- May – April.
- Full year program.
- High Level.
- FIS Age.
- Maximum 7 racers per trainer, according to age and level.
Ski Zenit prioritizes the success of young athletes both on and off the snow. That’s why we have partnered with several online education platforms accredited as Athlete-Friendly Education Centres (AFEC) recognized by the World Academy of Sport. Flexible online timetables for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), IB Diploma Programme (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, and Maturité Suisse allow student-athletes to excel in their academic pursuits while also pursuing their athletic dreams with intensive training schedules.
Ski Zenit’s Academy program is designed for student-athletes who compete regionally, nationally, or internationally. The online platforms we collaborate with offer flexible schedules that allow students to balance their rigorous training regimens with academic success. Whether you’re an emerging talent, an aspiring athlete, or an elite competitor, Ski Zenit will help you achieve your goals on the snow and in the classroom. We offer various ski programs that cater to the athletic and academic goals of each athlete, giving student-athletes more time to balance their athletic pursuits with academic excellence.
Our academy also serves as a great post-graduate (PG) year option, providing an opportunity to further develop both academically and athletically in a supportive environment.
We offer online schooling as part of our program, but it’s also perfectly fine to choose just to ski with us without participating in the academic courses. Athletes have the option of flexible skiing packages that may encompass online schooling and lodging, although they are not mandatory.
Ski Zenit all inclusive annual program includes:
- Complete academic year at a preferred collaborative school.
- Various options for boarding accommodations.
- Program for technical, tactical, physical and mental development.
- Pre-season preparation and Racing season performance.
A Year long program with Ski Zenit means a complete training plan designed to help all athletes reach their competitive goals in the snow without compromising in their academics. Athletes participating in our program will take part in national and international races.
A year round program includes:
- Annual training and racing Plan.
- An online schooling program adapted to the ski racing program.
- Technical, physical, mental and racing goals.
- Video Analysis.
- Full year physical training plan.
- Ski tuning.
- Ski Zenit Team equipment.
- Exclusive offer on skiing gear.
The duration of time spent on the snow may differ, but it typically ranges around 165 days. In addition to the days spent on the snow, athletes will also engage in a physical training program under the guidance of their coaches, as well as participate in sport psychology sessions. Ski Zenit offers the same program mentioned above in 2 other formats:
Annual Ski Program with accommodation, excluding schooling:
- Athletes can follow their own schooling program while skiing and lodging with Ski Zenit. The same training program is applied, and school should be organised to take place on the same schedule as the other athletes.
Annual Ski Program excluding accommodation, and schooling:
- Athletes may lodge on their own or with their families and follow their personal schooling program. Ski Zenit expects all athletes, regardless of the Academy format they choose, to participate in all activities. The full schedule will be shared with all athletes, who should do their best to attend every session to take full advantage of the skiing program.
Get to know our Highly-skilled Team of Coaches in our Ski Racing Academy
Activities and Athlete development:
Top athletes worldwide agree that Europe and South America offer some of the best skiing in the world. Ski resorts cater to ski racers depending on the time of year. In the summer, Saas-Fee and Chile are prime locations for training in the northern and southern hemispheres. In the winter, Grimentz-Zinal, where we have established our base, is one of the best training ski resorts in the northern hemisphere.
Our Racing Academy full programs allow trainers to plan a step-by-step training schedule throughout the full year adapting to each athlete’s needs, goals and pace. This gives athletes a more productive way to improve consistently in technical and tactical areas and in coordination with their physical and mental training plan.
By having a designated Head Coach, they receive constant and consistent supervision which ensures that correct decisions are made at the right time. This enables them to have training schedules and content that adapt to their individual needs.
Every training session will be carried out with the high standards of Ski Zenit Racing that our athletes have come to expect.
We highly recommend that all of our athletes prioritize their education, as it will undoubtedly benefit them in various aspects of their lives. They can choose to enroll in the schools we recommend or continue with their current educational institutions. Our primary concern is to ensure that they have adequate time to dedicate to their studies and excel academically. This commitment applies regardless of whether they are pursuing their own educational path or attending one of our affiliated schools. Rest assured, we will tailor the curriculum to complement our skiing and physical training programs.
This approach to our athletes’ education does not compromise our training. We firmly believe that we can offer world-class training while ensuring athletes receive a good education. Of course, this implies that in many cases, it will take longer to finish their studies. Some athletes choose to complete their two-year baccalaureate over three or four years so they have time to combine education with their sports careers.
Since we have partnered with various schools, please don’t hesitate to ask us for more information, and we can put you in direct contact with them.
Located in the stunning Swiss Alps, Val d’Anniviers is an exceptional spot for ski race training, surrounded by numerous world-class ski resorts. Our boarding house, supported by Ski Zenit coaches, provides a warm and supportive environment where athletes can feel comfortable and relaxed. Nearby, a fully-equipped gym allows athletes to enhance their on-slope training with strength and conditioning exercises. For those who prefer a structured academic setting, our affiliated school offers excellent boarding services with access to outstanding facilities.
Athletes enrolled in our annual plan will attend races with Ski Zenit trainers in nearby regions. The FIS races that we will attend will be chosen based on the athletes’ level and the difficulty of the race. We participate in SL, GS, and SG races. Participation in DH races is possible, but a specific racing and training plan would have to be put into place.
Each athlete will have different racing goals. We will ensure that these goals are achievable and will put all our available resources to work to achieve each athlete’s personal goals. There is a minimum standard level needed to be part of the annual program to ensure that all athletes can work together in a homogeneous group.
Athletes in our Race Academy will be coached and supervised by a highly experienced sports psychologist on our coaching staff, who has a special talent for helping athletes focus on their personal goals, manage their emotions, nerves, and more. Athletes really enjoy these dynamic sessions.
This is a key part of our training philosophy. The sessions are fun and stimulating, teaching our athletes how to focus, relax, establish goals, and understand their emotions.
We have included stretching and yoga as part of our training to help athletes calm their bodies and minds. These practices are excellent ways to relax, stretch, and strengthen muscles after a long day of training. They also teach athletes how to ease their minds and delve into their inner stillness and peace for full recovery.
Yoga is a great way for athletes to work on physical conditioning and gain the agility that comes from deep stretching. It is also highly recommended for muscle recovery. We have fully certified yoga instructors who adapt the difficulty and intensity of each session to the different skill levels and ages.
Meditation is an excellent way to relax and focus on one’s inner self, helping athletes “get in the zone”—that special place that enables competitors to perform to their potential even in the most stressful situations.
All athletes participating in our full programs will have a long-term conditioning training plan designed by our conditioning trainers. Athletes will follow the plan during training days with Ski Zenit, as well as at home, with follow-up from our trainers. They will be tested frequently to monitor progress and performance gains. These workouts will always be age-appropriate and tailored to the condition of each athlete. They are designed to be challenging, demanding, fun, and creative.
The post-ski workouts focus on recovery from the training sessions and protection against injury; they also aim to improve strength, coordination, balance, agility, and flexibility.
Ensuring proper maintenance of ski bases and edges is essential for optimal performance during ski training sessions and races. All athletes are expected to be responsible and take good care of their equipment. Ski Zenit coaches will ensure there is a proper ski room for our athletes to take great care of their skis and will assist them with anything needed. We have all the equipment needed, but it’s always beneficial for athletes to have some of their own tools.
Video analysis is an important tool for our coaches to help racers understand and improve the areas they are working on during ski training. Technical and tactical concepts critical to performance will be explained in detail during these sessions, ensuring clarity for the next training day. Video analysis sessions will be conducted every two or three days of training. Videos will be recorded daily, and athletes will have continuous access to these files for their personal review.
ski ACADEMY
Personalized offer
150 + ski days and races
Physical training plan
July – April
HOUSING
Personalized offer
Multiple options
Adapted to athletes
July – June
SCHOOLING
Personalized offer
Multiple options
Adapted to athletes
September – June
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