JANUARY E-SPILLWAY NEWSLETTER |
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It's Officially 40 Years! |
In 1982, when a small group of innovative and risk-taking individuals launched a ski academy, it was because they believed in the power of dreams. When a kid has a dream and a passion, no matter what it is, it helps shape their character, and their lives. 40 years later, we are still at it!
We are so proud to ring in our 40th year with you!
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Thank You For Supporting CVA. |
Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without your help, and your commitment, to CVA. Thank you to those who have already donated to the 2021-2022 Annual Fund. We are well on our way to reaching our goal. |
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It's been one month since we announced the launch of The Podium Project. We have received $500,000 in donations to date! Thank you for your partnership.
To continue our fundraising efforts, CVA will proudly, and gratefully, recognize donors of the following transformational gifts by adding their names on our lift and venue. Check out the Podium Project naming opportunities below:
- Surface Lift - Contact Kate Punderson
- Training Venue - Contact Kate Punderson
- Bottom Lift Terminal - $100,000
- Lift Tower - $50,000
- Up to Three “T’s” - $25,000
- One “T” - $10,000
- On-Hill Donor Plaque - $2,500/$5,000
For a chance to get your name on a piece of this historic venue for CVA, or to make a leadership-level gift or pledge, go here, or contact Alex Godomsky.
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IN THE CLASSROOM: ACADEMIC NEWS |
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Early Acceptances are Pouring In |
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CVA Class of 2022 and post-graduate college acceptances are rolling in. Congratulations to our Big Dogs for recently being accepted to the following colleges and universities:
- Middlebury College
- Tufts University
- Montana State University
- Plymouth State University
- Roger Williams University
- Saint Michael’s College
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Colorado State University
- University of Denver
- Oregon State University
- University of Vermont
We couldn't be more proud of our students. Stay tuned as the list continues to grow!
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ON THE SLOPES: ATHLETIC NEWS |
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Winter Emergency Action Plan Training |
CVA coaches and staff spend a lot of time on the hill and are required to stop if they see someone who is potentially injured. It is crucial that they know how to respond. That's why on December 9th, CVA coaches participated in our annual Winter Emergency Action Plan rehearsal with Sugarloaf Ski Patrol. The coaches were given several scenarios, and rehearsed the proper emergency response to each scenario, with the Ski Patrol staff.
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Throughout the month of December, the U16 and U19 athletes trained at Sugarloaf. With a focus on taking at least one run per session focusing on a single drill, and using freeskiing moments effectively, the athletes focused on strengthening their skills both in, and out, out of the gates.
This technical training will come in handy as U16 and U19 athletes participate in both USSS and FIS races throughout the region.
At the end of January, Sugarloaf will be hosting Speed Week, a series of speed races. Come check out our athletes, in action, on their home turf!
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CVA’s U14 team is off to a strong start this 2021-2022 winter season. With the biggest U14 team CVA has ever had, now 15 athletes strong, the group is primed with talented athletes ready to work hard. The U14 alpine group now has 3 full time coaches with the addition of Jeni Conover, joining Jon Wagner and Head Coach, Ron Bonnevie, this winter.
In December, the U14 team made steady progress to prepare for the upcoming competitive season here at Sugarloaf. Strong, early-season snowmaking helped the team navigate some challenging weather patterns. With a priority on sharp skis, there were lots of edging skills developed through training on hard snow surfaces, typical at this time of the year in the East.
Training for the U14 athletes continued right through the holiday week. U14 Academy and U10-U14 Weekend Program athletes competed at the Bill Bousum GS race here at Sugarloaf on Friday, December 31.
Check out the Men's and Women's race results on Live-Timing.
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Introducing Garrett Morrow |
CVA has a new Program Manager for the backcountry team, and we are proud to introduce him to you!
Growing up at Sugarloaf with a Dad on the ski patrol, Garrett developed a love of skiing, and the mountains, early on. In high school, Garrett joined the ski team, and after becoming team captain, he discovered his desire for coaching. Although a former racer, Garrett’s passion has always been the backcountry, and exploring the world off-resort.
Garrett brings over two decades of experience to CVA. After traveling all over the continental US and Canada in search of deep powder and steep descents, he returned to the Valley to foster, and instill, a love of backcountry skiing and riding in future generations. As the trip coordinator and lead guide for Saddleback Mountain, Garrett led uphill ski tours in the winter and guided hiking and paddling trips in the summer. At Sugarloaf, he served as a coach for the Big Mountain Bubblecuffer program, helping 12–16 year-olds interested in touring to safely explore, and navigate, all-mountain terrain.
Learning how to be safe in the mountains is a pivotal component of Backcountry skiing and riding. Garrett’s experience in rescue operations, as a ski patroller and fire fighter, help him to better prepare the athletes that he works with. His certifications include Wilderness First Responder, Registered Maine Guide, PSIA Level 1, AIARE Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue, Swift Water Rescue Technician, Pro Board Firefighter 1 & 2, and Wildland Firefighter.
In the off-season, Garrett spends his summers rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. He even completed the full Appalachian Trail!
Head Coach, Owen McAndrew, rounds out the Backcountry coaching team.
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Ice Climbing at Grafton Notch State Park |
On Sunday, December 12th, the Backcountry team took to Grafton Notch State Park for a day of ice climbing with EMS Climbing School.
A full day was spent swinging axes and kicking crampons into frozen waterfalls and learning how to use their ice climbing equipment safely, and efficiently.
The CVA Backcountry team will use these skills as they scale the greater mountain ranges of the world on upcoming trips this winter.
Images from their trip can be found here.
For more information about Backcountry programming, go here.
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The Ski Cross FIS team had a great trip to the Nakiska Ski Area in Alberta, Canada. The first week was spent training. The team then had their first Ski Cross race in Canada in almost two years! The team skied very well, with results in the top 15. Former CVA athlete, Stuart Whittier, captured his first NorAm podium, finishing in 2nd at Nakiska. The development team spent a lot of time working on drills and turning fundamentals, as well as air awareness training in the park. |
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The Alpine snowboarders trained with some of the best riders in the country at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs for a week this December. They worked on new techniques and met racers from all over the world. Luca Graham '22, Sasha Jansujwicz '23, and Baran Tatlidede '23, rode well and learned new skills through repetition on the course. They finished their trip training at Copper Mountain in Colorado on the run they will compete at during USASA Nationals.
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The CVA Slopestyle athletes busted out some amazing tricks at the USASA and Maine Mountain Series Rail Jam event at Sunday River held on December 12th.
Check out the top results below:
11-14 Girls
Kyla Harvie '25 1st place
11-14 Boys
Walker Wolfe '26 3rd place
15-22 Men
Sullivan Platte '25 1st place
Brady Harvie '24 2nd place
Full results are available here. For photos from the event, go here.
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The CVA Freeski athletes also competed in the Rail Jam and had a full sweep at the event!
11-14 Boys
Alex Bateman '26 1st place
Cam Boone '25 2nd place
Carver Emory '27 3rd place
15-22 Men
Kiernan Mann '23 1st place
Finn Emory '25 2nd place
15-22 Women
Drew Hooker '22 1st place.
Full results are available here. For photos from the event, go here.
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In addition, the CVA Freeski team recently returned from a trip to Copper Mountain, CO. The week-long training trip was a success! Athletes got the chance to experience some of the large park features that Copper has to offer. They also got a chance to watch the 2021 Winter Dew Tour, between training, seeing the world’s best male and female skiers and snowboarders competing in individual halfpipe, slopestyle and para snowboard competitions.
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The CVA Freestyle Moguls student-athletes had an amazing trip to Winter Park, Colorado this December. While in CO, they had nine days of mogul and jump training leading up to the competition at Winter Park.
Gabe Landry '26 was invited to be a forerunner, all three days of the U.S. Selections event. Lance Dolan '22 had a consistent competition week, with three strong finishes. All athletes got to experience great weather, incredible course training, the value of cheering one another on during competition, and a feel for what high-level mogul skiing is all about.
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The Freeride team spent two weeks traversing the West during their December training trip.
The first week was spent in Summit County, CO getting a lot of mileage, and some early-season snow at Copper Mountain and A-Basin. Venturing further West, the team spent a few days in Moab exploring some amazing sights at Arches National Park. Traveling a little further West, the team landed in Salt Lake City, UT and spent a great week of skiing at Alta and Snowbird. Low-tide conditions on Monday were ushered out with three feet of fresh powder falling by the end of the week.
After one first backflip, a lot of giggles, and a lot of face shots, the team headed back East closing out stop 1 of their "Ikonic" winter.
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WEEKEND PROGRAM & CAMPS UPDATE |
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CVA Weekend Program Socials |
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Over the holiday break, Weekend Program families got together to celebrate the season and the successes of the Weekend Program athletes. Coaches, staff, athletes, and their families met outside of The Sugarloaf Inn, around the fire pits, for a program update from coaches and staff, to learn more about the Academy from Academy coaches and staff, and for a chance to connect with other Weekend Program families in their discipline. Athletes were recognized for their commitment to the discipline, and the program. Thank you to all families that were able to make it to these events. It was amazing to see so many CVA athletes and families together on the hill!
Check out some photos from the events here.
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In the first week of December, an awesome talented group of U10-U16 student-athletes from Pennsylvania spent four full days training at CVA, learning from our coaches and alongside our athletes. They did skills training in the morning, followed by gates training in the afternoon. Friday afternoon they combined with academy athletes for a dual GS.
CVA has been hosting this camp for many years. It has become a tradition that CVA students, staff, and coaches look forward to. A Big Dog thank you goes out to these students, and their parents, for an amazing week! We can't wait to see you, again, next year.
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5th/6th Grade Immersion Session |
In mid-December, 10 CVA hopefuls attended the 5th and 6th Grade Immersion Session. They spent one full week experiencing everything that CVA has to offer – from daily tutoring in the Academic Center, to daily training with CVA coaches and athletes, to dining alongside academy students. According to U14 Alpine Coach, Jeni Conover, “They all showed up, every day, with positive attitudes, worked hard on the hill and the classroom, and got into the groove of CVA very quickly. I loved really getting to know these kids, their learning styles, and the areas they need to build on. They all did amazingly well!” A Big Dog thank you goes out to these awesome kids, and our CVA coaches and staff for making them feel at home.
For more photos, go here.
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December Student Recognition Awards |
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Charlie is consistently at the top of her class and is a great bio tutor. She has the highest grade in Honors Pre-calculus, earning an almost perfect score, even while she was traveling. Way to go, Charlie! |
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Amy returned to snow this month and is stronger than she has ever been. She has earned her return to snow and is a model athlete. She works extremely hard both on, and off, the hill. She is positive and respectful to coaches and staff. Congratulations, Amy! |
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Community Member of the Month |
Josie is an integral part of the CVA community. She raises and lowers the flag, daily. She took it upon herself to teach the U14 girls how to tune their skis, making tuning videos for them to review. She recently signed up to be a peer tutor. Thank you, Josie, for all that you do! |
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Getting into the Holiday Spirit |
From decorating Christmas cookies, to creating Christmas decorations, to trimming the tree, the CVA students had many opportunities to ring in the holiday with Big Dog spirit this December.
On December 16th, the CVA Parent Support Organization sponsored a Student Dessert Night, directly following or annual holiday dinner.
A Big Dog thank you goes out to our kitchen staff for preparing an amazing meal, and to our Parent Support Organization for all of the yummy desserts.
For more photos from this year's event, go here.
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WELLNESS FOR ALL: HEALTH NEWS |
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Illness and injury can happen both on the hill, and off. When an athlete is injured, they may not be able to participate in their standard athletic training and/or competition. That’s why CVA’s Athletic Trainer, Tristy Wolfe, MA, ATC, provides emergency care, development of injury prevention programs, and the assessment, management, treatment, education, rehabilitation and reconditioning of the student population.
The rehab program at CVA is designed to allow our student-athletes to do both strengthening and conditioning training, prior to returning to the hill. Each athlete receives personally designed rehabilitation plans, focused on improving joint mechanics and movement coordination, muscle function, increasing strength and power, and improving efficiency of movement. The athletes participate in rehabilitation sessions, during their athletic blocks. Each athlete’s progress is tracked with goals in mind. By focusing on discipline specific aspects of rehabilitation and dry-land training, CVA athlete’s have a smooth transition when they return to snow.
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Mental Health Matters with Katie O'Hara |
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On, January 3rd, we celebrated International Mind-Body Wellness Day, a day for the world to celebrate, honor and bring awareness to the mind, body, and spirit connection. The majority of folks who struggle with mental health issues experience some sort of physical sensations in the body whether it be a chest pain, shortness of breath, or overall aches. In the same vein, people who fall victim to physical ailments report suffering from mental illness shortly after. The western world is finally beginning to see the direct connections between the mind and body. Optimal health is when the mind can be a cure to the body, and the body can be a cure for the mind. To see how you can easily implement wellness into your everyday life, read more here!
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CVA Alumni and Students on the Big Screen |
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CVA alumni, Amy Taisey '02 and Seth Wescott '94, and current CVA students Boden Gerry '24, Brady Harvie '24 and Kyla Harvie '25 were featured in "Winter Starts Now", Warren Miller Entertainment’s 72nd annual film. Along with Amy's husband and co-owner of Amalgam Skis, Bill Taisey, and Rob Lu and Peter McDowell the engineering brains behind Winterstick Snowboards (owned by CVA alumni Seth Wescott '94, Tom Fremont-Smith '91, Christopher Lorenz '89, and Gus Lookner '91) the movie highlights Maine craftsmanship, and the payoff of that craft on the mountain.
The movie was filmed entirely in the US, and features Sugarloaf as one of its twelve locations. “When Sugarloaf was shown at the start of the screening, cheering, roaring, and contagious smiles filled the theater. It was an honor to represent a mountain loved by so many.” said Trent Labbe, Sales Coordinator at Sugarloaf, after attending the film premiere.
Go here to check out the trailer for the film, and for a quick bio from each of the featured athletes.
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Reunited, and It Feels So Good |
The CVA Alumni Association hosted the 2022 CVA Alumni Après Ski Reunion on January 1, 2022 at the Bill and Joan Alfond Competition Center and via Zoom to celebrate all CVA student-athletes from the last 40 years. A Big Dog thank you goes out to our alumni from near, and far, that attended the reunion both virtually and in-person on January 1st! Alumni from the 80s, 90s, and all the way up to the class of 2020 were present. We couldn’t imagine a better group to kick off our 40th anniversary celebrations with!
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YOUR SUPPORT IS EVERYTHING TO CVA |
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2022 CVA Scholarship Bash |
The CVA Scholarship Bash is just around the corner! Stay tuned for raffle ticket sales, and new this year, event ticket sales. This year’s event, February 26th, will be hybrid, with virtual and in-person options at the Alfond Competition Center options .
Only 500 raffle tickets will be sold, for a chance to win $10,000. Raffle tickets support the CVA Scholarship Fund. Those who purchase raffle tickets are also eligible to purchase an in-person event ticket, at $50 each. Only 150 in-person event tickets will be available.
Please contact Melissa Fogg if you’d like to get involved with the event by becoming a sponsor, donating to the auction, selling tickets, joining a committee, or by raising your paddle from away.
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The 22nd Annual Sugarloaf Charity Summit is in full swing, and we'd love for you to join us as we work to raise a mountain of money to fight cancer! Support the event by purchasing a raffle ticket for a 2-Year Sugarloaf Season Pass, bidding in our online auction from January 3-January 29 or signing up to fundraise as a part of the Charity Challenge (where you can earn cool prizes and admissions to exclusive on-hill perks on January 29). Please also be sure to join us for our virtual Charity Summit Celebration on January 29 featuring cameos from some of your favorite Sugarloafers, a tribute to our community of survivors, an entertaining live auction and the highly anticipated raffle pull! For more information about the Sugarloaf Charity Summit and ways you can get involved, please visit SugarloafCharitySummit.org or reach out to Sadie Spivak at [email protected].
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3197 Carrabassett Drive
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
Phone: (207) 237-2250
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