About Us - We Believe in Unleashing Potential!

Since 1985, the Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation (KSEF) hasn't just been around; we've been igniting passion! Founded by Kirkwood visionaries, our mission was crystal clear from day one: empower young ski racers. Born from a deep love for the sport and built by and for dedicated racers, KSEF is committed to fueling both athletic brilliance and academic success.

As a premier ski racing organization gearing up for an incredible Winter 25/26, we've spent nearly four decades pushing the boundaries of ski racing innovation. We provide driven athletes like you the launching pad to chase limitless potential within a community built on trust and shared excitement. Our dynamic athletic development programs are crafted not just to build champions, but to cultivate a lifelong love for mountain snow sports, foster healthy competition, and promote a vibrant, balanced lifestyle.

Celebrating almost 40 years of impact, KSEF is more fired up than ever to nurture alpine ski racing talent and inspire the next generation of skiing legends for the 25/26 season and beyond!

A Community Fueled by Passion

Our Mission for 25/26: The Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation (KSEF) is your launchpad! We empower passionate skiers to smash athletic goals, shine academically, and grow into amazing individuals, all while championing resilience, determination, and courage every step of the way.

Our Vision: To be the ultimate standard for excellence and inspiration in ski teams and educational ski programs, creating unforgettable experiences season after season.

More Than Just Training: At KSEF, we're your partners on this incredible journey. We’ll challenge you to reach higher, offer unwavering support, lift you when you stumble, and celebrate wildly with you at every finish line. Our focus? Honing the details that make champions and guiding you toward a life packed with exceptional achievement and fun!

We help you unlock the potential you might not even see yet, especially on tough days. We're here to support you in juggling life's demands, finding that extra gear to push through challenges, mastering new skills, solving complex problems on the fly, and soaking up the sheer beauty of the mountain playground around you.

KSEF Core Values - Our Guiding Stars for 25/26:

• Building Our Tribe: We actively foster a safe, supportive, and fun community that thrives on family connection, shared goals, open communication, and giving back.

• Chasing Excellence: We provide awesome opportunities and pathways for achieving peak performance in both athletics and academics.

• Forging Character: We champion respect, integrity, empathy, and awesome sportsmanship in every interaction.

• Developing Rockstars: We cultivate confident, resilient individuals equipped with a powerful work ethic, accountability, perseverance, and the adaptability to conquer anything.

• Living Fully: We nurture individuals to lead healthy, happy, purposeful lives filled with passion and adventure.

Our Dynamic 25/26 Training Programs

Get ready to rip! Our training programs kick off in early winter (think early October) and run full throttle through the spring sunshine into April. We deliver specialized on-hill alpine race coaching for youth and master athletes, primarily Friday through Sunday and during holidays – maximizing mountain time! Our athletes proudly represent KSEF at United States Ski & Snowboard (USSS) sanctioned events, including Far West and FIS races, plus Tahoe League competitions, showcasing their hard-earned skills and dedication.

A Letter to Our Members - Gearing Up for Winter 25/26!

Dear KSEF Community,

As we look ahead with excitement to the upcoming 2025-2026 season, I'm filled with immense gratitude and honor to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation (KSEF). Reflecting on our journey, your unwavering support has always been the bedrock of our success, and I'm thrilled about the possibilities this next chapter holds for all of us.

Our foundation pulses with the energy and passion of our incredible athletes, dedicated parents, and supportive families. Your commitment is the fuel driving our mission: nurturing young ski racers while fostering that incredible, lifelong connection to the sport and the mountains. Together, we're building more than just skilled athletes; we're shaping resilient, awesome individuals ready to excel wherever life takes them.

KSEF is far more than a ski program – it's a life-shaping adventure. We are passionately focused on building a sustainable, vibrant future for KSEF, ensuring we continue offering exceptional coaching, fantastic resources, and that unique, supportive community vibe for many seasons to come. My commitment to this vision, strengthened by years of dedication to both Kirkwood Mountain Resort and KSEF, is absolute.

Challenges will always arise – as my father-in-law, Dick Reuter, wisely put it, "It's just a challenge... we must overcome and adapt to succeed." Building on our strong foundation and facing the future with enthusiasm, I am incredibly optimistic about what we can achieve together in the 25/26 season.

As we prepare for another amazing winter, I kindly and mindfully ask for your continued energy and support. Your involvement is absolutely vital – whether you're volunteering your time, contributing resources, or cheering passionately from the sidelines. Every bit makes a difference! Together, we can ensure KSEF continues to shine as a beacon of excellence in ski education. Your support isn't just appreciated; it's essential to shaping KSEF's bright future. You are truly integral to everything we do.

Thank you for being the heart of this incredible community. I can't wait to share a fantastic 2025-2026 season packed with growth, triumphs, and unforgettable moments with all of you!

With deep gratitude and excitement,

Coop | President | Board of Directors