Words by Ian Reynolds & Sam Putnam

Sam Kimmerle, a Social Geography major, greases the Davis Student Center rail. Photo by Bryant Hughes

Founded in 2008 by then student, now youth marketing

coordinator at Killington Mountain Resort, Tess Hobbs, the University of Vermont Freestyle Ski Team (UVM FST) is giving

freeskiers the opportunity to continue learning and competing throughout their

college experience. As a club

sport, the student-run team provides the opportunity to shred, learn about the

ski industry, and help sculpt the future of the team and the sport at UVM.

UVM mascot "Rally Cat" goes big in Stowe's North Slope Terrain Park. Photo by Bryant Hughes

UVM FST continues to provide its members with week-long van

transportation to Stowe and full coverage of competition fees. With three

terrain parks accessible in one run, an 18-foot pipe, and unlimited backcountry,

Stowe offers something for every aspect of freeskiing.

Ian Adams, a Civil Engineering major, nose presses the down tube at Stowe. Photo by Bryant Hughes

Sam Putnam, an Electrical Engineering major, grips the down flat rail at Rails to Riches. Photo by Drew Amato

Currently at 51 members, the UVM FST has made its next big stride

with the addition of a full time coach for the 2011-2012 season. The team has contracted Noah Labow for four full on-hill days and one night video review session each week. This is a great addition for the team as Noah comes from a

wealth of experience. After founding

the Johnson State Freeskiing Team in the 98-99 season, he moved on to coach

full time for Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine. After five years of coaching for

the school, Noah felt a move was in order. He got the call from the UVM FST

upon receiving budget approval for a coaching position.

Labow has lofty goals for the program and is excited to join

forces with UVM. With the level of skiing changing almost daily, Labow is

quickly putting his experience to good use by offering dry land training

sessions, trampoline sessions at the brand new Green Mountain Gymnastics Center

(housing three Olympic-sized fly bed trampolines), and customized plans for

those students that choose to take advantage of his services. Students have the ability to choose

their own level of involvement, providing a greater flexibility to members than

that of a Division 1 team like the UVM Race Program.

Green Mountain Gymnastics Freestyle Center in Williston, Vermont. Photo by Green Mountain Gymnastics

UVM FST members are currently stationed across the country

as winter break comes to a close. Freshman Griffin Dunne is currently representing the

team at the World Freeskiing Tour in Revelstoke, BC, while members across New

England are making the best of sub-par snow conditions in preparing for events

that include The Dumont Cup, USASA Nationals, and the Gatorade Free Flow Tour.

To learn more about the UVM Freeskiing Team, visit their website at http://www.uvm.edu/~freeski/index.php along with exploring their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/UVMFST, and feel free to post any questions you have about the program in the comments below. And for a look into a season with UVM FST, check out the team edit below!

Thanks to Josh Blatt, Chase Martin, Galin Foley and others for providing footage.