Killington Ski Club receives Gold-Certified status from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)

Courtesy of KSC

Chris Clarke president of Killington Ski Club (left), is joined by John Okolovich, KSC director (center) and Brian Krill of USSA (right) as they accept their Gold-certification.

PARK CITY, UTAH – Killington Ski Club received the highest level of certification from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) during their spring meetings. This was the second year that USSA performed “club certification,” and nine ski and snowboard clubs became certified with the highest standard being Gold-Certified status.

The clubs were recognized on May 13 at the annual USSA Club Excellence Conference in Park City, Utah. The podium-level certification process involves a rigorous self-study and peer review of best principles and practices for ski and snowboard clubs. Killington Ski Club (KSC) had an on-site visit during the 2013-2014 National Club Day, and a review was conducted by USSA High Performance staff and other leaders in the ski and snowboard club world.

Brian Krill, USSA Club Development Manager commented, “The group of clubs we worked with this season, and the next ones on deck, represent a more and more diverse mix of clubs on many levels. This process will prove beneficial especially to clubs that may not have gotten as much attention from USSA as others in the past.”

Club consultant Steve Cohan said, “The structured certification process not only systematically works through the prescribed materials but also provides the opportunity to dig deep into real-world issues facing these clubs.”

Bryan Hopkins, current KSC Board of Directors Vice President and member of the KSC/KMS Development Program Oversight Board stated; “We initiated this process with USSA about a year ago and this has been a very thorough review of our club management, finances, programs, coaching, and operations by USSA over this period of time. We are very pleased to be named one of the initial Gold Certified USSA clubs in the nation, and are very confident in KSC’s ability to maintain the high standards this certification requires over the seasons to come. With our partnership and affiliation with KMS (Killington Mountain School) we are able to maximize our resources to achieve our near term objective of becoming the #1 Development Program in the east.”

Of the USSA certification process, Krill said, “This is an exciting time for the USSA and its partnership with clubs. This process not only recognizes club excellence, but also gives a clear roadmap for all clubs to become stronger organizations. This is a strategic move for the USSA to support clubs, be a more club-based organization and better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist for clubs in every corner of the country. In the first round of podium club certifications the Killington Mountain School was recognized. It is clear that they could not do what they do without the strong partnership they enjoy with the Killington Ski Club. This season KSC pursued and completed the certification process further representing the commitment to excellent facilities, relations with the resort, and programming that serves the entire Killington community cradle to grave!”

Killington Ski Club is located at the base of Killington Mountain, and is a seasonal member-only facility with over 400 families.  In addition to being the headquarters for the KSC/KMS Development Programs for youth ages 7-18, KSC also offers adult ski development and Master’s racing programs.

2015 Podium Clubs

GOLD

Bridger Ski Education Foundation (Bozeman, MT)

Carrabassett Valley Academy – Sugarloaf Ski Club (Carrabassett Valley, ME)

Green Mountain Valley School (Waitsfield, Vt.)

Killington Ski Club (Killington, Vt.)

The Loppet Foundation – Loppet Nordic Racing (Minneapolis, MN)

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Ski Team (Squaw Valley, Cali.)

Sugar Bowl Academy and Ski Team (Norden, Cali.)

Utah Olympic Park – Park City Nordic Ski Club/Fly Freestyle (Park City, Utah)

Winter Park Competition Center (Winter Park, Colo.)

SILVER

Park City Sports Education Foundation/Park City Ski Team (Park City, Utah)

Team Gilboa (Eden Prairie, MN)

Team Summit Colorado (Silverthorne, Colo.)

BRONZE

Bromley Outing Club (Peru, Vt.)

The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain (Wilmington, Vt.)

Snowbird Ski Education Foundation (Holladay, Utah)

Mount Mansfield Ski Club (Stowe, Vt.) – Certification Pending