Sugar Bowl Academy
P.O. Box 68
Norden, CA 95724
530-426-1844 (t)
530-426-1860 (f)
sbacademy.org   

Assistant to the Head: Kelly Farrell at kfarrell@sbacademy.org

Founded: 1998

Sports: Alpine racing, nordic and freeride

Ages: Full-year program: grades 8-12, winter-term program: grades 6-11

Program length: Full-year, six-month winter term, four-month winter term

Application period: May 15 deadline for tuition discount; then rolling admissions

Staff/student ratio: 1:6

Cost: Full-year boarding $34,125; full-year day $17,590; winter-term boarding $25,200; winter-term day $13,650
Scholarships: The large Sugar Bowl Ski Team community helps to provide a substantial need-based financial aid program for SBA tuition assistance. Approximately 45 percent of SBA students receive nearly $200,000 in financial support annually. SBA is available to families from all financial backgrounds.

Headmaster: Tracy Keller (tkeller@sbacademy.org); executive director, Bill Hudson (bhudson@sbst.org).

Academic strengths: A comprehensive and rigorous college preparatory curriculum includes AP classes, lab sciences, foreign languages and fine arts electives. Graduation requirements meet or exceed entrance requirements for selective four-year colleges and universities, including those in the University of California system. An all-inclusive college-counseling program includes standardized test preparation, development of the college list, and a specialized course during senior fall for completion of the applications. A year-round academic schedule enables students to take summer courses and reduce their academic load during the winter months. Technological resourses enhance on-campus instruction and facilitate distance learning when students are traveling. Faculty members have strong academic credentials including advanced degrees in their content areas and/or secondary education and Ivy League educations. Sugar Bowl Academy is an athlete centered, community-based program designed to provide the very best athletic and academic opportunities to individual student-athletes. In addition to comprehensive academic and athletic offerings, SBA offers a comprehensive student life-learning program that includes leadership and health life curricula, nonprofit volunteer opportunities, and participation in community building programs.

Head coaches: Head men’s alpine coach, Guenther Birgmann; head women’s alpine coach, Hermann Gollner; head alpine J3 Coach, Luke Patterson; head nordic coach, Jeff Schloss; director of J4/5&Development Programs, Jim Hudson; head freeride coach, Sean Carey.

Coaching staff: J1/2/3 alpine coaching staff includes Devin Gill, Nate Fisher, Lesley LeMasurier, Clayton Reed, and Libby Webster. Nordic coaching staff includes Chelsea Holmes and Ambrose Tuscano. Athletic trainer, Sarah Gley. Directors of conditioning, Douglas and Candice Brooks.

Notable alumni: Katie Hitchcock, Philip Violett, Jacqui Lebel

Training facilities: A private race arena at Sugar Bowl Resort is complete with high-speed lift access, snowmaking and a new watering system. A cooperative relationship with Sugar Bowl Corporation allows for training on varying terrain as well as full-length GS/SG. The open boundary and the terrain park at Sugar Bowl Resort provide numerous opportunities for freeride skiers. Cooperative relationship between Royal Gorge and Auburn Ski Club provide several nordic venues within a short distance from campus.