US Ski & Snowboard Designates New High Performance Center in Idaho

The Julia Argyros Training Center at Community School’s Ketchum Campus has been designated a U.S. Ski & Snowboard High Performance Center. This designation reflects a collaboration between the Sun Valley Ski Academy (a partnership between Community School and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation) and U.S. Ski & Snowboard to provide young snow sport athletes regional training centers and expert coaching to further develop their skills.

The Julia Argyros Training Center in Community School’s Ketchum Campus is modeled after U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah. The state-of-the-art 3,200-square-foot space serves Community School Upper School and Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) athletes and offers everything an athlete needs to become strong and fit for their athletic endeavors.

In August, Johnie Michael joined Community School’s staff as High Performance Specialist. Michael manages the Julia Argyros Training Center and coordinates strength, conditioning, and sport science services for high school athletes participating in a wide variety of SVSEF and Community School sports. In addition, Michael designs, implements, and monitors all aspects of athletes’ yearly plans for athletic development. Prior to joining Community School, Michael most recently worked at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah, providing strength and conditioning training for all disciplines with a focus on freestyle. His experience with Olympic athletes included all aspects of athletic development including strength, power, speed, agility, and more.

“The designation of these facilities as a U.S. Ski & Snowboard High Performance Center recognizes the world-class caliber of the equipment and expertise the site offers to athletes to help them pursue the highest levels of snow sport competition,” said Luke Bodensteiner, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Chief of Sport. “The support provided for athletes in Sun Valley has and will continue to allow athletes to achieve their goals at all levels.”

“Since the inception of the Sun Valley Ski Academy and Community School’s Residential Program, we have consistently put in place programs that enable our student-athletes to receive a phenomenal education while training and competing at an elite level in their respective snow sport disciplines,” said Jonna Mendes, Sun Valley Ski Academy’s Program Director. “As one of very few ski academies with a designated U.S. Ski & Snowboard High Performance Center, we continue to pursue initiatives that elevate the student-athlete experience.”

SVSEF Alpine Program Director Scott McGrew noted the significant benefit to snow sport training that the Julia Argyros Training Center provides. “With the U.S. Ski & Snowboard High Performance designation, and through our partnership with Community School, SVSEF programs are elevated to a new standard. SVSEF athletes will surely benefit from access to elite-level training and educational resources, as well as the cultural implications that come with having this level of programming. This facility has drawn high-caliber athletes, from top U16 cross country skiers to local SVSEF alumni who compete at the international level in their respective sports, thereby setting a new standard of professionalism and giving fresh insight and perspective to our own athletes. Results are already evident with the introduction of this new facility; our athletes’ strength and athleticism, as well as their commitment to and knowledge of training and its benefits, have all improved. As an organization that historically produces top skiers and riders, we are excited to see how this designation helps further our athletes’ growth and development.”

At Sun Valley Ski Academy, ninth grade through postgraduate day and boarding student-athletes are supported to reach their highest potential academically and in snow sport competition, while also benefiting from extracurricular activities. SVSA students find meaningful academic challenge at Community School; train as a member of SVSEF, benefitting from the proven coaching power of a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Gold Certified Club, one of only 19 in the nation; have the flexibility and support to pursue intensive training and competition schedules that (might, could, will) take them all over the nation and world; participate in Community School’s signature Outdoor Program, exploring the landscape of the West through trips that make the most of the area’s stunning wilderness areas and connect students with their school community.

Release courtesy of Sun Valley Ski Academy