U16 ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

2026 TIMELINES 

• MARCH 27: Automatic invites communicated to selected athletes via club coaches
• MARCH 27: Applications for remaining athletes accepted
• APRIL 3: U16 ADP – DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF INVITATION including nominated athletes
• April 10: Selection for U16 ADP communicated to athletes and families
• April 17: Confirmation of participation and deposit due to Alpine Ontario
• MAY 10 –17: SPRING TECHNICAL CAMP (SUNSHINE)
• May 29-June 1: U16 Athletic Development Fitness camp*
• AUGUST 8-22 – U16 Athletic Development Camp – El Colorado, Chile*
• OCTOBER 10-19: U16 Athletic Development Camp – Indoor (SL emphasis)*All in person camps are subject to change and travel dates may vary.

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ALPINE ONTARIO – 2026 U16 ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION   

Launched in 2016 in consultation with Alpine Canada Alpin, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, and AOA member clubs, the U16 Athletic Development Program provides supplemental performance focused training that complements existing club and regional programs. U16ADP athletes remain fully integrated with their home clubs and teams while accessing intensive development camps and specialized coaching. 

The program is led by AOA High Performance Director Joey Lavigne, former Canadian Alpine Ski Team Director, and AOA Executive Director Patrick Biggs, a two-time Olympian and former Canadian team member. We conduct annual program reviews to ensure the content and structure continue serving Ontario’s developing athletes effectively.” 

PROGRAM GOALS:  

Athlete Development 

• Bring together Ontario’s most committed and talented 2011 & 2012 birth year athletes 

• Increase time on snow through strategic, high-quality training camps 

• Elevate fitness levels and build commitment to complete athletic development 

• Identify high-potential athletes using holistic assessment and provide systematic progression opportunities toward Provincial and National Ski Teams 

Culture & Mindset 

Build a culture rooted in Grit, Growth, and Gratitude 

Develop strong habits around effective training, proper preparation, and personal well-being management 

Increase motivation and foster an environment where athletes push each other to improve 

Education & Support 

Educate athletes and parents on the demands, opportunities, and pathways of elite ski racing development 

Provide clear guidance on progression from club programs through AOA development pathways to national teams 

Support AOA member clubs by enhancing athlete development within the broader performance system 

Why would an athlete consider this program? 

You’re Ready for the Next Level 

You want an environment where hard work is celebrated, improvement is the goal, and you’re surrounded by athletes who push you to be better every day 

You’re ready to deepen your commitment to ski racing while building lifelong friendships with Ontario’s most dedicated young racers 

You want to train alongside the province’s top athletes and coaches, including members of the Ontario Development Ski Team (ODST) 

You Want Comprehensive Development 

Systematic technical and tactical skill development through focused on-snow training blocks 

Physical preparation that builds the strength, power, and endurance required for high-level racing 

Mental performance training to develop focus, resilience, and race-day execution 

Education on what it actually takes to succeed as an elite ski racer – ski racing literacy, the fitness commitment, equipment knowledge, recovery protocols, nutrition fundamentals, and disciplined routines that separate club racers from national team athletes 

You Value Expert Coaching and Support 

Access to coaches with provincial and/or national team experience who understand the technical, physical, and mental requirements of progression to elite levels 

Learn from experienced ski technicians, strength coaches, sport science professionals, and performance specialists 

Get individualized feedback and systematic skill development you can’t access in weekend club training 

You’re looking for Academic Flexibility 

Summer high school credit option reduces academic pressure during the competitive season, allowing you to focus on training and racing when it matters most 

2026 PROGRAM DETAILS 

The 2026 U16 ADP will consist of: 

• Three on-snow camps – Spring tech camp (Sunshine), May, August in El Colorado, Chile, and October in TBD European camp (which may be indoor). Camps will be run with approximately 15 athletes per gender at each camp; camps will be operated with approximately 6 to 1 athlete to coach ratio, and 10 to 12 days on snow, indoors, and spring camp will be approx. 7 days in duration. Athletes must attend at least 2 projects to be part of the program. (We strongly recommend the Chile camp as an on-snow camp) 

• One Physical Fitness camp –May or June – location tbd – purpose is to evaluate, educate, and promote a culture change with regards to commitment to fitness.  (Details to be provided).  We are currently looking into building a more complete fitness program into this that could be followed and monitored over the entire year.  This will be costed out and made into a proposal to parents.  This camp is deemed mandatory to be included in the program. 

• Grade 10 History (CHC-2D) Online Summer School Course. 

• We plan to integrate the scheduling of the ADP camps with that of the ODST to encourage a vertical integration of training during on-snow camps. 

COST 

Cost of the U16 ADP will be: 

• 400.00 Fitness camp – should accommodation/meals be required, they will be the responsibility of the athlete. 

• 2500.00 +HST* -May camp – Sunshine (TBD)  

• 6750.00 + HST* for El Colorado Chile 

• 2000.00+ HST* for indoor, Germany/? – MID OCTOBER 

• Flights and Alpine Canada SAIP (emergency medical insurance) are not included. *All costs are subject to change. 

• Costs at this time are estimated and will be finalized prior to the start of the program in April, as well as prior to each project being run. 

Payment schedule: A deposit of 2000.00 is required upon confirmed acceptance into the program and confirmed registration.  Payment via e-transfer should be made to payments@alpineontario.ca. Please add description ADP deposit. Further payment schedule will be for each project, a further deposit of 50% for each project one month prior, with final payments due for each project at the completion of the project and final accounting. (no further than 7days after completion). A final reconciliation will take place at the conclusion of the program.   

SELECTION 

For selection purposes, the first 10 spots for first year (2012) U16 (5f 5m) and the first 10 spots for second year (2011) U16 (5f 5m) based on Canam/U16Easterns AOA selection rankings will be identified by the AOA High Performance Director, and an invitation to join will be extended.  Following this, camps will be filled in a review of all applications.  (10 athletes – 5f and 5m). Remaining spots via applications from interested athletes.  Applications will be considered* based on the previous season’s Fitness, Mindset & Coachability, Work Ethic/Motivation, and OCUP results. Send a letter of application to jlavigne@alpineontario.ca, see timelines for details of submission, acknowledgement, as well as notification. 

*Coaches discretion will also be applied; all supporting documents must be submitted, including the above mentioned information. 

 

2026 TIMELINES 

• MARCH 27: Automatic invites communicated to selected athletes via club coaches 

• MARCH 27: Applications for remaining athletes accepted 

• APRIL 3: U16 ADP – DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF INVITATION, including nominated athletes 

• April 10: Selection for U16 ADP communicated to athletes and families 

• April 17: Confirmation of participation and deposit due to Alpine Ontario 

• MAY 10 –17: SPRING TECHNICAL CAMP (SUNSHINE) 

• May 29-June 1:  U16 Athletic Development Fitness camp* 

• AUGUST  8-22 – U16 Athletic Development Camp – El Colorado, Chile* 

• OCTOBER 10-19: U16 Athletic Development Camp – Indoor (SL emphasis)*All in-person camps are subject to change, and travel dates may vary. 

 

RECOMMENDED FITNESS STANDARDS: 

To take full advantage of the program, it is recommended that athletes be able to hit the minimums below.  AOA uses the ACA combine fitness standards. 

Women 2011 &2012 yob: Beep Test-9.1, Box Jump-60 40cm box, Toes to Bar-3, Hex Rail 22.00 sec. 

Men 2011 & 2012 yob: Beep Test-10.7, Box Jump-66 40 cm box, Toes to Bar-3, Hex Rail22.00sec 

 

ADDITIONAL/OPTIONAL PROGRAMMING: 

If you are looking for additional programming options to take your ski racing to the next level, we encourage you to take advantage of multiple offerings from our fitness partners. 

Active Life Conditioning – Collingwood 

SXS Fitness – Toronto 

 

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2025 ADP Program Review

The 2025 Athlete Development Program (ADP) for U16 athletes has officially concluded its final camp. This year’s program featured three projects: an early-summer fundamentals camp in Sunshine Village, Alberta; a high-volume technical block in El Colorado, Chile in August; and a fall-season preparation camp in Hintertux, Austria in October.

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A Clearer, More Defined Development Approach

This year, we took a more structured approach to athlete development, emphasizing technical fundamentals, progression, and thoughtful planning.

• Camp 1 (Sunshine): A free-ski–focused block designed to establish strong fundamentals and deepen athletes’ understanding of technical concepts in a low-pressure learning environment.

• Camp 2 (El Colorado): Introduction of drill courses and technical-skill development in a controlled setting, progressing into more traditional training environments.

• Camp 3 (Hintertux): Despite weather-related challenges, the focus shifted toward full training-course execution and race-season preparation, with adjustments made as needed based on terrain and conditions.

Overall, we feel the program was highly successful in providing an effective training environment and meaningful development opportunities.

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Coaching Leadership and Staff Excellence

A key objective this year was to have one lead coach oversee the entire program. Thomas Trusler led the ADP with professionalism and dedication and did an outstanding job. Due to academic commitments, he was unable to attend the final project.

We are extremely pleased with the overall staffing across the three camps. Our coaching team was professional, enthusiastic, experienced, and—most importantly—fully committed to athlete development. We also aimed to provide athletes with exposure to a range of coaching styles and expertise.

A sincere thank-you to:
Kevin Gosselin, Ashley Campbell, Tori Johnston, Stefan Overgaard, Jacques Reid, Tim Buchanan, Alistair Scott, Cam Stephens, Bill Real, and Thomas Trusler.
Ten exceptional coaches whose passion for skiing is truly infectious.

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Program Impact and Club Integration

Our goal remains to deliver a program that equips athletes with the skills and habits needed for a successful season with their home clubs. To support alignment, we developed a camp evaluation report that will be shared with all participating athletes’ club coaches. This helps ensure continuity between AOA programming and club-level development, enabling clubs to build on the progress made at camp.

We continue to refine our daily planning process, aimed at helping athletes understand the connection between training objectives, skill acquisition, and performance.

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Participation and Provincial Reach

Of the 33 athletes identified for this year’s ADP, 28 participated.

• 16 athletes attended two projects

• 12 athletes attended at least one

We were pleased to welcome athletes from LSSD, NCD, and SOD, underscoring the ADP’s role as a truly province-wide initiative.

As always, each project came with challenges—such as an Air Canada strike during the Chile camp and difficult October weather in Hintertux—but our staff managed these situations with exceptional professionalism and adaptability.

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Looking Ahead to the Race Season

With training camps complete, our focus now shifts fully to the competitive season. We are working to confirm additional opportunities that complement club programming, including:

• Speed Camp dates

• Collaborative opportunities with ODST

• Additional touchpoints for developing athletes throughout the winter

Our goal is to continue supporting young athletes with meaningful, high-quality development experiences.

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Thank You

A heartfelt thank-you to all coaches, parents, athletes, and clubs for contributing to a successful ADP year. We welcome feedback and are committed to continuous improvement. Please reach out to me or any coach with questions or suggestions—your input directly informs our review process and helps us strengthen the program each year.

Great work, athletes, and best of luck this season.
We’ll be watching, and I look forward to seeing everyone on snow.

Joseph Lavigne
High Performance Director
Alpine Ontario