Park City, Utah – The Alpine Racing Collective (ARC), a burgeoning youth alpine ski racing program headquartered in Park City, Utah, has concluded its third competitive season by achieving an extraordinary distinction: the top per-athlete performer in the fiercely contested Intermountain Division (IMD) South Series. This significant accomplishment places ARC at the pinnacle of a competitive field encompassing 17 clubs across three states – Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming – and validates its distinctive athlete-first operating model across the U8 to U12 age classes. Building on this resounding success, ARC has officially confirmed the establishment of a full U14 squad for the 2026-27 season, with strategic plans for a U16 expansion to follow once the optimal coaching staff is secured, all part of a comprehensive, long-term development pathway aimed at preparing athletes for elite FIS-level competition.
Dominating the Intermountain Division: A Third Season of Success
The Intermountain Division (IMD) represents one of the most competitive regions for youth alpine ski racing in the United States, serving as a crucial proving ground for aspiring athletes. Comprising a vast geographical area and numerous established clubs, success within the IMD South Series is a powerful indicator of a program’s efficacy and the talent it fosters. ARC’s meteoric rise to the top per-athlete performance in just its third season of operation is a testament to its unique approach. From its inception in 2022, ARC set out to challenge conventional wisdom, asserting that high performance and athlete-centered development are not mutually exclusive but rather intrinsically linked. The 2025-26 season has unequivocally proven this premise, with the program consistently demonstrating exceptional results across multiple age groups and disciplines. This validation has provided the impetus for ARC’s strategic expansion, solidifying its position as an innovative force in youth ski racing.
Unpacking the U12 Championships Triumph
A cornerstone of ARC’s 2025-26 season success was its standout performance at the 2026 IMD U12 Championships held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here, ARC’s relatively compact 35-athlete program delivered one of the most efficient and impactful performances observed across the entire division. Across a demanding series of six races, which offered a total of 30 top-5 podium positions, ARC athletes secured an impressive 11 of those coveted spots, accounting for 36.7% of all top-5 finishes. This statistic is particularly striking when considering the program represented only approximately 5% of the total 216-athlete field, which comprised 106 women and 110 men.
Beyond the sheer number of top finishes, ARC also recorded an unparalleled 36.4% top-5 rate per start, translating to 11 top-5 results across just 33 individual race starts. This metric, the highest in the division, underscores the exceptional consistency and readiness of ARC’s athletes. Such a disproportionate level of success from a smaller program highlights not just individual talent but also the effectiveness of ARC’s coaching, training methodologies, and athlete preparation. The results at the U12 Championships serve as a clear, data-driven validation of the program’s ability to develop highly competitive racers ready to perform under pressure.
The ‘Athlete-First’ Philosophy: A Blueprint for Excellence
Founded in 2022 by Head Coach Chris Probert, the Alpine Racing Collective was conceived with a clear and compelling vision: to foster high performance through an unwavering commitment to athlete-centered development. This core philosophy posits that genuine athletic excellence emerges not from a "win at all costs" mentality, but from a holistic approach that prioritizes the individual athlete’s growth, well-being, and long-term love for the sport. The program’s operational tenets reflect this deeply ingrained belief.
At the heart of ARC’s success lies its stringent adherence to an exceptional coach-to-athlete ratio, maintained at a non-negotiable ceiling of six athletes per one coach. This intentional decision, championed by Alpine Director Cody Marshall – a former U.S. Ski Team World Cup slalom competitor who joined ARC in 2025 – ensures that every athlete receives unparalleled individualized attention. Marshall, bringing a wealth of experience from his competitive career and subsequent roles in alpine equipment and technical apparel, has been instrumental in refining ARC’s technical development pathways.
This low ratio allows for highly personalized instruction, immediate feedback, and a deep understanding of each athlete’s unique strengths and areas for improvement. Complementing this, ARC integrates cutting-edge analytical tools into its daily training. Individualized video review sessions provide athletes with visual insights into their technique and tactics, enabling precise adjustments. Furthermore, the use of Protern.io wearable-sensor feedback offers objective, real-time data on performance metrics such as speed, line, and turn dynamics, translating abstract concepts into quantifiable improvements. The program also emphasizes continuity of relationships across the entire season, fostering a stable and supportive environment where athletes feel secure in their development journey and coaches can build long-term rapport. This comprehensive, technology-driven, and relationship-focused approach forms the bedrock of ARC’s "athlete-first" model, demonstrably driving both performance and personal growth.
Leadership Driving Innovation: Probert and Marshall’s Vision
The vision and expertise of ARC’s leadership have been critical to its rapid ascent. Head Coach and Founder Chris Probert embarked on establishing ARC with a profound belief that youth ski racing could be reimagined. His philosophy, as demonstrated by the program’s success, is that focusing on the athlete’s holistic development — their physical, mental, and emotional well-being — ultimately leads to superior performance on the racecourse. Probert’s commitment to creating an environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and understood has cultivated a culture of excellence and passion for the sport.
Cody Marshall’s arrival in 2025 as Alpine Director further solidified ARC’s technical prowess and strategic direction. Marshall’s distinguished career as a U.S. Ski Team World Cup slalom competitor provides invaluable first-hand experience at the highest levels of the sport. His transition from elite athlete to a leader in youth development, coupled with his background in alpine equipment, brings a unique blend of competitive insight and practical understanding of the technical demands of ski racing. Marshall’s emphasis on precise technique, data-driven coaching, and fostering a deep understanding of the sport’s nuances has been pivotal in translating ARC’s athlete-first philosophy into tangible results. Together, Probert and Marshall have forged a dynamic leadership team, merging foundational developmental principles with elite-level strategic execution, creating a robust framework for current and future success.
Rising Stars: Depth Across Age Groups and Genders
ARC’s success in the 2025-26 season was not confined to a few standout individuals but demonstrated remarkable depth across its roster, spanning both boys and girls rankings within the IMD South Series. Six ARC athletes earned coveted spots in the overall top 10 for the series, a significant achievement for a program of its size.
Among the boys, Soelden Probert led the charge, claiming the #1 rank with an impressive 1,150 points, securing first-place finishes in Giant Slalom (GS), Slalom (SL), and Parallel Slalom (PSL). Close behind, Leo Saenz ranked #3 with 973 points, highlighting his versatility with a 2nd in PSL and 5th in SL. Hudson Eaton, at #7 with 819 points, showcased consistent performance by placing in the top-10 across all events. Wels Decker, ranking #9 with 783 points, demonstrated similar consistency with top-6 finishes across all disciplines.
On the girls’ side, Lily Burky earned the #2 rank with 1,080 points, marked by a 2nd in GS and 3rd in PSL. Evelyn Bridgman secured the #4 rank with 930 points, consistently placing in the top-7 across all events. These individual achievements underscore the program’s ability to develop well-rounded athletes capable of excelling in various racing formats.
Furthermore, ARC’s commitment to fostering talent from a young age was evident in its strong pipeline from U8 to U12. At the YSL Finals, the program’s younger athletes showcased significant promise, with notable achievements including a U8 boy securing 1st in SL, a U8 girl placing 3rd in GS, a U10 girl achieving 1st in SL, and another U10 girl earning 3rd in GS. The program also strategically raced select U10 athletes up at the U12 Championships, where these younger competitors continued to demonstrate their exceptional potential by consistently reaching the podium against older, more experienced competition. This early success indicates a robust developmental framework that identifies and nurtures talent from the foundational levels, ensuring a sustainable future for ARC’s competitive aspirations.
Navigating Adversity: Adapting to a Challenging Snow Season
The 2025-26 winter season presented unprecedented challenges for ski racing programs across the Wasatch region, as it recorded the lowest snowfall on record. This historic scarcity of natural snow led to widespread training disruptions, limited access to prime venues, and forced many programs to significantly alter their plans. For ARC, however, this adversity became an opportunity to demonstrate the flexibility, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment inherent in its athlete-first model.
The program rapidly adapted its training protocols, implementing a series of proactive measures to ensure its athletes maintained their development trajectory. This included expanding its dryland training regimen, focusing on strength, agility, and conditioning off the snow to build a robust physical foundation. When on-snow training was possible, ARC leveraged creative logistics, including extensive travel to alternative venues that had more favorable snow conditions, even if it meant significant logistical coordination and time on the road. The leadership also secured access to smaller, specialized training facilities, such as the Utah Olympic Park, allowing for focused technical work even when larger courses were unavailable. This adaptability ensured that despite the environmental constraints, ARC athletes received consistent, high-quality coaching and training opportunities.
Looking ahead, this experience has catalyzed a significant structural evolution for ARC. Beginning in the 2026-27 season, the program is collaborating with partner schools to introduce early-release schedules for its athletes, coupled with direct transportation to training venues. This innovative academic-athletic pathway is designed to minimize conflicts between schooling and training, creating a more integrated and supportive environment for student-athletes. This strategic adaptation not only addresses potential future environmental challenges but also reinforces ARC’s commitment to holistic athlete development, recognizing the importance of academic success alongside athletic pursuits.
Charting the Future: Expansion to U14 and Beyond
The resounding success of its U8-U12 program has laid a solid foundation for the Alpine Racing Collective’s ambitious expansion plans. For the 2026-27 season, ARC has confirmed the launch of a full U14 squad, marking a significant step forward in its athlete development pathway. Crucially, this expansion will adhere strictly to ARC’s established coaching ratios and rigorous development standards, ensuring that the quality of instruction and individualized attention that has defined its success is maintained as the program grows.
The U14 program will introduce athletes to a more advanced level of competition and training, focusing on refining technical skills, enhancing tactical understanding, and building greater physical and mental resilience. This next phase is designed to prepare athletes for the increasing demands of competitive ski racing, including exposure to larger courses, faster speeds, and more complex race formats.
Beyond U14, ARC has articulated a clear vision for further growth, with a U16 expansion planned for the subsequent years. This strategic progression is contingent upon securing the "right coaching staff" – a testament to ARC’s unwavering commitment to quality over mere expansion. The U16 program will serve as a crucial bridge to higher-level competition, preparing athletes for the transition to national and international circuits. The ultimate long-term objective of ARC’s development pathway is to equip its athletes for FIS-level competition, the pinnacle of amateur alpine ski racing. This comprehensive, multi-stage growth plan underscores ARC’s dedication to nurturing young talent from foundational skills through to elite performance, providing a seamless and supportive journey for aspiring ski racers.
Broader Impact: Elevating Youth Alpine Ski Racing Nationally
The Alpine Racing Collective’s remarkable achievements in the Intermountain Division extend beyond regional accolades; they position ARC as a potential paradigm shift in youth alpine ski racing across the United States. By consistently demonstrating that an athlete-first approach can not only coexist with but actively drive high performance, ARC offers a compelling model for other clubs and national sports organizations.
The program’s success challenges traditional competitive models that sometimes prioritize results over the holistic development and well-being of young athletes. ARC’s emphasis on low coach-to-athlete ratios, individualized technical feedback, cutting-edge analytics, and a supportive, continuous learning environment presents a blueprint for sustainable athlete development that fosters a lifelong passion for the sport, rather than burning out young talent.
In a broader context, ARC’s vision is to contribute to raising the overall standard of youth alpine ski racing in the United States. By cultivating a new generation of skilled, resilient, and well-rounded athletes, ARC aims to strengthen the talent pipeline for collegiate ski racing programs and, ultimately, the U.S. Ski Team. The program’s commitment to adapting to challenges like low-snow seasons and creating integrated academic-athletic pathways further highlights its innovative spirit and its potential to influence national best practices. ARC is not just building a successful club; it is striving to build a better future for American alpine ski racing, one athlete at a time.
About Alpine Racing Collective
Alpine Racing Collective (ARC) is a Park City-based youth alpine ski racing program dedicated to serving athletes from U8 through U14, with a U16 program currently in development. Founded in 2022, ARC operates on a unique athlete-first model that prioritizes holistic development and individualized coaching. The club holds U.S. Ski & Snowboard Bronze Podium Club status, a recognition of its commitment to excellence in athlete development, and primarily conducts its training at the prestigious Utah Olympic Park, providing access to world-class facilities.
