Created: 20 October 2020
Meet Ali Sacash-Johnson and Leslee Schader, USASA’s newest Series Directors of the Mt Hood Series. 
USASA is a family affair! Leslee Schader and family ready for comp day (left) Ali Sacash-Johnson maximizing some Northwest sunny ski days with her daughters (right).
Ali Sacash-Johnson and Leslee Schader met when their kids who are about the same age (9-12) were a part of the Mt. Hood Meadows Freeride Team. Ali’s kids freeski, Leslee’s kids snowboard. Soon enough they were spending their weekends standing at the top of USASA event courses or taking laps between heats with the whole gang. So when long time Mt. Hood Series Directors Mike and Jen Fitzsimons decided it was time to move on Leslee and Ali swooped in and volunteered to take the wheel.
Created: 21 September 2020
Big Mountain West freeskier Bennett Balogh is making big moves on and off the hill. Photo: VAST 2019 Nationals.
Jackson, Wyoming is known for its natural terrain and elite pedigree of big mountain snowboarders and freeskiers which is exactly why 15-year-old freeskier Bennett Balogh grew up dropping cliffs and hitting jumps versus doing cruiser laps through a mini-park. It wasn’t until he was 10 years old that a USASA Big Mountain West event came to Jackson Hole and his view of what freeskiing was forever changed. “I didn’t think competing in freeskiing was a thing you could do,” Bennett said. But once his eyes were opened by his first USASA competition Bennett set his sights on the competitive path.
Created: 02 October 2020
Three-time Olympic Coach and owner of BK Pro Progression Camps, Bud Keene chipping in support of USASA.
The 1st Annual USASA Golf Classic presented by Devil’s Head Resort and Alpine Resort teed up at McHenry Country Club this past Friday with a star-studded cast of Olympic athletes who raised over $20,000 for USASA. Olympians Kelly Clark, Justin Reiter, and Tricia Byrnes were on-site to support USASA’s continued fundraising efforts along with Bud Keene, three-time Olympic coach and owner of BK Pro Progression camps. “It is so great to come out and support USASA, and have a little fun at the same time”, said Keene, adding “USASA is such an important part of the development of athletes on their journey through sports and life, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
Created: 09 September 2020
Join USASA for our VIRTUAL golf fundraiser that everyone can play in and support USASA and its efforts in the grassroots development of US snowboard and freeski athletes.
Between now and Sept 25th, purchase your ticket, get your tournament code for the 18Birdies App and play a round of golf at your local course to participate in USASA's virtual golf tournament and fundraiser. Golfers participate in individual stroke play at the golf club of their choice and compete against other virtual USASA tournament players. 18Birdies will weigh each courses' difficulty using their customized algorithm creating a virtual leaderboard that lets you know where you stand throughout the event period (Sept 2-25). Prizes will be awarded to the top golfers.
Created: 19 August 2020
The longest-standing New Hampshire Series member, Dave Paulger, sends it in Methuselah Division slopestyle for the 2019 USASA National Championships in Copper.
Hailing from the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USASA Methuselah, Dave Paulger is a true pioneer of snowboarding. In 1973, when snowboarding wasn’t even a thing, Dave was climbing local hills and riding down them on a Snurfer he bought at the hardware store. Forty-years later you can still find Dave standing sideways as the longest-standing member of the New Hampshire Series bringing his A-game and positive attitude to every weekend event.
Created: 11 August 2020
A Wasatch Academy student enjoya an on-campus skate session between classes. Wasatch Academy is a college-prep boarding school for students in grades 7-12 located in Mount Pleasant, Utah.
We sat down with Wasatch Academy’s Director of Snowsports, Chris Nester, to chat about the advantages of boarding school in the time of COVID-19, what it means to for student-athletes to have their own private snow and skatepark (with a rope tow and private cat for hot laps!!) and how Wasatch Academy’s newly developed competition program for USASA athletes offers the next generation the best of both worlds. Did we mention Mount Pleasant, Utah, home of Wasatch Academy’s 300 boarding students is perfectly located with easy access to seven national monuments, five national parks and 14 of the best ski and snowboard resorts this country has to offer?
Created: 04 August 2020
Hinojosa family four-pack. Southwest Freeride Series Directors Tiffany and Tony with kids Ela and Diego.
The Southwest Freeride Series is a family affair for series directors Tiffany and Tony Hinojosa. “Our series, be it participants, parents, volunteers, and judges, all come together to support one another on the snow and off. We are more than a series. We are a family.” says Tiffany.
