Where to learn professional slalom snowboarding in SoCal?

[Doldol]

My 12-year-old son learned snowboarding last season and 3 instructors told me that he has to learn snowboarding seriously. He wants to do giant slalom so I contacted the big bear team and mammoth team but they said they don’t do slalom for snowboarding. I tried to find specialist for him but failed. Where can I find a good teacher? He wants to try competitions as well but I don’t even know how to start the process. Is there anybody to recommend? Thank you in advance.

[Jack M]

Welcome Doldol.  I'm not familiar with coaches or programs local to you, but if you can't find any you might look into a G Team camp.  They provide alpine coaching.  You'd need to contact them to see about availability.

https://www.thegteam.com/shredders

[BlueB]

Welcome @Doldol 

First, what is "seriously" and what is the end game? 

If it's World Cup / Olympics, you'll have to completely change your lives around it, possibly move too. 

If it's fun recreational racing, you are out of luck - without local teams and races, it would be too much travel and not enough training. 

If it's just honning his skills and having fun on different, high performance gear, hook up with local alpine riders + video tutorials. Maybe take a ski vacation to a resort where you can get a week, or few days, of coaching from a proven coach / hard boot instructor? 

[barryj]

On 11/16/2024 at 9:37 PM, Doldol said:

slalom for snowboarding.

There's beer league  and Nastar up here in Tahoe.  I know Palisades, Boreal and Mammoth all have had open Alpine gate practice  one day/night a week for hardboot riders the last few seasons.

I'd say reach out to the Nastar Director/program at your local Mtn. to start.

[Jack M]

2 hours ago, BlueB said:

If it's fun recreational racing, you are out of luck - without local teams and races, it would be too much travel and not enough training. 

USASA has Slalom in the South Lake Tahoe Series, and Giant Slalom and Slalom in the North Lake Tahoe Series.  Unfortunately no racing in the Southern California Series.

https://www.usasa.org/regional/events/?season=2025

USASA is a level up from NASTAR, but their age-group racing is still pretty recreational.  USASA Open Class is serious, and is the pipeline to NorAms.

[gawdzira]

@barryj do you have any schedule info for Palisades gates for this coming season?

[barryj]

28 minutes ago, gawdzira said:

Palisades gates for this coming season?

Hey G,

Not yet.  it evolves over the season.  All the Race teams have priority, after that there's a feeding frenzy of who get's the scraps.......

Boreal on Weds. nights is a better beer league option...at least historically ......but don't quote me as I've not been on any race course the last  2 seasons from recovering from my post race training collision and surgeries. 

[Doldol]

On 11/20/2024 at 9:44 AM, BlueB said:

Welcome @Doldol 

First, what is "seriously" and what is the end game? 

If it's World Cup / Olympics, you'll have to completely change your lives around it, possibly move too. 

If it's fun recreational racing, you are out of luck - without local teams and races, it would be too much travel and not enough training. 

If it's just honning his skills and having fun on different, high performance gear, hook up with local alpine riders + video tutorials. Maybe take a ski vacation to a resort where you can get a week, or few days, of coaching from a proven coach / hard boot instructor? 

We are going to Park City next week and Colorado resorts during Christmas season. Can you recommend any specific instructor or resort

[BlueB]

4 hours ago, Doldol said:

We are going to Park City next week and Colorado resorts during Christmas season. Can you recommend any specific instructor or resort

I think it's better to let the forum members from those areas to chime in. Maybe post separate threads with resorts and dates and see who responds?