About Sun Valley Ski Academy

Pursue Your Passion with Purpose

At Sun Valley Ski Academy (SVSA) in Idaho, ninth through twelfth grade day and boarding student-athletes can achieve their highest potential both academically and in snow sport competition. With a premier college-preparatory education and world-class coaching, SVSA provides the ideal environment for student-athletes to thrive. Our exceptional Rocky Mountain location—just a five-minute drive from Sun Valley’s legendary lifts—ensures unparalleled access to top-tier training facilities and outdoor adventure opportunities.

Whether your passion is alpine racing, big mountain (freeride), freeski (park and pipe), freestyle (moguls), cross-country, or snowboarding, SVSA offers the coaching expertise, academic flexibility, and comprehensive support needed to help you excel on the slopes and in the classroom.

At Sun Valley Ski Academy, you will:

  • Excel academically at Sun Valley Community School, a top-tier independent school offering rigorous coursework, individualized attention, and a strong college preparatory program. Just take a look at our outstanding college placement!

  • Train with the best as a member of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF), a USSA Gold Certified Club—one of the first in the nation—renowned for developing elite-level athletes and providing a grassroots to grand stage program.

  • Compete at the highest levels with the flexibility and support to pursue an intensive training and competition schedule that may take you across the country and around the world.

  • Explore the outdoors through Sun Valley Community School’s signature Outdoor Program, which immerses students in the west’s breathtaking wilderness and fosters camaraderie through adventure-based learning.

  • Enjoy a well-rounded high school experience, with opportunities to participate in traditional school events like prom, student senate, and school athletics, ensuring student-athletes live a balanced and meaningful teenage life.

As an SVSA Student-athlete, You’ll Be Supported By:

  • Two dedicated academic coordinators who offer over 40 hours of academic support per week, whether you are traveling, or in between comps and at home. 

  • A tailored academic calendar that includes a summer-term session, allowing student-athletes to complete coursework ahead of the winter season to reduce academic load during peak competition months and earn an early release from school, giving you even more time on the mountain!

  • Shortened academic days in winter, enabling optimal morning and/or afternoon on-snow training sessions, customized to your age and discipline.

  • A faculty and administration team that understands the unique demands of competitive skiing and snowboarding and is committed to supporting your passion, providing flexibility and individualized academic planning.

At Sun Valley Ski Academy, student-athletes don’t have to choose between academic excellence and elite-level competition—they can have both. If you're serious about skiing or snowboarding and looking for a program that truly supports your aspirations, SVSA is the place for you!

 

The SVSA Story

Sun Valley Ski Academy was founded in 2011 through a partnership between Sun Valley Community School and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Both organizations have been established and successful in the Wood River Valley for over five decades. 

Since our inception we have had over 400 student-athletes graduate through our dual programs. Eleven have made the U.S. Ski, Snowboard, and ParaAlpine teams, and 36 have continued on to race collegiately at the NCAA level. 

Academics, boarding facilities, and school sports are provided by Sun Valley Community School, while skiing and snowboard programming is managed by the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation.

If you like to ski and you like the outdoors, this is your place. SVSA is about so much more than skiing—it has so much more to offer. We have great snow, great support, and world-class training venues.

Bennett '19, SVSA Alpine Athlete