This story was Published in The New England Ski Journal

January 2006

By Heather Burke

 

Does your kid have the mettle to medal? Is your park rat pushing tricks to near perfection? Why not enter your youngster in the Next Snow talent search at your favorite New England resort this winter, and find out.

The Next Snow Search, now in year three, is like American Idol for kids on snow, open to boys and girls, boarders or skiers, with stops at local mountains around the country – no long lines, huge entry fee, or anxious auditions.

Unlike a traditional slalom race or a big air and halfpipe showdown, the Next Snow Search is an open format where kids 9-13 perform on their home slopes (everything from bumps, gates, jumps, and rails, to halfpipe, even carving). Each resort sets up their own venue and handpicks their panel of judges, who select the best, based not just on skill and talent but also sportsmanship, poise and positive attitude. Some resorts even add a written essay component to the on-snow contest.

Sound like a winner? This talent hunt on the hill is the mastermind of Jack Turner – who created the fuzzy ski area mascot SnowMonsters. Turner has brought in big gun sponsors like Sports Illustrated for Kids, Chevrolet, Snickers and KFC for Next Snow.

Families interested in checking out this competition should go to www.NextSnow.com to find the nearest New England resort hosting a qualifier, which is the gateway leading up to the Next Snow nationals. The past two years, 150 kids representing over 70 ski areas from the U.S. and Canada went to Keystone, Colorado in March for the final showcase. There, the top 25 kids are named to the honorary Next Snow Team - an All-Star of youth snow sports, televised on NBC and featured in "SI for Kids Magazine." For the first time, this winter’s finals will be held in the East at Killington, March 3-5, 2006.

"We are extremely excited to host this event, " said Allen Wilson, President of Killington Resort. "We have been involved with the Next Snow Search since its inception and we are proud to showcase our signature parks at Bear Mountain and provide these young athletes a world-class venue."

Eastern kids have done extremely well at the Colorado finals the past two seasons. The overall winners for 2004 and 2005 were both Easterners, and last season 9 of the 25 honorary Team spots were filled with New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine stock.

Last winter at Attitash, Tucker Perkins of North Hampton, NH, entered his first Next Snow competition at age 13 and qualified for the Keystone finals. Tucker won a spot on the Next Snow Team, a Rossignol sponsorship and placement on the new Nike 6.0 team.

"The Next Snow Search has been an incredible door-opening experience for Tuck," said Al Perkins, Tucker’s father. "The Next Snow people run a wonderful event. They focus on behavior, personality and manners of the athletes – so they are rewarding the well-rounded kids."

At Smugglers’ Notch Vermont, Snow Sport University director Peter Ingvoldstad said, "The value of this Next Snow competition is that the kids not only are showcasing their considerable skills on the snow, they are also demonstrating how well rounded they are in other areas. Competitors had to write an essay describing why they like to ski or ride at Smuggs, and they interact with the judges, who look for things like positive attitude and personality. The competition is rewarding good human beings, not just good skiers and riders."

Parents should be comforted to note that helmets are required, inverted aerials are a no-no, and as per the Next Snow website: "Self-centered, obnoxious, rude, and disrespectful behaviors are also ways for a person to get noticed. At the Next Snow Search, they are sure-fire ways to guarantee rejection! A good rule of thumb is to be nice."

The Next Snow Search reflects the evolution of snow-sliding. Just a decade ago, kids were limited to ‘stick-chasing’ (code for racing in gates) or strictly guide-lined aerials or moguls. This next gen of skiers and riders can throw down maneuvers on a plethora of snow-covered elements, and they do it with style. Tossing in a written essay requirement and points for grace and good manners – well it’s about time.

The 2004 and 2005 All Star teams will be featured on NBC Feb. 11 at 2pm. Jack Turner, founder of Next Snow Search said, "This event showcases the future of skiing and snowboarding on TV. I believe these young athletes will do as much to inspire kids as the Olympic athletes."

The Next Snow Search takes place in January and February at resorts throughout New England. Check out www.NextSnow.com for event dates leading up to the Killington finals.

If your kids are like mine, they may enjoy just being spectators at this unpredictable and exciting exhibition (maybe it was the writing assignment that scared them away).
 

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