Baker Freeride Program
WHO IT'S FOR
Skiers & Snowboarders ages 13 – 18
Minimum ability requirements: If you can comfortably ski or ride North Face and Gabl’s and independently get yourself back together after a normal fall, this program is for you! Join us and build your skills, experience and connections to other teens looking to progress and shred the full mountain.
Maximum ability: There is no maximum! If you can shred double-blacks, have backcountry experience, are ready to compete at the national level, this program is also for you! Join us and level up your skills even more with our very experienced coaches.
If you live for winter, enjoy challenge, and call Mt. Baker home on the weekends, Baker Freeride is your launchpad to exploring everything the mountain has to offer . . . steeps, trees, powder, and big-mountain lines. Designed for skiers and riders ages 13–18, this program boosts your skills, style, and confidence while building a solid foundation in mountain safety, terrain management, and responsible decision-making. Whether you’re here to charge with zero interest in competing or you’re eyeing IFSA regional or national events, you’ll level up fast with our expert IFSA-certified coaches. Join us to find progression, build real mountain awareness, and create friendships that’ll stick long after the snow melts.
WHAT BAKER FREERIDE IS ABOUT
Safety & Education
Building smart decision-making, mountain awareness, and responsible freeride habits.
Fun & Progression
Keeping the stoke high while developing skills, confidence, and personal growth.
Consistency & Sustainability
Reliable coaching and long-term development that supports athletes, the mountain, and the community.
QUESTIONS? If you’re not sure that your experience and abilities are the right fit for this program or if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us! We are happy to chat with you, answer questions, and help you determine the right Freeride or Progression Session program for you. Send your contact info to nicole@mtbaker.us and we will get back to you as soon as possible – within 2 business days at the latest.
2025-26 Freeride Program Session Options
| SESSION | DURATION / HRS | DATES | COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (1-day Session) | 1 day (4.75 hours) | Saturday January 10 | $180 |
| B (1-day Session) | 1 day (4.75 hours) | Sunday January 11 | $180 |
| C (Multi-week Session) | 4 days (19 hours) | SATURDAYS January 17 January 24 January 31 February 7 | $649 |
| Option to combine Session C with either A or B (Multi-week Session) | 5 days (23.75 hours) | Either January 10 or 11 + January 17 January 24 January 31 February 7 | $749 |
DAILY SCHEDULE
9:30 – meet at Raven Hut
9:30 – 11:45 • on-mountain coaching
11:45 – 12:30 • lunch break *
12:30 – 3:00 • on-mountain coaching
*Participants will not be supervised by the Coaches during the lunch break. If Parent/Guardians prefer their child be supervised, they are responsible for meeting participant promptly at the Raven Hut at 11:45am for supervision during the lunch break (11:45am-12:30pm)
NOTE: Lift access, food and equipment are not included the program. Participants must have either a valid daily lift ticket or Mt. Baker season pass.
COACHES
Our Baker Freeride Coaches are IFSA L100 certified. The International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization “dedicated to advancing the sport of big mountain freeride by sanctioning competitions across North and South America, supporting athlete development, and upholding the highest standards of safety, integrity, and progression.”
The IFSA L100 certification includes:
• Safesport certificate
• CPR/first aid certificate
• CDC Heads Up certificate (concussion awarenes)
Visit the IFSA website for more information about the specifics of L100 certification, the IFSA organization, and getting involved in freeride competition.
BRETT MILEWSKI
Brett Milewski grew up skiing Mt. Baker and went on to compete nationally in mogul skiing, building a strong foundation in technique and performance. He spent five summers coaching at Momentum Ski Camps on Blackcomb, helping athletes progress in a fun, high-energy environment. The past couple seasons he has been helping both his daughters make the podium in IFSA freeride events.
As the CFO (chief freeride officer) for Baker Freeride, Brett is excited to help guide the next generation of Baker skiers—focusing on progression, safety, and a lifelong love for the mountain he calls home.
ELIJAH LEE
Elijah Lee grew up skiing in Juneau Alaska at Eaglecrest Ski Area, "which is basically a baby Mt. Baker". He has been involved in over one hundred IFSA Freeskiing events, as both a judge and competitor. He has clocked many top ten finishes in these events, was crowned the 2001 North American Freeskiing Champion and 2009 Bulgarian Freeskiing Champion (for real!). Elijah enjoys chocolate chip cookies, pickleball, and (almost) anything to do with renovating old houses.
HANK KENNEDY
Hank grew up snowboarding at Mt Baker and loves challenging himself. After trying out one IFSA junior freeride comp, he fell in love with them and started doing as many as he could. After a couple wins locally and then placing well nationally, two trips to Europe for the Junior World Championships came to be. Hank ended up walking away from one of them with a 1st place overall in the world.
Hank has a passion for technical snowboarding and knows how to help make a rider standout from the rest. Coaching freeride at Baker is a way to give back to the sport and community that gave him so much love.
ELIZA HIGH
Baker Freeride coach Eliza High grew up in Salt Lake City with Alta-Snowbird as her home mountain, but now calls Glacier and Mt. Baker home. She spent her adolescence competing in IFSA events with Altabird Freeride on their national (3*) team. "Altabird provided exceptional mentorship and community both on and off snow. I am grateful to have been raised in the grassroots community of IFSA-sanctioned junior events." After graduating from the Winter Sports School in Park City in 2015, she came to Mt. Baker in search of more snow and fewer people. 2016-17 marked her first season here, and needless to say, she never looked back. "I skied more powder days during my first season at Baker than all of my previous ski days combined."
Eliza has spent six seasons coaching the U16 age group with the Mt. Baker Race Team, despite lacking a formal background in ski racing. Freeride skiing is rooted in similar fundamentals, just applied to big-mountain terrain. Her knowledge of subtle technique drills on ungroomed terrain helped maintain athlete progressions, even on days without gate training. Her coaching philosophy focuses on building strong, well-rounded athletes by fostering technical ability, confidence, mental resilience, and a healthy relationship with risk and progression. "I am thrilled for the opportunity to be part of the next generation of freeride at Baker!"
LILLIAN NIMMER
Hi, my name is Lillian. I’ve been competing in freeride skiing since I was 10 years old. After moving on from junior competitions, I became a Freeride Coach at Alpental. Since relocating to Bellingham to pursue Graphic Design at WWU, I’ve been skiing at Mt. Baker and am an active member of the Western Washington University Freeride Club. I also continue to compete in select FWQs as a college student. I’m so excited to be part of this season’s coaching crew at Mt. Baker!
GRADY ADAMS
Grady Adams grew up skiing Mt. Baker and moved to Jackson Hole to join their Freeride Program and push his ski ability. He has spent the last 4 seasons filming in the Teton backcountry and competing in IFSA and FWQ freeride events across the globe. He looks forward to competing and coaching athletes in future seasons.
As an assistant coach for Baker Freeride, Grady is excited to coach athletes and work with the next generation of freeriders to establish a community of skilled riders who respect and appreciate the mountains that they call home.
BILLY REEVES
Billy grew up skiing in Winter Park, Colorado, where he trained in Freestyle moguls - competing throughout the Rocky Mountain Freestyle division and qualifying for Junior Nationals. After graduating from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, he returned to Winter Park to coach freestyle skiing for four seasons, helping athletes hone their technique and build confidence for competition.
He loves living in Bellingham with his partner Hannah and their two dogs and is stoked to ski with more local Mt. Baker athletes!
Black helmet: Brett Milewski – Freeride Program Director
Blue helmet: Grady Adams – Assistant Coach
Snowboarder: Hank Kennedy – Coach
Skier: Lillian Nimmer – Coach
Eliza High – Coach