While the current Bear Creek Team is still evolving from its creation in 2005, the mountain has hosted and supported several race teams since the late 1970's. It all originated from the Doe Mt. Ski Team, training with simple bamboo poles and what little snow there was to work with. After disolving in the mid-1980's, a new team formed under the direction of current Bear Creek head coach, Rolf Mair. That group, called the 7th Wave Ski Team (Using Doe Mt. Race Team was forbiden), supported all ages of racers plus formed a freestyle team that competed from Virginia to Maine. Numerous 7th Wave racers were accepted to ski race academies in New England, but due to waning mountain support, 7th Wave moved North in 1998.

In 1999, Doe Mt. went bankrupt and new owners came in and began what would be a long and expensive rebuilding and expansion project. In 2005, a new ski team was born from the suggestions and support of the new owners of the mountain. Modern equipment was purchased, new slopes cut and state of the art snowmaking was put in place. Where we once had to improvise training regiments due to thin snow cover, and be creative with makeshift gates and equipment, we now are thrilled to have the blessing of management and the benefit of having a parent based team club that supports us in many ways.

The 2010-11 season will find the Bear Creek Ski Team under new direction. Reece McGregor leads the team and brings extensive organizational qualities as well as years of coaching experience. Reece's career began as an accomplished junior racer, having attended numerous elite level events including Junior Olympics. His point count was one of the lowest in the State. Later, he attended Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine to further his ski racing skills. Returning to Pa, he proudly coached the J3 team at Elk Mountain and also was hired to coach several PARA post season events, including J3 Junior Olympics. Last season, Reece began coaching at Bear Creek as our J4 asst. coach and from that experience, proved he was capable of overseeing all functions of our team.

Head Team Coach, Rolf Mair returned to Bear Creek in 2009 after spending 10 years leading the Montage/Sno Mt. J1-J3 team. Rolf brings 23 years of coaching experience and has been hired over a dozen times by PARA to coach state teams during and after the regular season, including 4 trips to the J3 Junior Olympics. Rolf currently holds a Level 200 Coaches license and is studying various elements of the Level 300 course. He is also a level 1 Referee. Previous race experience includes missing a trip to collegiate Nationals by one place point, winning dual slalom ASRA Nationals and competing in the X-Games Skier Cross qualifiers in Squaw Valley.

Andi McGunnigle, our Developmental Team Coordinator, is in charge of designing and overseeing the season long program for our younger racers who aren't ready to travel just yet. She has been a ski instructor since the 2001-2002 season and a race coach since the 2006-2007 season. She is currently certified as a PSIA Level II Ski Instructor, a certified USSA Level 100 Coach & registered Alpine Official. Andi has enjoyed racing NASTAR since 2005-2006 and has qualified nearly every year for the National Championships. She is also one of the teams original members. Her certifications, knowledge and teaching skills have proved invaluable to our growing group of developing racers.

In addition, we've been fortunate to have the direction and in-depth racing knowledge of former US Ski Team member A.J. Kitt. Bear Creek also sports a great group of seasoned coaches as well as visits from guest coaches that include current and former State and National Champions.

The goals of focus of the Bear Creek Ski Team varies with each racer and group. Our aim is to provide a fun, healthy and meaningful race training experience to our developmental racers, while giving our experienced racers a challenging environment and tools needed to excel in competition. Whether looking to improve ones skiing through gate training or reach the State Championships and beyond, the Bear Creek Ski Team is the place for it all.

UPDATED: 5/10/2010-----

Keep watch on this page as well as our calander for updates on registration for the 2010-2011 season. Remember, we only have 75 slots!

Our daily itinerary for this season is as follows:

Weekend Training