Shaun White Helps Launch U.S. Olympic Talent Search at Mount Hood's High Cascade and Windells

North America's largest landing bag training system debuts at Wy'East Mountain Academy in conjunction with Project Gold - the U.S. national team's youth development initiative

PORTLAND, Ore., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Windells Freeski Camp today announced a partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard to host Project Gold – a national talent identification program focused on mentoring the country's top up-and-coming snowboard and freeski athletes. The inaugural session will take place June 15–21, 2025, at the camps' facility within the Wy'East Mountain Academy campus on Mount Hood, just outside Government Camp, Oregon. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White will join the session on June 17 to work with athletes and coaches, sharing insights from his own youth development journey and Olympic experience.

Project Gold brings together 60 of the country's top junior athletes for a week of Olympic-caliber coaching, progression-based training, and evaluation by U.S. Ski & Snowboard's elite coaches. The program represents a key step in bridging the grassroots culture of summer camps with the structure of the national team pathway, providing early exposure for athletes who may represent the United States at future Olympic Games.

This year's session will also mark the debut of the camps' new landing bag, an Olympic-caliber dry slope and airbag training system designed by Austria-based Banger Bags and generously funded by parents of a Wy'East Mountain Academy alumnus. Located on Wy'East Mountain Academy's 28-acre campus, the world-class landing bag includes a 30-foot-wide adjustable takeoff ramp with jump distances ranging from 30 to 60 feet and a landing zone over 100 feet in length. The system will be used by Project Gold athletes this June before opening to a broader group of campers this summer.

Athletes participating in Project Gold will have a unique opportunity to learn directly from one of the sport's all-time greats when Shaun White visits camp on Tuesday, June 17. White will meet with the group to share lessons from his own path to Olympic success and offer advice on navigating the sport's evolving landscape. White recently launched The Snow League, the first professional winter sports league dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing, which includes a new revolutionary head-to-head format and more unified competitive schedule, allowing the next generation of athletes to excel.

"This is a key moment for developing talent here in the U.S.," said White. "We've always had incredible young riders, and now we have the infrastructure and partnerships to help them grow at home—starting at the grassroots level. High Cascade and Windells have been part of the foundation of snowboarding and freeskiing for decades, and Project Gold builds on that legacy by giving the next generation the tools, coaching, and opportunity to dream big and go far."

Athletes invited to Project Gold by U.S. Ski & Snowboard were selected based on their performances in the Revolution Tour, Futures Tour, and USASA National Championships. Additional invitees were selected based on prior-season eligibility and developmental potential.

"Project Gold gives our national team coaches the chance to work with athletes in a true development-first setting," said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport. "It's not about results—it's about long-term progression, relationship building, and identifying athletes with the skills and mindset to succeed at the highest level."

A youth athlete's journey often begins at High Cascade and Windells weeklong summer snowboard and freeski camps, held on the year round snowfield at Mt. Hood. The camps welcome riders of all levels – from young beginners learning to link turns in the Soft Start™ program to competitive athletes in the Performance Focus™ training track. With six sessions each summer, campers ride, train, and build community alongside experienced coaches, Signature Session™ pros, and like-minded peers. As athletes grow, they have opportunities to stay for multiple sessions, enroll at Wy'East Mountain Academy, and ultimately earn invitations to Project Gold, where the pathway to Team USA becomes a real possibility.

The June session will be led by a combination of the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team, Stifel U.S. Freeski Team, High Cascade, and Windells coaching staff, including Leah Stroud, Mike Lund, Ryan Conway, Eric Beauchemin, Danny Kass, Mike Ramirez, Stan Wu, Dave Euler, Ryan Wyble, Ryan Carey, Niko Drew, Mike Riddle. In addition to their on-snow responsibilities, coaches will focus on developing trust, assessing long-term growth potential, and connecting with athletes who could rise through the national team ranks in the years ahead.

For more information about Project Gold, visit usskiandsnowboard.org. To learn more about High Cascade, Windells, and Wy'East Mountain Academy, visit highcascade.com, windells.com, and wyeastacademy.com.

About U.S Ski and Snowboard

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 250 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, freeski, nordic combined, ski jumping, Para alpine and Para snowboard. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit usskiandsnowboard.org.

About High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Windells Freeski Camp

High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Windells Freeski Camp are world-renowned summer snowboard and freeski experiences, respectively, located on Mount Hood, Oregon. Founded in 1989, the camps provides all-inclusive, weeklong sessions for snowboarders of all skill levels—ranging from first-time riders to elite competitors. Thanks to Mount Hood's glaciers and consistent snowpack, the camps operate during the summer months, offering athletes unmatched access to on-snow training. The 28-acre campus features private parks, trampolines, skate facilities, and a vibrant community environment that supports progression both on and off the hill. High Cascade and Windells are part of We Are Camp and the broader Unrivaled Sports family of youth sports properties and experiences. To learn more, visit highcascade.com, and windells.com.

About Wy'East Mountain Academy

Wy'East Mountain Academy is a year-round action sports boarding school located at the base of Mount Hood, Oregon. Founded with the mission of empowering student-athletes to pursue their full potential both academically and athletically, Wy'East offers a college-preparatory education integrated with high-performance training in snowboarding, freeskiing, skateboarding, mountain biking, and more. The academy serves middle and high school students from around the world, providing a supportive environment where passion meets purpose. With access to world-class terrain, dedicated coaches, and a vibrant campus community, Wy'East Mountain Academy cultivates the next generation of leaders and athletes. To learn more, visit wyeastacademy.com.

About The Snow League

Launched in June 2024, The Snow League is the first professional winter sports league dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing. Founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist and entrepreneur Shaun White, Season One features a four-event global format boasting a $1.6 million prize purse, with athletes competing to earn points to determine the overall champions. The season kicks off at Buttermilk in Aspen Snowmass (March 7–8, 2025), then moves to Yunding Secret Garden, China (Dec. 4–6, 2025), where 16 of the world's top freeskiers will join the roster at the Beijing 2022 Olympic venue. The League returns to Aspen (Feb. 26–28, 2026) and concludes at LAAX, Switzerland (March 19–21, 2026), where the first-ever Snow League World Champions will be crowned.

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SOURCE Wy’East Mountain Academy