National Development System (NDS)

The National Development System is a project-based system that provides an interface between the U.S. Ski Team and the regions, academies, clubs and programs throughout the country. The System provides projects that are nationally driven and regionally implemented through regional directors and coaches, in order to provide leadership and direction for a clear path for achievement in the sport of alpine ski racing at the levels below the U.S. Ski Team.

Implementation of the National Development System is based on the following principles:

• The NDS (National Development System) cannot and should not attempt to provide full training and race programs.
• Top athletes in each age group should have periodic opportunities to train and compete with top athletes in their peer group.
• A project-based system will be a vehicle to integrate the Regions, Academies, Clubs and Programs throughout the country.
• A common partnership between the full-time USSA staff, U.S. Ski Team staff and the top coaches in the academies and clubs will produce a broader based program for athletes attempting to emerge to the U.S. Ski Team and will more effectively utilize resources in the community.
• In order to create an American System we need to provide a clear path to achievement in the sport of alpine ski racing and the NDS is critical in this mission.

Participation in National Development System (NDS) training and competition projects is limited to athletes who:

• Are USSA members in good standing as Alpine Competitors or Alpine Youth (depending upon the age of the project)
• have a valid U.S. passport
• have a valid U.S. FIS membership (depending upon the age of the project), or for younger skiers, who intend to join FIS as a U.S. athlete.

Foreign athletes who have USSA memberships are not eligible for USSA International Competition Teams.

Foreign athletes are not eligible for USSA NDS projects except by special invitation. Any foreign athlete extended an invitation will be charged an additional fee to cover any USSA grant to the project.