Athletics

Ski Cross

Carrabassett Valley Academy is proud to be one of the few academy-based Ski Cross programs in the United States. Our FIS and Development athletes compete at the highest levels, earning USASA National Championships, attending U.S. Ski & Snowboard Project Gold camps, and excelling in elite FIS events.

In 2023–24, two Big Dogs represented Team USA at the Youth Olympic Games in Korea, earning two silver medals. At the 2025 Junior World Championships in France, CVA athletes contributed to Team USA’s Marc Hodler Trophy win with a podium result. That same year, CVA athletes made history at the senior Ski Cross World Championships in Switzerland with the highest finish ever recorded by an American woman. CVA currently has six athletes identified as Olympic hopefuls for the 2026 Winter Games, underscoring the program’s strength and momentum.

The CVA Difference

World-Class Training Venue

Sugarloaf offers an extended season, progressive terrain, and an Olympian-designed ski cross course giving athletes the ideal environment to advance quickly and train with purpose.

Expert Coaching
Under the leadership of Michael Phelan, head coach for Team USA at the 2024 Junior World Championships and Youth Olympic Games and former World Cup ski cross athlete Maize Hayden, our coaching team brings deep competitive experience and a strong commitment to athlete development.

Program Pathways

Development Team
Skill progression through USASA events with the goal of qualifying for USASA Nationals.

FIS Team
For athletes ages 16 and older, centered on advanced techniques, race tactics, and mental preparation. Competitions include FIS and Nor-Am events with the goals of Junior Worlds and World Cup opportunities.

Year-Round Training

Fall and Spring training supports:

Strength and conditioning
Cross-training
Mental performance development
Goal setting and athletic evaluations

Off-season, athletes gain experience at specialized facilities and on-snow venues globally to refine skills and compete at the highest levels.

Start Your Journey

Join a program with proven results, expert coaching, and unmatched mountain access.

Apply today and take the next step toward your ski cross goals.

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List of 2 members.

Mike Phelan

Ski Cross Program Manager & Head Ski Cross Coach

401-787-0683

Bio
Mike grew up in Rhode Island and started ski racing at a young age. He attended Waterville Valley Academy for his senior year of high school and continued racing at the collegiate level. His love of the sport sparked a desire to coach and led him to join the CVA Weekend Program as a Ski Cross coach in 2015. Mike was promoted to Ski Cross Head Coach in 2018, and then named Ski Cross Program Manager in 2021. In 2024 he was named Head Coach for Team USA at the Youth Olympic Games and Junior World Championships. Mike’s experience, training philosophy, and commitment have helped to grow CVA’s Ski Cross program into one of the best Academy programs in the country.
Mazie Hayden

Ski Cross Coach, Mountain Bike Coach

Bio
- Mazie attended Killington Mountain School for ski cross, graduating in 2018. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2023 with a B.A. in Health and Society and a Minor in Sociology and Psychology. Mazie is a Vermont native and grew up skiing, biking, and rock climbing at a competitive level. During her ski cross career, she won USASA nationals multiple times, podiumed at Junior Worlds, and had a few top 15 World Cup finishes. Now, she competes internationally in downhill mountain biking. She was able to rediscover her love for ski cross through coaching privately in recent years, and is thrilled to take the next step with CVA!

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Carrabassett Valley Academy

3197 Carrabassett Drive
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
(207) 237-2250

Carrabassett Valley Academy prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any member or group based upon age, gender, race, color, religion, disability, categories sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic predisposition, ancestry or other categories protected by Maine or federal law. CVA does not discriminate on these bases in the administration of its admission process, scholarship and aid programs, educational policies, athletics, or other school-administered programs.