Athletics

Freestyle Moguls

Carrabassett Valley Academy is home to one of the most established freestyle programs in the nation. Our CVA Freestyle student-athletes are dedicated to year-round training, striving to reach their personal goals and athletic peak. Many of our athletes go on to national championships, earn invitations to U.S. Ski and Snowboard camps, and secure World Cup starts

The CVA Difference

At Carrabassett Valley Academy, rugged surroundings, a supportive community, and dedicated coaches create the perfect environment for success.

Premier Training Facilities: Sugarloaf offers the best training in the East, with an extended on-snow season, progressive terrain, and a U.S. Ski & Snowboard certified A-level Moguls Course.
Expert Coaching: Led by Nate McKenzie, with 25+ years of experience, our athletes have gone on to become Junior National Champions, X-Games competitors, and U.S. Ski Team members.
Supportive Community: CVA fosters a supportive environment, helping each student-athlete reach their full potential.

Program Philosophy

At Carrabassett Valley Academy, our Freestyle Moguls program focuses on long-term athlete development through a holistic approach. Key elements for success include:

Maximizing Time On-Snow
Mastering Fundamentals
Building Confidence in Sport and Life
Fostering a Life-Long Love of Skiing

Freestyle Moguls Progression

The Carrabassett Valley Academy Freestyle Moguls program offers ability-appropriate coaching to help each athlete achieve their goals. Our approach is based on progression, skill, and commitment.

Development Group: Competes in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Eastern Freestyle ECS A-level competitions across the Northeast, with many athletes qualifying for Junior National Championships.

FIS Group: Competes at regional, national, and international levels, with athletes often qualifying for the U.S. National Championships, FIS Nor-Am Cups, U.S. Selections, and Project Gold Camps, paving the way to World Cup starts, the U.S. Freestyle Team, and the Olympics.

Year-Round Training

At CVA, year-round training is key to athletic success. Fall and Spring terms help athletes maximize their potential while building a strong academic foundation. Off-season training includes weight and cross training at the Anti-Gravity Complex, along with airbag and water ramp sessions at top dryland venues. Pre-season travel to on-snow venues ensures athletes are competition-ready.

List of 2 members.

Nate McKenzie

Action Sports Director, Freestyle Program Manager, & Head Freestyle Moguls Coach

207-441-4759

Bio
After attending the University of Maine Farmington Ski Industries program, Nate founded the Freeski program at CVA. Over the last 25+ years, eight of his athletes have gone on to compete in the X Games, and six have been named to the U.S. Ski Team. He remains the Program Director for the longest-running Freeski program in the country.

Each year, Nate works diligently to fold in new training protocols to meet the demands of the sport and keep CVA athletes at the forefront of competition. He works closely with the coaching staff to keep them up-to-date with their training and certifications, subscribing to the belief that the knowledge of the coaching staff, and their ability to impart that knowledge to the athletes, is the backbone of the program.

He watches for new training opportunities and venues that meet CVA’s needs and facilitate a top competitive program. He also works to understand each athlete individually, focusing on detail, fundamentals, and individual goals as the foundation for any successful athlete. The stronger an athlete's fundamentals are, the more apt they are to be able to try new skills, to push themselves, and the sport, forward.

Nate says “There’s no question I truly love, and have loved this sport, right from the beginning. Every year, working with the younger athletes refuels me – I see their fresh excitement, their realization of the passion they have for the sport, it reignites my desire to help them get to their goals.”

Nate holds the following certifications: Level I U.S. Gymnastics, Level II U.S. Ski & Snowboard Moguls, Level IV U.S. Ski & Snowboard Aerials
Jesse Duncan

Freestyle Moguls Coach

207-491-7364

Bio
Jesse has been a coach at CVA since 2005. He is a certified level 200 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle coach who has coached park and pipe and is now instrumental in CVA’s Mogul program. In the off-season, Jesse works as a hunting guide and enjoys outdoor activities. He lives in New Sharon, Maine with his wife and son, Osten Duncan ’22.

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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.