About Us
Who Are We?
The DCWST is a parent-run, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the development of young athletes in the winter sports of alpine ski racing and snowboarding. Our group of outstanding coaches provide personalized instruction in a small group setting in order to nurture a lifelong passion for skiing or snowboarding. In addition, we focus on developing athletic, social, and emotional skills that will serve our young athletes well in competition and, just as importantly, in life.
edThe DCWST program consists the following teams:
- The Alpine Team - Open to athletes age 7 to 18 who meet the basic ability requirements. Provides training in a structured group setting that blends all mountain skiing fundamentals, drill work, USSS SkillsQuest activities, and slalom and giant slalom training. Members of the Alpine Team enjoy coaching at Wisp Resort starting in December and running through early-March (weather permitting). Alpine Team members also receive coaching during regional USSS races throughout the season, and at state level post-season events.
- The Snowboard Team - Open to athletes age 7 to 18 who meet the basic ability requirements. Provides training in a structured group setting focused on developing free-ride and freestyle skills.. Members of the Snowboard Team enjoy coaching at Wisp Resort starting in December and running through mid-March (weather permitting). Members are encouraged to participate in, and are coached at, Wisp Rail Jams and regional USASA Appalachian Series events.
- The Masters Team - Open to experienced skiers and racers age 18 and up. Provides a loosely structured mix of slalom and giant slalom gate training on challenging terrain. Members of the Masters Team prepare for and are encouraged to participate in regional non-USSS races. Members of the Masters Team enjoy training at Wisp Resort from early January through early-March (weather permitting).
History of the DCWST
It all began with a question, "Why isn't there a ski or snowboard team at Wisp?". There had been various forms of teams in the past, but in the summer of 2003 it had been quite some time since the last racing club had ceased to exist.
In the fall of '03 the roots of the Deep Creek Winter Sports Team had begun to grow and when the snow arrived in '04 the team was operational. The next several seasons were a time of growth and development, but by 2010 the team had evolved into the full program that it is today.
Over the course of the time the DCWST has proudly provided training and competition programs for hundreds of young ski and snowboard athletes and their families from all around the mid-Atlantic region. In doing so it has made a tradition out of passing along our passion for skiing and snowboarding.
For more information about the history and traditions of the team, check out the stories (below) of some of those who have been part of the team over the years!
DCWST Stories
Being part of the team isn't just fun, it also helps to create a foundation upon which successful and happy lives can be built. These stories, from past members and coaches, share how their DCWST experience has impacted them and has shaped who they are today!
Aryne Riley
Years with DCWST: athlete from 2006-2011, coach from 2011-2013
Accomplishments: Gov Cup Overall Winner, Wisp Cup Winner, United States Military Academy
(USMA) Ski Captain, United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) Nationals
Qualifier
Where Is He Now? Currently a Captain in the US Army, flying UH-60 Blackhawks. Successfully
convinced wife Emily that skiing is fun and looking forward to teaching daughter Etta Jo the
very same thing.
Thoughts on DCWST: "DCWST absolutely helped pave the way for a lot of my successes in life thus far! With experiences gained from the team, I was able to go to Green Mountain Valley School to train for a period of winter and attend Killington Mountain School for a season. I was able to train with the West Virginia University Ski Team when they trained at Wisp. The leadership experience gained from this team helped me understand how to coach and mentor in ways I never knew existed. A major aspect of being accepted into USMA is your leadership experience and the DCWST was certainly a chunk of that resume. It is amazing to me that friendships I made on this team like with John Wagner and Elizabeth (Formerly) Green are still people I stay in touch with to this day (almost 10 years later). I love this team and how much it has grown!
Sydney Willig
Years with DCWST: 2009 - 2021
Accomplishments: PARA U14 State Championship Qualifier and Savage Squirrel Award (2019)
Where is She Now? Playing college soccer for Geneva College and working on getting her special education and elementary degree
Thoughts on DCWST: "It has given me friendships that will last forever. It has also taught me to work hard even when I am not in practice."
Elizabeth Ware
Years with DCWST: athlete from 2004 to 2013, coach from 2015 - current
Accomplishments: Gov Cup Overall Winner, Wisp Cup Winner, PARA U12 and U14 State Championships Qualifier, NASTAR Nationals Gold Medalist, Savage Squirrel Award (2007).
Where Is She Now? I graduated with my master's from Frostburg State University and now direct the choral and band programs at the local high school! I love to practice yoga, run, go hiking, jump in the lake, and play saxophone with the community band.
Thoughts on DCWST: "The coaches and team community taught me the value of resilience and positive attitude in sports and life. Like anything, ski racing isn't something you get the hang of overnight - it is a long-term commitment and having a positive attitude makes it so much easier to embrace the challenging process. I fell in love with music and band when I was in high school, and it was a really familiar long-term commitment to getting better that helped me become the drum major at the University of Maryland. I love being able use those experiences to help students and athletes navigate the challenges of life with an "I *get to* take on this obstacle!" attitude."