Team AVSC News
U18 Nationals Championships Wrap Up on Aspen Highlands
March 3, 2025
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
U18 Nationals Championships Wrap Up on Aspen Highlands
AVSC U18 athlete Fletcher Hutto Crowned Triple National Champion
ASPEN, COLORADO--March 3, 2025
Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club hosted U18 U.S. National Alpine Skiing Championships at Aspen Highlands February 25 through March 3, gathering more than 100 of the best U18 alpine athletes in the country for seven days of world-class racing in near-perfect conditions.
“We had 10 cloudless days and the surface was out of this world,” says AVSC Alpine Program Director Jeff Lackie. “Very few places in North America can host an event this time of year and have that consistency in snow and weather.”
After five weeks recovering from a shoulder injury, AVSC athlete Fletcher Hutto made a dramatic comeback, winning three of the four men’s races (Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom) and securing the overall U18 National Champion title.
“Doing this at home…it’s really special,” says Hutto. “It’s everything I’ve worked for. It really shows how much AVSC has helped me get here.
AVSC athlete Luka Smalls took third in Super G, fifth in Downhill, 14th in Giant Slalom and fifth in the Men’s Overall. Teammate Parker Kendrick placed fourth in Giant Slalom. AVSC’s top female contender, Devon Phillips, was unable to compete due to injury.
AVSC Lead FIS Men’s coach Jack Kirby worked with Hutto, Smalls and Kendrick as U16s and says he’s enjoyed watching them grow as individuals and as a team. “They are really good kids,” says Kirby. “They hang out together, support each other and just have this incredible camaraderie, while pushing each other to be better. We’re all excited for these athletes, the ski club and for everyone to see what we’re doing here.”
Coaches from around the country–from Pat Duran at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail to Tony Olin of Minnesota’s Team Afton–praised AVSC and its venue manager Cody Oates for preparing the Stapleton Training Center on Aspen Highlands to World Cup quality–a surface so perfect, it ensured fair competition for all competitors through the field. “We groomed slowly, let it sit prior to the first day of Downhill training and slipped through the series,” says Oates. “We really benefited from having the best snowcat operator anywhere (Erin McDuffy), a long-range plan and a fortunate freeze-thaw cycle.”
“Ultimately, we produced a hill that was age appropriate, but still challenged athletes–national championships shouldn’t be a cake walk,” says Lackie. “Recognizing this is a development-level race, we offered athletes the opportunity to train on the venue leading up to the competition.”
“None of it would have been possible without Aspen Skiing Company,” says Lackie. “Their support over the years and this week have really made the difference. We wouldn’t have had training as wide as it was or the ability to go for so many days without grooming. Other resorts tend to meddle–we have the autonomy to create the best possible race surface.”
In fact, Aspen Skiing Company CEO Geoff Buchheister spent time on the venue every race day, and celebrated Hutto’s triple win at the finish.
The fan-friendly weather created a festive atmosphere at the finish area, where parents from around the U.S. cheered on their U18 athletes, including Olympian Tommy Moe. Lackie says only halfway down the course, you could hear spectators and teammates cheering from the finish. “That’s testament to the level of support and camaraderie experienced out there.”
“Ski racing has a storied legacy here in Aspen–it’s part of our ethos and culture,” says Lackie. “We are just as proud to host U18 Nationals as we are to host a World Cup. These athletes will represent America at World Cup and Olympic races. We need to put on an exceptionally high-level series to support their development.”
For full results, click here.
About the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club
Founded in 1937, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club is the Roaring Fork Valley’s oldest and largest youth non-profit. AVSC offers more than 40 programs for local youth, from recreational skiers as young as 3.5 years old to competitive skiers and snowboarders competing at World Cup and Olympic events. Through honoring its core values of commitment, teamwork and integrity, AVSC promotes a community of passion, grit, and mountain culture. With the support of community partners, like the Britt family and Aspen Snowmass, AVSC can work to achieve its mission of providing all youth in the greater Roaring Fork Valley, regardless of their financial circumstances, the opportunity to excel as athletes and as people through winter sports.
U18 Nationals Championships Wrap Up on Aspen Highlands
AVSC U18 athlete Fletcher Hutto Crowned Triple National Champion
ASPEN, COLORADO--March 3, 2025
Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club hosted U18 U.S. National Alpine Skiing Championships at Aspen Highlands February 25 through March 3, gathering more than 100 of the best U18 alpine athletes in the country for seven days of world-class racing in near-perfect conditions.
“We had 10 cloudless days and the surface was out of this world,” says AVSC Alpine Program Director Jeff Lackie. “Very few places in North America can host an event this time of year and have that consistency in snow and weather.”
After five weeks recovering from a shoulder injury, AVSC athlete Fletcher Hutto made a dramatic comeback, winning three of the four men’s races (Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom) and securing the overall U18 National Champion title.
“Doing this at home…it’s really special,” says Hutto. “It’s everything I’ve worked for. It really shows how much AVSC has helped me get here.
AVSC athlete Luka Smalls took third in Super G, fifth in Downhill, 14th in Giant Slalom and fifth in the Men’s Overall. Teammate Parker Kendrick placed fourth in Giant Slalom. AVSC’s top female contender, Devon Phillips, was unable to compete due to injury.
AVSC Lead FIS Men’s coach Jack Kirby worked with Hutto, Smalls and Kendrick as U16s and says he’s enjoyed watching them grow as individuals and as a team. “They are really good kids,” says Kirby. “They hang out together, support each other and just have this incredible camaraderie, while pushing each other to be better. We’re all excited for these athletes, the ski club and for everyone to see what we’re doing here.”
Coaches from around the country–from Pat Duran at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail to Tony Olin of Minnesota’s Team Afton–praised AVSC and its venue manager Cody Oates for preparing the Stapleton Training Center on Aspen Highlands to World Cup quality–a surface so perfect, it ensured fair competition for all competitors through the field. “We groomed slowly, let it sit prior to the first day of Downhill training and slipped through the series,” says Oates. “We really benefited from having the best snowcat operator anywhere (Erin McDuffy), a long-range plan and a fortunate freeze-thaw cycle.”
“Ultimately, we produced a hill that was age appropriate, but still challenged athletes–national championships shouldn’t be a cake walk,” says Lackie. “Recognizing this is a development-level race, we offered athletes the opportunity to train on the venue leading up to the competition.”
“None of it would have been possible without Aspen Skiing Company,” says Lackie. “Their support over the years and this week have really made the difference. We wouldn’t have had training as wide as it was or the ability to go for so many days without grooming. Other resorts tend to meddle–we have the autonomy to create the best possible race surface.”
In fact, Aspen Skiing Company CEO Geoff Buchheister spent time on the venue every race day, and celebrated Hutto’s triple win at the finish.
The fan-friendly weather created a festive atmosphere at the finish area, where parents from around the U.S. cheered on their U18 athletes, including Olympian Tommy Moe. Lackie says only halfway down the course, you could hear spectators and teammates cheering from the finish. “That’s testament to the level of support and camaraderie experienced out there.”
“Ski racing has a storied legacy here in Aspen–it’s part of our ethos and culture,” says Lackie. “We are just as proud to host U18 Nationals as we are to host a World Cup. These athletes will represent America at World Cup and Olympic races. We need to put on an exceptionally high-level series to support their development.”
For full results, click here.
About the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club
Founded in 1937, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club is the Roaring Fork Valley’s oldest and largest youth non-profit. AVSC offers more than 40 programs for local youth, from recreational skiers as young as 3.5 years old to competitive skiers and snowboarders competing at World Cup and Olympic events. Through honoring its core values of commitment, teamwork and integrity, AVSC promotes a community of passion, grit, and mountain culture. With the support of community partners, like the Britt family and Aspen Snowmass, AVSC can work to achieve its mission of providing all youth in the greater Roaring Fork Valley, regardless of their financial circumstances, the opportunity to excel as athletes and as people through winter sports.