| The Burke Mountain Academy System: A Process of Success |
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Consistent distinction in the athletic arena is a symptom of a healthy, vibrant community of student athletes. By prioritizing an ethos, a set of values by which to train and live, over outcomes, we are ultimately more successful in every sense of the word than if we were to simply focus on athletic dominance. Though we all strive for success in the traditional meaning of the word, the extrinsic reward, the outcome, is at best secondary to the process of daily life at BMA.
At BMA we value determination, leadership, community, and tradition. We pride ourselves on being a community of leaders both in the athletic arena and in academic and community life. Burkies are paradoxically fiercely independent and collectively united. We are a community of unique and talented individuals who together take on a common personality.
BMA is above all else a ski racing academy. Training for and competing in ski racing are at the core of everything we do athletically. Our training is rigorous and our expectations of ourselves and each other are high. Being small and highly selective affords our student-athletes many opportunities not available at larger, more diversely focused schools. We maintain an athlete to coach ratio of less than 5:1. Our coaching staff is highly experienced with many coaches who have coached and/or competed at the World Cup and Olympic levels.
Athletic Facilities
Our alpine skiers train on the mountain in our backyard. Our private training slope is serviced by a dedicated high speed poma lift. We train and race on two trails that are homologated by the FIS for racing in SL, GS, and Super G. Our slopes are unparalleled for racing and are a popular training site for the US Ski Team, the Eastern Regional Team, and many of the East’s top collegiate programs. We enjoy one of the safest training environments in the East.
Our Nordic skiers benefit from great training at the nearby Burke Nordic Center. Additionally, our skiers reap the benefits of the vacant roads and abundant trails spread throughout the Northeast Kingdom.
Our Alpine Training Center is equipped with an array of strength and conditioning equipment and cutting edge technology.
A History of Athletic Excellence
BMA has an unparalleled record of success in producing National Team and top performing college ski racers. Since its inception more than 100 Burkies have gone on to qualify for the national team and more than 40 have competed in the Olympics, far more than any other program in North America. These statistics are particularly remarkable considering BMA is the smallest of the major academies and ski programs in the US, with only 839 total alumni. We choose to remain small and highly selective so as to perpetuate the rich BMA tradition of athletic excellence.
Burke Mountain Academy is not for everyone. But for those who are truly dedicated to reaching their absolute potential as ski racers there is simply no better environment available.
Adam Chadbourne - Alpine Program Director
For more information please contact achadbourne@burkemtnacademy.org
