A new freestyle snowboard team will join the ranks of the Winter Sports Foundation programs in Durango this winter.

The freestyle snowboard competitive team will add to the current offerings in freestyle skiing, alpine ski racing and cross country skiing.

The Purgatory-based youth program will be open to ages 7 to 14.

“The Purgatory Snowboard Team is a natural developmental step for young snowboarders who have gone through the Snowburners or All-Terrain Pioneers programs,” said Cody Beaver, co-director and co-head coach.

“And it’s for advanced snowboarders who are interested in competition and looking to improve,” said Beaver, a Purgatory snowboarding instructor since 2002.

They will concentrate on slopestyle and halfpipe competition, he said.

Beaver, who grew up in Dolores, was on skis as a youngster until age 12.

“Then I switched over to snowboarding, and I’ve never looked back,” he said.

Co-dirctor/head coach Brian Bolan enjoys a similar long-term snowboarding background.

He’s also a snowboarding instructor at Purgatory.

The new team will offer a freestyle program with a goal of preparing the snowboarders to compete in local, regional and national competitions, Beaver said.

“The focus will be on creating a fun environment with structured training ... to prepare athletes to become accomplished all-around snowboarders, Beaver said.

He said they will teach basic-to-advanced freeride skills along with aerials and terrain park boarding.

There will be an emphasis on safety and ‘park etiquette’ as athletes learn to use the features of the terrain park, Beaver said.

“I think we are as excited about the program as the kids,” Beaver said.

Terrain park changes this summer at Purgatory will fit right into the new team’s program, he said.

With Durango Mountain Resort performing on-mountain dirt work to create an inset halfpipe and jump features, the resort likely will be able to open the terrain park earlier because less snowmaking (and less snow) will be required to create an above-ground halfpipe, he said.

The earlier opening of the terrain park will offer a longer season for the snowboarders in terms of training and competiton, Beaver said.

Some scholarships will be available through the Durango Winter Sports Foundation.

The Purgatory Snowboard Team information is scheduled to be added to the Durango Winter Sports Foundation website in the near future.

For more, e-mail purgatory snowboardteam@gmail.com.

dstrode@durangoherald.com