ARC bursts out of the starting gate as Park City’s newest elite, youth, alpine option

Alpine Racing Collective athlete. Photo: courtesy of ARC

PARK CITY, Utah — The next time an eight-year-old passes you on the ski hill, they just might be a racer with the Alpine Racing Collective (ARC), a new option elite youth families can join among the admittedly already crowded landscape of Park City sports. 

Parkites used to certain club-color parkas to the left and right on podiums are becoming more accustomed to green ARC jackets standing up there these days.

Founder Chris Probert told TownLift, “Alpine Racing Collective was created to provide a high-performance, athlete-centered alternative.”

After just one full season as an official U.S. Ski & Snowboard club, ARC has been officially recognized with a national industry distinction of  high standards.

“The idea is simple: just like in the classroom, kids thrive when they feel safe, challenged, and understood. ARC is proud to be a high-quality, proven option for families who are looking for that kind of environment—one where the focus is on intentional coaching, character development, and measurable progress, both on and off the hill,” Probert said.

ARC keeps an exceptionally small 6:1 athlete-to-coach ratio. Every coach is U.S. Ski & Snowboard certified, and the club invests heavily in internal coach development, ensuring consistent communication and aligned philosophies across the team.

Training is held at Utah Olympic Park and Woodward Park City, with athletes also doing fun, family-focused free skiing days across local resorts. ARC is currently in discussions with several ski areas to establish a more permanent “home mountain” for expanded training opportunities and organized freeski days.

Probert lists his experience as a four-year NCAA Division I athlete who stayed active in the sport through Masters racing. Back when he was the ages that ARC skiers are, he learned to ski on the East Coast.

He and his wife, who was born and raised in Park City, relocated here from Tahoe, CA, have three children ages 19, 10, and seven.  The teenager, a graduate of the Winter Sports School, came up through Summit Ski Team and Park City Ski & Snowboard before heading to college in Canada. Their U12-year-old skis on ARC and also plays soccer and mountain bikes, and their seven year old, who was adopted at age four, is already keeping up with the youngest ARC athletes out on the hill. 

“Young athletes spend countless hours with their coaches and teammates across long winter days and seasonal travel. These are the people helping shape their outlook on sport, self-worth, and what it means to work hard for a goal. Because of that, finding a team culture that aligns with a family’s values isn’t just important, it’s essential,” Probert said.

ARC only has 25 athletes across the U8, U10, and U12 age categories.

Here’s a summary of the club’s results:

• 7 ARC athletes placed in the overall podium (top 5) at the Intermountain Division (IMD) Championships—an invite-only event for the top 100 racers from Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
• Across the IMD Champs and South Series:
  • U10: 5 wins (Zoe Shepherd), plus a 3rd and 5th (Evy Bridgman)
  • U12: 4 wins, 4 thirds, 2 fourths, and 3 fifths
  • 27 top-five finishes at IMD Champs—from only 8 ARC athletes!
• In the YSL league (U8–U12 entry level), ARC racked up 24 top-ten finishes, with awards given to the top 10.

Three ARC athletes were brand new to both the community and the sport, yet qualified for IMD Champs in their first year.

They also have a small U14 and U16 presence this year that they are expanding next year.