skip navigation

Devo Freestyle

What is Devo Freestyle?

Devo (short for development) Freestyle is a developmental program which teaches the fundamentals for all PCSS Freestyle (Aerials and Moguls) and Freeski (Park & Pipe and Big Mountain) programs.  Athletes in the Devo Freestyle program will focus on basic to advanced freestyle elements, including box/rail sliding, skiing moguls, jumping and landing as well as becoming an overall stronger skier. Athletes will learn how to apply these fundamentals to the terrain park, halfpipe, moguls, aerials, and big mountain.  

Though this program does not teach fundamental skiing skills from scratch (i.e. ski school), we will continue to refine these skills throughout the season as applicable.

Participants will develop skills from all disciplines in a fun, safe and inclusive atmosphere at the Utah Olympic Park (UOP), Park City Mountain, and Woodward Park City (Devo Comp Team only). Athletes will also have the opportunity to participate in fun events designed to introduce them to competition.

Our Purpose

Our goal is to enable young athletes to have fun skiing and kindle a lifelong passion for the sport. We strive to help them develop friendships and positive relationships with teammates and coaches. We will develop core freestyle skiing skills, and enable athletes to find their passion by exposing them early to a variety of disciplines, including moguls, aerials, big mountain, slopestyle and halfpipe.

Devo Freestyle Programs


devo freestyle Coaching Staff

James Saarela

Freestyle/Freeski Development Head Coach

I've lived and skied in Park City my whole life. My competitive career started in Moguls, before shifting more toward Freeski disciplines. I trained with (what's now known as) PCSS, competing at national-level events in Halfpipe and Slopestyle. I retired from competition and went to the University of Utah, graduating in 2016. I started coaching at the UOP that summer, and have been working with PCSS (or its component pre-merger teams) ever since.