The North American Championships of big mountain skiing and snowboarding wrapped up for juniors on Sunday, April 15, an International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association event commonly known as IFSA Junior NorAm Champs.

Making it to the event is hard, and takes at least four good performances at qualifying events throughout the season. This year’s IFSA Junior NorAm Champs took place at Snowbird Resort in Utah, and six Ski & Snowboard Club Vail skiers qualified.

Local standouts included 13-year-old Caroline Ungar who won the 12-to-14 age division event and finished the season ranked seventh overall in her division, and 14-year-old Sam Heller who finished the season ranked fifth overall in the 12-to-14 age division.

“There’s probably 300 to 350 kids in the 12 to 14 boys division, so it’s really competitive,” said coach Justin Holder. “For Sam to finish fifth overall is a great achievement.”

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