A new academy focused on mountain sports and education will open south of Whitefish in January.

The RIDGE Mountain Academy combines training in adventure sports, academics and life skills. Bill O’Donnell, a professional skier and businessman, has spent the last nine months bringing his idea for RIDGE Mountain to fruition.

“The idea came from blending my passions and background to create something for the next generation of student athletes,” O’Donnell said. “Whitefish became the top of the list because I could gather the team I needed of coaches, teachers, personnel and nutritionists, along with creating a relationship with Whitefish Mountain Resort.”

O’Donnell is a professional skier and a former international freeride competitor, and previously served as director of admissions at AIM House in Boulder, Colo. His friend, professional kayaker Brad Ludden, introduced him to the Flathead last winter.

The academy is accepting applications for students ages 17 to 20 who are not yet ready to head out to college and are looking for a gap-year experience.

“If you have a connection to being active, and in sports or outside, and are motivated to train and learn, then you’re a great student athlete for us,” O’Donnell said.

Potential athletes will fall into three main categories, he said — the outdoor enthusiast looking for alternative action sports, the traditional high school athlete who doesn’t plan to play sports in college and is looking to pursue outdoor sports, and the elite ski racer or mountain bike racer who may aspire to go professional.

The academy will also integrate college-credit courses and internships with Whitefish Mountain Resort and local businesses. They will offer courses in mountain science, avalanche safety and wilderness medicine. RIDGE has partnered with the Whitefish Study Center to provide individualized tutoring for students.

RIDGE will lease space at Haymoon Resort south of Whitefish for its campus during the academic year. The 16-acre resort will provide room for the academy to expand as it reaches its goal of serving up to 50 students. For more information, visit online www.ridgeacademy.com.