U8 – U12 Non-Scored Programs

Register by October 15, and the fees are divided into 3 payments.

Fees cover the following:

1. Coaches at practices and race weekends.
2. Travel expenses for coaches on race weekends.
3. Equipment: there is various expenses from gates, to radio's to net, etc.
4. Licenses and training for coaches.
5. Lane fee's
6. Professional services for team
7. Insurance

All athletes must also obtain a USSA Competitor membership at https://my.ussa.org/membership/start

While you are completing your USSA membership you will also at the same time be paying for your Central Region and Region 1.

Go here to see all the membership levels and learn more:

Member Materials_Alpine_Print

Athletes need to purchase a season pass at their primary training facility. Pass prices are not included in program fees and must be purchased directly through the ski hill facility. Purchase early for best pricing.

If your athlete(s) plan to train at one of the other locations frequently, you may want to consider an additional season pass.

Race expenses consist of:

• Race ski tuning prior to event
• Per day/race entry fee based on age group (fee must be paid by Wednesday at midnight week of race venue, unless otherwise announced)
• Per day Lift ticket price set by ski area
• Lodging, meals & transportation for race weekend events dependent on location

The following are recommendations of the basic equipment athletes should have by age group.

Some athletes have 2 pairs of each kind of ski. One for training and one for racing. This is a family preference and decision only you can make. If you have questions we can provide you our opinion.

Also note, we are showing the base equipment needs by age level, we do not make recommendations on things that are not mandatory such as race suits and other equipment.

U8-U10

Skis: 1 pair of skis is sufficient for this group. Head height with a variation based on height, weight, and skill level. Introduce ski preparation.

Boots: Proper boot fit with soft forward flex for ankle movement to facilitate a balanced athletic stance.

Protection: Helmet required. Older athletes may need shin/arm protection

Poles: Standard length = forearm horizontal with pole tip in snow

U12

Skis: 1 pair Slalom, GS. Develop tuning skills.

Also note the following: Starting in the 2019-2020 race season, for U12 and under age groups, competitors are ONLY allowed to use one pair of skis per race (inspections & competition).  Click here for more info go here.

Boots: Proper boot fit and flex are critical for performance. Boots facilitate interaction with the ski.

Protection: Head, arm, hand, shoulder, teeth (mouth guard) and shin protection recommended based on event.

Poles: GS-standard length. SL-pole guard for blocking and protection, pole may be slightly shorter.

U14-U19

Skis: Slalom and GS skis. Refine turning skills.

Super-G skis are optional if you plan to attend any special speed training camps/qualifies like Indian Head and/or make it to Rocky/Central Championships. However, it is optional to do the speed events as well or many athletes borrower skis from others.

Boots: Proper boot fit and flex are critical for performance. Boots facilitate interaction with the ski. Performance considerations may include flex, cant, forward lean, ramp angle, and foot beds.

Protection: Head, arm, hand, shoulder, teeth (mouth guard) and shin protection recommended based on event.

Poles: GS-standard length. SL-pole guard for blocking and protection, pole may be slightly shorter

FIS

Skis: FIS rule requirement Race and training skis for all disciplines. Professional support or consultation is recommended for preparation

Boots: Discipline specific boots may be necessary to maximize performance

Protection: Head, arm, hand, shoulder, back, teeth (mouth guard) and shin protection recommended based on event

Poles: GS-standard length. SL-pole guard for blocking and protection, pole may be slightly shorter. Custom pole sizing and contouring for individuals

Ski racing in the United States uses two points lists to rank athletes:

USSA points ranks athletes nationally, and FIS points rank them internationally.

Points are used to score races, rank competitors and establish start orders.  As there is no standard racecourse, a formula is used to calculate the points by relating a racer’s time to the winner’s time.  The winner is given 0.00 race points, and then a penalty is calculated and added to each racer’s points to produce the racer’s results.  This penalty is based on the points of the best competitors in the field, and the difference in time between the winner and the other competitors.  This procedure allows the scoring of different races on different slopes and different days, each with different levels of competition to be based on a common scale.

The average of a racer’s best two results in each scored discipline will be the points posted to the USSA or FIS list, which are updated several times throughout the season.  In both cases, lower points reflect better performance.  These lists are used by race organizers to establish the start order for races, and for coaches to make selections to teams and certain events.

USSA Points

Athletes who compete in scored USSA events will earn USSA points.  Scored races begin for athletes aged 13 and up.  Non-scored USSA races do not earn USSA points. The USSA and FIS points systems are based on the same formula for scoring, however due to different dates of publication and a couple of other factors, a racer’s USSA and FIS point profile may differ somewhat. USSA points are used to qualify into regional championship events and other elite races with limited quota access, and they enable athletes to compare their performance to racers across the country.

FIS

Racers may register with the FIS and participate in FIS races in the year they turn 16. FIS racing is a progression from USSA racing, and your racer’s coach will help decide when it is appropriate to participate at this level.

Please refer to the Alpine Competition Guide in the Resources section of the Parents’ Page for more detailed information on Points and the Points Lists.