Competition Team

Vision Statement:

Provide the athletes with a structured program to promote success as defined by the athlete’s competitive racing goals. To develop strong athletes with the desire to compete at high levels by honing their racing skills in accordance with the US Ski & Snowboard Sports Education Program. The early season focuses on fundamental ski techniques through structured free skiing. As the season progresses, the focus shifts to race tactics and increased exposure to gate training. Athletes are expected to compete in Eastern PA Regional Races and are eligible to be invited to PA State Championships.

All Competition Team members require a United Ski and Snowboard membership.

For an outline of the steps for USSS Registration and PARA race registration, please see the following article – Steps for USSS/PARA Registration

U10/U12

Ages 9-11 as of Dec 31st of the ski season.

This program is designed for skiers who are interested in advanced racing techniques and plan to enter United Ski & Snowboard (USSS) competitive races in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Previous race training is not required.

This Instructional Level:

Establishes a forum for teaching fundamentals
Establishes a forum for teaching basic racing skills
Racecourses are set to test a range of learned skills
Although the basic goal is to improve skills, there is still an emphasis on having fun.

Competitors at this level may not be allowed to employ specialized equipment.
Only one pair of skis may be allowed per an event’s course inspection(s) and competition
Use of speed suits may be limited or discouraged
Use of ski wax at events will be discouraged

U14

Ages 12-13 as of Dec 31st of the ski season.
This program is designed for skiers who are interested in advanced racing techniques and plan to enter United Ski & Snowboard (USSS) competitive races in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Previous race training is not required but recommended.

First competitive level in which all event types are explored
Racecourses follow the U.S. Ski & Snowboard specifications
Events at this level are timed
Results are recognized with trophies and/or medals in the same manner as in upper-level races
The emphasis continues to be on fun and improvement through the use of advanced skills.

U16

Ages 14-15 as of Dec 31st of the ski season.

This age category is the first time the athletes compete as part of scored competitions. Athletes earn United States Ski and Snowboard seed points based on previous race results and are seeded at the following races based on point rankings. Training is spent the majority in gates at higher rates of speed.

Previous race training is recommended.

U16 and over are athletes 14 and 15 years of age –
U16 is currently the first competitive level where all Divisions allow athletes to earn National
Points –
The points provide ranking the national (U.S. Ski & Snowboard) level

All racecourses follow the U.S. Ski & Snowboard specifications
The emphasis is on advancing multi-event racing skills and preparing athletes for competing in upper-level events.

Competitors may be recognized either by their overall result or their result in their specific age
group

U18 – U21

U18: Ages 16-17 as of Dec 31st of the ski season.
U21: Ages 18-20 as of Dec 31st of the ski season.

Training is spent the majority in gates at higher rates of speed and on race tactics. This age category will require racers to compete on challenging terrain and courses. Athletes compete in scored competitions across races throughout Pennsylvania (PA CUP Races).

All racecourses follow the U.S. Ski & Snowboard specifications
The emphasis is on advancing multi-event racing skills and preparing athletes for competing in upper-level events.

“Over” refers to athletes who are 16-20 years of age

Athletes who are 21 years of age or older are designated as “Senior”

Competitors may be recognized either by their overall result or their result in their specific age
group

FIS-Level Racing (Not frequent in PA Racing)

Athletes 16 years of age and older as of December 31 of the current competition season may choose to register (inscribe) as a FIS athlete. This is an additional “license” to race.
FIS-inscribed athletes compete at international (FIS) level events
FIS-inscribed athletes who successfully compete at FIS-level events earn FIS Points
FIS events are seeded with earned FIS Points
FIS events are set according to the level of competition as well as the ability of the field
FIS racecourses follow FIS course setting specifications

Vision Statement:

Where to Find Equipment

Equipment Information

Equipment Tuning