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Links
www.ussa-imd.org Intermountain Division news, results, and schedules
www.ussa.org  United States Ski Association - membership renewals & information
www.fis-ski.com International Ski Federation - FIS results, points, rankings 

Program Specifics
FIS Team:  For Alpine racers 18 and older who have been invited by the coaches to ski at the FIS (international) racing level.  They will travel anywhere.  Year round training and travel program.  Locker room and waxing facilities provided.

J1-J2 IMD Team:  For Alpine racers 15 to 18 who will race in the Intermountain Division and Western Region, as well as FIS races for which they qualify.  Athletes travel in vans with the team and coaches to competitions.  Winter training Tuesday through Sunday.  Year round conditioning program and summer camp training opportunities.  Locker room and waxing facilities provided.

J3 IMD Team:  For 13-14 year old Alpine Racers by invitation, who show desire and passion for this sport.  The J3 Team is the first year round team and the travel/training commitment is significantly greater than C Travel Team.  They will travel within the Intermountain Division (ID, UT, WY), and Western Region when applicable, in vans with the team and coaches, or with parents.  Winter training Tuesday through Sunday.  Year round conditioning program and summer camp training opportunities.   Locker room and waxing facilities provided.

C Travel Team:  For first year J3, and all J4 racers.  This team provides an introduction to travel.  Athletes will travel with parents.  Athletes compete in the Northern Region of the Intermountain Division.  They will travel to Boise, McCall, Idaho Falls, Jackson Hole and Snowbasin. Winter training Wednesday through Sunday.  Dryland training in the fall (October).  Locker room cubbies provided.

C Home Team:  This team provides an introduction to ski racing.  They will compete in local races only (including Baldy, Soldier Mountain, Rotarun and Dollar Mountain).  This team is primarily for 4th and 5th graders.  Training on Wednesday afternoons and weekends.  Dryland training in the fall (October).  Locker room cubbies provided.

D Team:  This team is where you learn to love to ski and develop basic ski racing technique.  For 2nd and 3rd graders who are “Baldy Proof”.  Skiing on weekends only with some school holidays included.  New applicants will be evaluated for skiing ability in late November or early December in order to participate with the team.  Dryland training in the fall (late October-early Nov).  No locker room provided.

Alpine Glossary of Terms and Information
J Class:  Your J (Junior) Class is the age group that you compete with.  Each J class covers 2 years (except for J1’s).  It is determined by the year you were born.  Alpine J classes are as follows:
    J1 – ages 17-19 (born in 1991- 1993)
    J2 – ages 15-16 (born in 1994 and 1995)
    J3 – ages 13-14 (born in 1996 and 1997)
    J4 – ages 11-12 (born in 1998 and 1999)
    J5 – ages 9-10 (born in 2000 and 2001)
    J6 – ages 8 and under (born in 2002-2003 (J6’s participate in races as a J5)

Alpine Disciplines
Slalom(SL): A slalom course is the shortest in distance, but contains the greatest number of turns.  Turns are short, quick and continuous.  Slalom is considered a technical event, as opposed to a speed event.
Giant Slalom (GS):  The Giant Slalom is the most fundamental alpine event.  Most young racers will start with Giant Slalom races.  Gates are placed at a maximum of 28 meters and a minimum of 12 meters apart.  GS is also considered a technical event.
Super Giant Slalom (Super G):  Super G is the bridge between Giant Slalom and Downhill, and is considered a speed event.  Athletes compete in Super G starting at the J4 level.
Downhill (DH):  Downhill is the fastest of the 4 alpine disciplines.  Athletes compete in Downhill starting at the J3 level. 

Equipment: All four disciplines require a different set of skis.  As athletes get older, the more specific their equipment becomes.  Equipment requirements are as follows:
    D Team – 1 pair of all mountain skis
    C- Home – 1 to 2 pairs of skis targeting GS and Slalom
    C Travel – 2 to 3 pairs of skis, specifically Slalom and Gs Skis. 
    J3 – 2-4 pairs of skis, specifically slalom, GS and Super G, one pair for training, one for racing.
    J1-J2 – 4+ pairs of skis, two for each discipline, one race, one training.

Equipment Leasing and Pro Nights:  For the younger athlete, most of the local ski shops offer leasing programs for the season.  For the older, competitive athlete, it is very beneficial to attend the “Pro Night” specifically for ski team at the shops to be able to order new equipment at discounted prices directly from the company reps.  We will send out announcements as to when these events are coming up, as well as who is eligible to attend.

Equipment Maintenance:  When athletes reach the J3 level, they learn how to and become responsible for tuning and maintaining all equipment.  For the C Travel Team and younger, parents should maintain equipment and have skis tuned before every race at a minimum.
   
USSA: The United States Ski and Snowboard Association.  The governing body for the sport of skiing in the US.  It comprises three regions (Western, Eastern and Rocky Central).  All SVSEF athletes must be a member of USSA and purchase either a youth or appropriate competitor’s license.

Western Region:  Intermountain is one of five divisions that make up the greater Western Region.  These include Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA), Far West (California), Northern Division (Montana) and Alaska.

Intermountain Division (IMD):  We are a part of the Intermountain Division which consists of clubs in the states of Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

FIS:  FIS is the International Federation of Skiing.  FIS represents the international ranking system versus USSA’s national ranking system.  FIS races are open to international competitors.  Athletes must be 15 and have a FIS license in order to race in a FIS Race.  Athletes will be advised when they are eligible and when they need to purchase the license.

Points Lists:  Once you have a competitive USSA license (J3 and older), you will have access to the Points List, which is broken down by discipline (Slalom, GS, Super G and DH).  Your points will be tabulated by USSA and your standing on the points list will both qualify you for certain competitions including Junior Olympics, Junior Nationals, etc.  and determine your starting order.  It’s like golf – the lower the points the better.

Nastar:  NASTAR stands for National Standard Race. A large recreational ski and snowboard race series offered by many ski resorts. Our younger racers – D Team and C Home Team – will have the opportunity to race in NASTAR races.  They must be registered (free) with NASTAR at www.nastar.com.

North/South Series:  The Intermountain Division is divided into 2 geographical components – North and South.  Sun Valley is part of the North region, which includes Bogus Basin, Jackson, WY, McCall, Kelly Canyon, ID, and Soldier Mountain.  J4 athletes (C Travel Team) compete in mostly North Series races with a few North/South combined championship races.

Junior Olympics:  A J3 Western Region Championship event.  Athletes qualify through an Intermountain Division Qualification Series of races.

J2 Nationals: A J2 class National Event.  Invitations to compete are based on a Western Region J2 Qualification Series.

Western Junior Champs: A J1-J2 class Western Region Championship Event in all disciplines.  Qualification is based on an Intermountain Division Race Series. 

Western FIS Finals:  A J1-J2 class Western Region Championship Event in the technical disciplines.  Qualification is based on an Intermountain Division Race Series.