With the completion of week 2 of our regular season, we have all had the chance to experience many course sets and a lot of different conditions. With warmer weather, the lack of a good freeze overnight and variable hill use, sometimes it becomes a little more difficult for course setters to set courses that appeal to all racers. They try their best to set according to the conditions to make a safe, enjoyable course. Sometimes if conditions aren’t so good, a course may have to be a little “straighter”. Sometimes if conditions are real good, the course may have a little more offset. We encourage our course setters to set for the intermediate skier. Sometimes a rut is hidden prior to the start of the race, or snow conditions are worse than first thought which may cause some difficulty and more DNFs than we would hope. It’s just something that comes with the territory.
Please keep in mind that all our race crews are doing the best they can and our main goal is for a fun, safe experience. We feel bad when a race doesn’t go as well as we would hope.
Some questions have come up regarding the jumps on the race hill at Buck Hill. We have been in communication with the race department on how to make the racer experience the best it can be with the jumps in place. There is no plan right now to remove the jumps for this year. The race department is communicating with the groomers to try and get the sides of the jumps groomed down a bit to allow for more room for setting and less of a pinch at the bottom – especially on the blue side. They are also looking at possible B-netting around the finish timing equipment island. With the colder weather this week, we have already seen an improvement in the conditions which allows for less wear on the race run which translates to a more enjoyable racing experience.
Buck Hill has moved the bumps to a different location to allow for more carving and warm up on Cross Roads.
With 12 races per week and more than 900 participants racing per week, there are bound to be courses and conditions that appeal more to some than others from week to week. We appreciate all your patience and understanding.
Padraig’s Place needs your help! As most of you know, Padraig’s Place is an amazing Adaptive Ski and Snowboard program and Buck Hill and now Wild Mountain. Their mission is to “enrich the lives of special needs children and their families by presenting available resources to them; thereby, allowing the family to focus on family rather than a disability.” As the organization continues to expand, so does their need for volunteers. Padraig’s Place is asking for volunteers at Buck Hill on Saturday mornings and Monday nights as well as at Wild Mountain on Sunday evenings. These volunteers would provide help and support to the instructors.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, but you are hesitant because you don’t have any teaching experience, fear not! As long as you’re proficient on skis, you would be a great help. If you’re interested, please contact Brian Foley or Annie Peterson. Annie can be reached at [email protected] or 612.965.1785. You can also submit your contact information and get more info at www.padraigsplace.org.
Marcus Caston is coming to visit us at Week 2 to film a segment for his series “Return of the Turn”!
“Return of the Turn” is Marcus Caston’s way of showing the world that “actual skiing” is certainly not dead. In a world of crazy tricks and jaw-dropping descents, Marcus wants to bring us all back to the roots of what makes skiing great. “Return of the Turn” is a video series that follows Marcus and his crew all over the world showing everyone what good ol’ classic skiing looks like. These episodes are different from every other ski movie out there. They ski on any type of snow, any type of terrain, any type of mountain (or hill!) and love every minute of it.
Marcus grew up in Snowbird where he got into ski racing. He went to school in Salt Lake City and skied for fun. Then he got a call from Ted Ligety. There was an open spot in a Warren Miller movie. He jumped at the chance. Since then he has been on the cover of and had spreads in numerous print magazines and has been a featured athlete in four Warren Miller films. According to his website, he is a “professional skier and content creator promoting an appreciation for the art of skiing through creative expression and athletic performance.” We like it!
Marcus will be in town January 15 – 20th racing with us as much as possible and shooting some footage for his “Return of the Turn” series at both Buck Hill and Wild Mountain. We are super excited to have Marcus here with us again and we are so happy to be a part of his efforts to share the sport we all love so much. Welcome, Marcus!
Whether you are new to Ski Challenge, or back for another season, you need to arrive a little earlier for the first race of the season. Prior to racing, check in at the registration table in the designated room. At Buck Hill we meet in the Black Diamond Event Center above the ski school At Wild Mountain our Sunday League registration table will be set up in the Robert C room next to the Eagle’s Nest Bar and Grill. Fridays and Wednesday nights at Wild we will be set up in the Eagle’s Newst Bar and Grill.
At the check in table you check in by your last name, not your team. The Ski Challenge staff will check to see if you have filled out a liability form. If not, you will need to fill one out. You are required to sign the form and verify that you have paid before you can get your racing uniform/bib and T-shirt. If you are under 18 and your parents will not be with your at the first race, you must have an online waiver completed by a parent before you can participate. No one will be allowed to race in any race without a signed liability form. If you have not already registered and/or filled out a waiver Go here to fill out a liability form.
You will only need to check in once. The same bib you were issued at this check in is the one you will use the entire season.
A handicap represents the percentage your time is behind a par time or National Standard Par, in this case a time that Ryan Cochran-Siegle would have gotten on the course. (e.g. 15 handicap = 15 percent behind Ryan’s time). The National Standard is the Par Time or Ryan Cochran-Siegle’s “0” handicap which every racer competes against when they race NASTAR.
Pacesetters earn certified handicaps that are used to set Ryan Cochran-Siegle’s Par Time for their course. Participants earn a handicap each time they race which represents the difference between the racer’s time and the Par Time expressed as a percentage. Your handicap can vary from race to race.
Does a handicap change or get better with your age and gender?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! A handicap is a straight percentage. It’s math. We take your time and compare it to the par time. Then we determine what percent slower your time is compared to the par time. So, the person in the race with the lowest time has the lowest handicap in a given run. Age and gender DO NOT change straight times or handicaps!
What does age and gender do to affect scoring?
Once a handicap is determined, we then take that handicap and look at your age and gender to determine what medal you earn. This is where age and gender make a difference. As you get older (or if you are very young) you can have a higher handicap to receive medals. If you’re a female, you can receive a medal using a higher handicap than a male would need to receive the same medal.
Ken Stover died on June 3, 2020 after being struck by a car while crossing Central Ave in Columbia Heights. Ken was a long time member on “Heading Downhill Fast” team on Buck Hill Monday nights. He will be greatly missed.
We’re sad to report the passing of long time Ski Challenge member Tom Lang. Tom died Monday, May 4, 2020 in a boating accident on Lake Minnetonka, Hennepin County, MN while fishing with a friend. The two men were thrown from their boat due to rough waters.
Tom raced many years at Buck Hill with “Heading Downhill” on Mondays and “Grand Finale” on Wednesday afternoons. Tom worked on the Buck Hill Sunday AM Race Crew and also helped out with various race groups and was on the Ski Patrol at Buck Hill.
We remember long time Ski Challenge member Larry Wogensen who passed away April 28, 2020. Larry last participated at Wild Mountain on “Samurai Squad” on Wednesdays and “Cruzin Thru” on the Sunday Day league. Richard, his brother, races at Wild Mountain and works for Ski Challenge. His sister, Kim Riesgraf, races at Wild Mountain.
It is with great sadness that we remember the passing of Jack Parcheta (78) of Stillwater MN, on April 7, 2019. Jack was vacationing in Steamboat Springs, CO when he suffered a massive stroke. Jack was a long time Ski Challenge racer at Wild Mountain.
It saddens us to report the passing of Wood y Jewett. Woody raced with the “Piste Off” team on Wednesday afternoons at Buck Hill. Woody passed away on March 25, 2019. He was doing what he loved, skiing. Woody passed away while riding a chairlift at Sun Valley in Idaho.
We are so sad to report the passing of our good friend and Ski Challenge racer Brian Bebler on Thursday, October 4, 2018. Brian has participated for many years on “The Chinese Downhill” team on Wednesday nights at Buck Hill. Brian also designed many of our T-shirts as well as our newest Ski Challenge Logo. His creativity, kindness and friendship will be greatly missed. Please follow this link for more information:
It saddens us to report the passing of Will Zogg, long time Ski Challenge racer. Willi passed away on July 27, 2017.
Memorial service 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 with visitation 1 hour prior at Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church, 7600 Harold Ave., Golden Valley. Memorials to family for the purchase of a bench in Westwood Hill Nature Preserve. WasburnMcReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996
March 2, 2016 – We are sadden by the passing of our friend and teammate, Bill Cavanah this past weekend. Bill participated with The Karma Terrain on Wednesday afternoons at Buck Hill. Funeral 2 PM Friday at the Church of St. Olaf, 215 S. 8th St., Mpls. Visitation Thursday 5-8 PM with Sharing of Memories 7-7:30 PM at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel, 15800 37th Ave N. @ Vicksburg Lane and Friday at St. Olaf one hour before service.
Donations preferred to the Cavanagh Children’s Donation Account. Gearty-Delmore 763-553-1411 gearty-delmore.com
Longtime ski racer, John “Jack” Miller, age 81, of the team The Grand Finale, passed away December 26, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was very active in his community as a member of Rotary and Kiwanis. He was also an avid outdoors-man enjoying duck hunting and fishing and loved to share his passion with family and friends. John had a lifelong passion for downhill skiing and joined The Ski Challenge in his early 70’s, eventually winning a national gold medal for NASTAR ski racing in Winter Park, Colorado.
A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, January 24th, 2016 at Bayview Event Center on Lake Minnetonka, 687 Excelsior Blvd, Excelsior, MN 55331. Visitation will start at 11:30. Service will be held from 1:00-2:00 followed by a luncheon.
Roy Hagen
One of our beloved racers, Roy Hagen, passed away on January 3, 2016 around 5:00pm with his family all around him.
Visitation and Funeral Service will be on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 715 Minnetonka Mills Rd, Hopkins, MN 55343.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 am, the Service at 11:00 am with lunch afterwards. Burial is at Fort Snelling at 1:45.
Roy was a long time Wild Mountain Ski Challenge Racer.
Thomas Mark Casey
Casey, Thomas Mark Age 60, of Chaska. Passed away peacefully on October 19th surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Tom was a graduate of DeLaSalle H.S. and a member of the University of Minnesota Diving Team. He is preceded in death by his father (Robert “Bob” Casey) and mother (Rosemary). He is survived by his spouse, Diane Casey; children, Mitchel, Griffin, and Taylor; brothers, Joseph (Kerri) and Michael; sisters-in-law, Molly Frawley and Sherise Wright (Jeff), Dawn Marie Johnson (Phil); nieces, nephews and many friends and family. Tom had a great number of friends from his work and hobbies including skiing, biking, and motorcycling. He had a great sense of humor and lived life to the fullest. He was incredibly proud of his children and felt very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Visitation at the church at 11am. Funeral Mass 1pm Thursday, Oct. 22; St. Victoria Parish (8228 Victoria Dr, Victoria, MN). No flowers please.
Joe’s Sporting Goods Retail Sales Associate – Alpine/Nordic/Snowboard Department Part-time
Share your passion for the outdoors while generating sales, providing great customer service and building a loyal customer base. Experience as a skier or snowboarder is preferred as you are expected to assist customers by providing technical details and offer suggestions on new products. A good work ethic, confidence, self motivation and a service-oriented attitude are some of the requirements to be a sales associate at Joe’s!
Responsibilities:
Interacting with customers, both in person and on the phone.
Providing the utmost customer service, advice, and fitting of Downhill Ski, Snowboard, and Nordic Ski gear
Ability to multi-task with paying close attention to detail
Completing assigned tasks for opening or closing the department.
Merchandising and replenishing stock, cleaning, and refilling supplies as needed.
Communicate customer requests and feedback with the buyer.
Skills:
Passion in Skiing, Snowboarding, Nordic Skiing and the outdoors
Interest in Watersports, Camping, Paddle Sports and Footwear
Background in properly fitting boots/orthotics
Possesses good written, verbal communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
Be a team player and have the ability of meeting assigned targets/goals.
Have good organizational skills and an understanding of basic merchandising.
Requirements:
2 nights/week 2 weekends/month September – March
Possibility of spring/summer employment
Weekend and Holiday availability
Experienced winter enthusiast
Education:
High school, college preferred. Retirees are encouraged to apply.
Up-to-date knowledge of current snow sports products and fitting techniques
Barb and Dave have arranged another very positive program. This one just happens to be in Jackson Hole. YAHOO!
I have noticed the JH logo and words race camp in the Ski Challenge news letters for a long time. I finally got around to going last year. I wish I had not waited so long.
The instruction is provided by the JH Ski School. They do a great job along with the rest of the mountain staff. Here’s what you’ll find. If Nature has not cooperated they make snow so there is good cover on a lot of the runs. I do not know how the group came out last season, but I had no damage to my skis. There is a dedicated support crew that takes care of the courses, same for the video.
During the day you will mix drills with gates. The drills for my group took us on a tour of the open runs. We were not kept in just one place. The course was the only thing kept in the same place. It was on Werner just off the Apres Vous chair. This schedule pretty much takes up the first two days. The morning of the third day is a NASTAR race, pacesetter and all. It’s then on to lunch. Continued training was offered after lunch, but I was pretty much raced out and just wanted to free ski, as many years had passed since I was last out to Jackson Hole.
The lodging is fun. It’s a Bavarian Hotel, Gasthaus, and Beirstube that is lightly Americanized all rolled into one. The lodging prices are very respectable (good show Barb), and the location cannot be beat. Its out the door, two rights followed by about 30-40 steps and you are at the Ski School and the base the lifts. No complaints here!
To get out to Jackson some of us drove, and the rest flew. With the timing of the program it’s not peak season and I am guessing the airline prices are a bit more agreeable than later in the winter. We were given the gift of three bluebird days, but to be honest even if it had been overcast, snowing, or both, it still would have been a good time.
My currently non-skiing wife also attended, found more than enough to do and had a great time. Hats off to Barb and Dave for putting a great one together, sehr gut!
This is just my version of the time out in Jackson Hole last December. For the fine points you need to read the material Barb has placed in the Ski Challenge news letter.
Great Mountain, Great Folks, Excellent Adventure! Paul Burrows Buck Hill, Wednesday Afternoons
Share your passion for the outdoors while generating sales, providing great customer service and building a loyal customer base. Experience as a skier or snowboarder is preferred as you are expected to assist customers by providing technical details and offer suggestions on new products. A good work ethic, confidence, self motivation and a service-oriented attitude are some of the requirements to be a sales associate at Joe’s!
Responsibilities:
Interacting with customers, both in person and on the phone.
Providing the utmost customer service, advice, and fitting of Downhill Ski, Snowboard, and Nordic Ski gear
Ability to multi-task with paying close attention to detail
Completing assigned tasks for opening or closing the department.
Merchandising and replenishing stock, cleaning, and refilling supplies as needed.
Communicate customer requests and feedback with the buyer.
Skills:
Passion in Skiing, Snowboarding, Nordic Skiing and the outdoors
Interest in Watersports, Camping, Paddle Sports and Footwear
Background in properly fitting boots/orthotics
Possesses good written, verbal communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
Be a team player and have the ability of meeting assigned targets/goals.
Have good organizational skills and an understanding of basic merchandising.
Requirements:
2 nights/week 2 weekends/month September – March
Possibility of spring/summer employment
Weekend and Holiday availability
Experienced winter enthusiast
Education:
High school, college preferred. Retirees are encouraged to apply.
Up-to-date knowledge of current snow sports products and fitting techniques