- Welcome to the Season
- Bonus Leagues for 2026
- Spots Available
- Scoring Updates for 2026
- Pacesetting
- What do to at the First Race
- Open NASTAR Races
- Clinics and Practices at Buck Hill
- Midwest Alpine Challenge – Save the Date
- Championships at Giants Ridge
WELCOME TO THE 2026 SEASON!
A chill is in the air, the first snow has arrived, and with Thanksgiving this past week, the holidays are officially underway — which means it’s time to start thinking about SKI RACING!
Week 1 of the 2026 season runs Sunday, January 4, through Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Please note: the Sunday AM league will kick off its season on Sunday, January 11.
There will be Sunday PM racing only on January 4.
We’re gearing up for a fun-filled season packed with great racing, and we can’t wait for colder temps and plenty of snow-making to get things rolling!
Ski Challenge is Minnesota’s premier recreational ski racing league — with more members than any other group in the state! Last season marked our 40th year, and what a celebration it was. We packed in races across seven leagues at Buck Hill, enjoyed Saturday night NASTAR events, and wrapped up with an incredible Championships weekend at Giants Ridge.
As we look ahead to another exciting season, we’re eager for more fun, racing, camaraderie, and the shared love of winter that defines Ski Challenge. Our amazing members are truly the heart of this program — your enthusiasm and passion for the sport keep us going strong!
And here’s a fun fact: Ski Challenge began in 1985 with just 35 participants. Today, we coordinate racing for nearly 1,000 racers across seven leagues, plus a variety of open NASTAR nights throughout the season.
1. BONUS LEAGUES FOR 2026
For the upcoming season, we’re excited to offer three bonus leagues at Buck Hill!
- Sunday Evening and Wednesday Afternoon leagues: Take up to 4 race runs — 2 on each course.
- Monday Night league: Take up to 3 total runs — with your choice of blue or red for your third run.
SPOTS AVAILABLE!
Our leagues at Buck Hill continue to grow, and there’s still room for both individuals and teams in all of our leagues! If you’d like to join a team or form a new one, contact the Ski Challenge office at info@skichallenge.com to get started.
You can also check out our current rosters—which include payment and waiver status—as well as the updated running orders for the season. Follow the links below for more information.
SCORING UPDATES FOR 2026
Ski Challenge has updated its scoring charts to align with the NASTAR scoring system for the 2026 season.
- Women’s scoring remains unchanged.
- Men’s scoring has been updated for certain medal requirements in the 35–89 age groups.
3. PACESETTING
There will be no pacesetter trials this season. We will begin the year using the pacesetting numbers assigned by NASTAR last season. A complete list of pacesetter handicaps is available on our website and on the NASTAR website.
If you’re interested in becoming a Ski Challenge pacesetter, please get in touch with the Ski Challenge office. We will submit a request to NASTAR, and they will assign a pacesetting handicap for you. Ski Challenge pacesetters are asked to maintain an average handicap of 12 or under.
To see current pacesetter points follow this link: PACESETTER POINTS
4. WHAT TO DO AT THE FIRST RACE
Whether you’re new to Ski Challenge or returning for another season, plan to arrive early for the first race. First, check in at the registration table at the front of the room. There, you will make sure all payments have been made and all waivers have been signed. Then you will receive your race bib for the season and your T-shirt. All leagues will meet in the Event Center at Buck Hill – above the ski school, next to the restaurant.
Check-in times:
- Weeknights: 6:00 – 7:15 PM
- Wednesday afternoons: 12:00 – 1:15 PM
- Sunday mornings: 8:30 – 9:45 AM
- Sunday evenings: 4:00 – 5:15 PM
Check in by your last name, not your team. The staff will verify if you’ve completed all your liability forms—if not, you’ll need to fill one out. You must sign the form and confirm payment before receiving your racing bib and T-shirt. Participants under 18 must have a parent-completed online waiver if parents aren’t present. No one can race without a signed liability form.
Each participant is assigned one bib number for the seven-week series. This number is tied to your information in our database—no one else may wear your bib or use your number. Once you receive your bib (and T-shirt), locate your team table to get ready. Table toppers with team names will guide you.
Courses are set 30 minutes before race time.
5. OPEN NASTAR RACES
Ski Challenge will once again host the Saturday Night NASTAR Open Races at Buck Hill this season, starting in January—plus an additional race on Thursday, December 18. These events allow for as many runs as possible between 7:00 and 8:30 pm and are open to everyone, including non–Ski Challenge racers. It’s a great way to get your friends out to try ski racing!
All scores will be submitted to NASTAR and posted on their website.
2025–26 Schedule:
- Thursday, December 18, 2025
- Saturdays: January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2026
- Saturdays: February 7, 14, 2026
Follow this link for the full race schedule and more details: NASTAR OPEN RACES
6. CLINICS AND PRACTICES
Buck Hill offers GS Clinics and Practices on Wednesday mornings and Friday nights throughout the season. Clinics start in December. Buck Hill Race Clinics help prepare you to take on challenges that will elevate your skiing prowess to uncharted heights. For All Ages: Whether you’re a junior racer with aspirations of category domination or a seasoned adult skier on a journey of skill refinement, the Buck Hill clinics are open to individuals of all ages and abilities.
Adult Race Clinics at Buck Hill taught by the Buck Hill Race Staff
Wednesday Race Clinics
- Skier Type: All ages and abilities
- Dates: Starting TBD
- Time: 10:15 AM – 12:00 PM
- Course: Crossroads
- Fee: $30 per day
Friday Race Clinics
- Dates: Starting TBD
- Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
- Fee: $35 per day
Follow this link for specific clinic dates and times: BUCK HILL CLINICS
7. SAVE THE DATE for the 2026 MIDWEST ALPINE CHALLENGE
Get ready for the 2nd Annual Midwest Alpine Challenge, scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Welch Village!
Teams of six racers will compete in a 2-run GS race against teams from Midwest Masters, MRL, Ski Challenge, and ski areas across the Midwest. While the race is competitive, camaraderie and fun are the main focus—so gather your team and get ready for an exciting day on the race hill!
8. CHAMPIONSHIPS AT GIANTS RIDGE 2026
Championships at Giants Ridge are scheduled for February 27 – March 1, 2026. This fun-filled weekend is packed with racing! Teams are divided into divisions with competitors of similar abilities, and there are also additional team and individual races that everyone can participate in—including non–Ski Challenge members.
The weekend concludes with a Sunday Fun-day race hosted by Midwest Masters, and all teams are invited to attend.
NEW THIS YEAR: Teams from other ski areas are welcome to join the competition! If your team competes in a league at a ski area other than Buck Hill, we’d love to have you participate. Teams will need an established roster, and division placement will be based on team members’ average handicaps and medals earned during the season.
Looking for Lodging for the Championships Weekend? The Lodge at Giants Ridge and The Villas are both offering discounts to Ski Challenge members. Follow the link below to find out more and to reserve your room.
9. GARAGE SALE
Looking for ski gear that’s new to you? ⛷️ Check out our Ski Challenge Member Garage Sale! You’ll find great used race gear, apparel, and accessories — with new items added all the time!
ellow racers and bring your whole team for an evening of camaraderie, ski movies, and great food and drinks. We’ll be showing several ski films, including “Return of the Turn,” featuring Ski Challenge at Buck Hill!
Welcome back Joe’s Ski Shop as a sponsor for the 2025-26 season!
Registration for the 2025–26 Season is Now Open! Secure your spot for the upcoming season—register today as an individual or sign up your team! You can conveniently pay online or mail in a check. When you register online, you will automatically complete your Ski Challenge waiver. You will also be able to complete the Buck Hill waiver for the season online.
Get Ready for Race Camp in Jackson Hole this December! Thursday – Saturday, December 11, 12, 13, 2025. This 3-day camp is the perfect way to kick off your ski season. You’ll experience a dynamic mix of drills, free skiing, race gate training, and comprehensive coaching—all designed to elevate your skills and confidence on the mountain. It’s also an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow skiers, hang out, and enjoy the camaraderie that makes this camp so special.
Stay up to date on the upcoming season schedule. Find sales, swaps, race dates, special events, and sponsor happenings. Tentative Schedule for the 2025-26 is posted now
September 26-28, 2025
The Midwest Alpine Challenge started as an idea over two years ago, and it is coming up quickly on Saturday, January 25th, at Welch Village! This race aims to bring together all the different racing communities in the Midwest for one fun day. The planning has been a collaboration between several of the biggest racing communities in the area (Ski Challenge, Midwest Masters, and Midwest Race League), and the race format combines elements of NASTAR, High School, and USSS racing to create a unique experience for racers. This will be a GS race, with one run in the morning and one in the afternoon. The team portion of the race will be scored similar to a Ski Challenge race. There will be teams of 6 where the top 5 will count on each run. The fastest person in the race will be the ‘0’ handicap, and everyone will be scored off that person. Medal points will be tallied up to determine the winners. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the top 5 men and women in the race! Individual results will be based on combined times. Photographers will be on-site taking action photos, and Midwest Skiers will be filming to put together a video. There are still a few team spots open, and there is still time to sign up! Get your team of 6 together, or sign up as an individual where you can join a waitlist to be added to a team (as spots are available). Head to midwestalpinechallenge.com for more information and to register!
2025 marks the 40th season of Ski Challenge! The Ski Challenge began in 1985 as a Twin Cities Metro Area recreational ski racing program founded by Patricia Lecy. Patricia enjoyed racing through NASTAR courses and thought it would be fun to turn a simple NASTAR type of race into a grand, team event. The program began with four teams (approximately 35 people) roving each week to different ski areas. After a couple of years, the program began to grow and Patricia decided to keep each league at its own venue. In time, Buck Hill, Afton Alps, Hyland Hills, Trollhaugen, and Welch Village were involved with the Twin Cities Ski Challenge. As the years went on, the Challenge grew and grew. In 1988, Patricia and her business partner at the time decided to split the Twin Cities Ski Challenge into two groups. Patricia kept leagues at Buck Hill and Hyland Hills and added Powder Ridge and Wild Mountain to the list. She also changed the name to “The Ski Challenge”. In 1997, Dave and Barb Everson purchased The Ski Challenge from Patricia and Roger Lecy, who retired to Tucson for the winters. Sadly, Patricia Lecy passed away in 2006 from Cancer. But we will always be grateful for her creativity and passion for the sport that started all the “Serious Fun!”
With the start of the new season, there may be questions about the program. Follow the link below where you will find everything you need to know for the upcoming season.
