Category Archives: Uncategorized

Black Diamond Restaurant – New at Buck Hill!


black-diamond-logo-black-with-font-finalBuck Hill has changed up the restaurant and catering for the upcoming season.  The Black Diamond Restaurant and Bar opened this Fall.  Buck Hill was looking for a restaurant that will enhance their amenities and guest experience by being open twelve months of the year.  The Black Diamond will also service all of our Buck Hill Ski Challenge events.

Black Diamond owners Ryan and Jen McGunnigle also own Las Tortillas Mexican Restaurant in Rosemount.  The Buck Hill owners had dined at Las Tortillas Mexican Restaurant many times and wanted a similar cuisine and beverage offering at Buck Hill.

Black Diamond is a full service restaurant open seven days a week at 11 am for Lunch followed by weekday happy hour and daily dinner service.  The restaurant offers both Mexican and American cuisines.  They use traditional regional ingredients and put a Mexican Flare and American comfort forward.  Black Diamond offers a full bar with bottle beer, rotating draft beer, signature cocktails, made from scratch margaritas, and quality varieties of Domestic and Imported wine.

Black Diamond will offer Ski Challenge racers their very own menu for pre-orders  prior to heading out to the race.  When teams return from the race, their food will be ready.  The Ski Challenge menu will feature such favorites as Pulled BBQ Pork Sliders, BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos, Cheeseburgers, Wings, Chili, and Chips with Salsa and Guac.  Beer specials will also be offered.

We look forward to a great season with Black Diamond.  Please remember that the room we use for our awards is a restaurant.  No outside food or beverage is allowed.  If you would like to celebrate a birthday, you are allowed to bring in a cake.  Please check with the Black Diamond staff prior to bringing in a cake so that they are aware of it.

To learn more about Black Diamond Restaurant follow this link www.buckhill.com/black-diamond-restaurant-buck-hill/ or like them on Facebook!

Buck Hill Preseason Week 1 Postponed


Buck Hill preseason Friday, December 2 is cancelled
Buck Hill preseason Tuesday, December 6 is cancelled

The following shows a revised schedule for Preseason at Buck Hill

Fridays – Buck – December 9, 16, WEEK 3 will be Thursday, Dec 22

Tuesdays – Buck – December 13, 20, WEEK 3 will be Thursday, Dec 22

We will be combining week 3 for both leagues on Thursday, December 22.
Please note – if you are guest racing on Thursday, December 22, you will take one run on each course like a normal race night.

So far, Wild Mountain Preseason is on a scheduled.  Please stay tuned for updates on this.

T-shirt Sizing – By Monday 11/6

Make sure you get your T-shirt size correct by Monday, November 5.  We will be ordering T-shirts for all those registered.  If you have not specified a size, we will guess at a size for you.  To see what size T-shirt on order for you go to our ROSTER Page and then click on the league that you are participating in.

We offer sizes in Men’s – Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL.  Women’s – Small (FS), Medium (FM), Large (FL), XL (FXL).  Kids’ – Youth Medium (YM), Youth Large (YL).

Our T-shirts this season will be a little different than in year’s past.  We will be ordering Gildan Soft Style Tees.  You can go here for more info on that sizing  TEES

Equipment Suggestions

Ski Challenge does not have any equipment rules, you can race on pretty much any gear that you like.  The following gives a quick overview of Ski Challenge equipment suggestions.


SKIS

Most participants race on a “cheater” or recreational ski.  Some use “Masters” type skis, which use full race construction but have a bit shorter turn radius than FIS level skis.  Very few use true FIS or World Cup level skis, which have a higher turning radius, are stiffer, and have less sidecut.  Some more advanced, stronger racers may race on true race skis but not all racers benefit from race skis.

Most recreational / cheater skis have a radius from 15  to 18 and have more sidecut with a slightly bigger shovel and tail than a true race ski.  They are designed to turn easier at a lower speed.

Some lighter women race on Jr Race skis.  These skis may have a little bit higher turning radius and are not as side cut as the “cheater” ski.  They are usually a little bit softer or more flexible than a cheater ski or an adult race ski.  Because these skis have less sidecut, and a smaller shovel, they may require a bit more edge angle to turn than a “cheater” ski yet perform like a race ski.

If you are a beginner Ski Challenge participant, you don’t need to rush out and purchase new skis or equipment.  In fact, it may be wise to just start racing on what you already have.  Once you get a feel for what it’s all about,  you can make your way to one of our sponsor shops to get what works for you.  Many of the employees at the sponsor shops also race in Ski Challenge and are more than happy to help you find the right equipment for you.  Everyone is at a different level and everyone has a different skiing style.  So, it’s best to get what works for you, not exactly what the fastest racer is on.

Some of our participants even race on Telemark skis or Snowboards.  You do get a few extra points toward your medal if you are on Telemark skis or a Snowboard.  You must alert Ski Challenge in order to receive your extra points.  Once you have declared you are racing on Telemark Skis or a Snowboard, you cannot switch back and forth with Alpine Skis.  If you decide to switch to Alpine skis, you must alert Ski Challenge in order to get your proper points.

Our participating sponsor Ski Shops offer discounts to Ski Challenge racers as well as expertise on all levels of racing and skiing in general.


BOOTS

Boots are the most important piece of equipment, for both performance and comfort.  The most important aspect of boots is the fit.  You need to make sure you have the proper fit and last shape for your particular foot.  It’s no longer necessary to get a boot that is way too stiff or uncomfortable for you just because you want to be a racer.  It’s more important to be comfortable and also to be able to flex your boot properly.  And, remember, when it’s -5 out on the race hill, it’s much tougher to flex your boots than when you are in the nice, warm ski shop.

Boots are a big investment and can last for many seasons if you get the right ones.  All of our sponsor shops offer great expertise and boot fitting.  We would suggest you avoid buying boots online or sight unseen.  It’s much more important to get the proper boot and proper boot fitting than to save a few bucks.  Not only can the shop help you get the right boot and fit, they can also make sure your boot is working correctly with your bindings and skis.  Boots can make or break your race run.  They can help shave off that tenth of a second, or if you have an improper fit, they can add a tenth or two or even more!


HELMETS

Ski Challenge does not have any helmet requirements.  You aren’t required to wear a certain type of helmet and aren’t required to run out and buy a new helmet every time FIS decides to change something.  We recommend that everyone wears a helmet while racing.  It only makes sense.

Some younger racers (and Masters racers) may also participate in Slalom racing.  When you race Slalom, you are required to have a chin bar across the front of your helmet.  We suggest for Ski Challenge that you either remove your chin bar or have a different helmet for Ski Challenge.  In modified GS (like Ski Challenge) you are racing at a higher speed than in slalom.  In a rolling or twisting fall the chin bar on your helmet may put undue strain and leverage on your neck.


GS SUITS

Quite a few of our participants wear GS suits.  You are NOT required to wear a GS suit.  You can wear just about anything you want – even a costume if you choose!  Many of our racers wear their regular ski pants and jackets.  Some will take off their jackets for their race runs.  Our stretch bibs should fit over most jackets.  Some higher level racers who hit the gates also wear arm guards.  These can be found at any of our participating sponsor shops.

Help Wanted Joe’s Sporting Goods – Retail Sales Associate – Alpine/Nordic/Snowboard Department

Joe’s Sporting Goods
Retail Sales Associate – Alpine/Nordic/Snowboard Department
Part-time Seasonal

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

Education:

  • High school, college preferred. Retirees are encouraged to apply.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of current snow sports products and fitting techniques
  • Merchandising and sales background preferred.
  • Experienced winter enthusiast
  • Training will be provided

Help Wanted at Joe’s Sporting Goods – Retail Sales Associate – Clothing Department

Joe’s Sporting Goods
Retail Sales Associate – Clothing 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.
  • Suggesting alternatives and add-on sales.
  • Completing assigned tasks for opening or closing the department.
  • Process merchandise, maintaining/setting displays, and replenishing stock, cleaning, and refilling supplies as needed.
  • Communicate customer requests and feedback with the buyer.

Skills:

  • Possess good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Have good 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:

  • In addition to day or evening hours, must be available on weekends/holidays.
  • Experience in clothing retail preferred

Education:

  • High school, college preferred. Retirees encouraged to apply.
  • Merchandising and sales background preferred.
  • Experienced winter enthusiast
  • Training will be provided

2016 Dirtbag Invitational Raises over $40,000!

Thanks to the great sponsors, participants and organizers, the Dirtbag Invitational Golf Tournament to benefit Special Olympics MN Winter Games raised $40,633!  This nearly doubles the 2015 earnings!

Dirtbag organizing team included:  John Koch, Heidi Butler, Sue Gustafson, Scott Malmsten, Jean Regan, Steve Jones, Carey Manson and Dave Barr.

The Ski Challenge had the honor of representing Hole Number 14.