Category Archives: Uncategorized

Return of the Turn is coming to Ski Challenge!

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!

What do I do at the First Race?

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.

MORE INFO

What is a Handicap??

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.

Member Information

Bob Victor

Bob Victor passed away on June 12, 2020.  Bob was a past Ski Challenge member racing with Sunday Screamers at Buck Hill on Sunday mornings.

BOB’S STORY

 

 

 

Ken Stover

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.

KEN STOVER OBITUARY

 

 

Tom Lang

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.

TOM LANG OBITUARY

Larry Wogensen

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.

LARRY WOGENSEN OBITUARY

Jack Parcheta

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.

JACK PARCHETA OBITUARY

 

 

Woody Jewett

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.

https://www.mtexpress.com/obituaries/frank-g-woody-jewett-iii/article_5c3aa35a-5189-11e9-852d-dbbe97e8dc3e.html

http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000303748/?fullname=frank-greenwood-woody-jewett,-iii

Phill Dalager

December 22, 2018
Please keep Phill in your thoughts and prayers!  Phill races with the Ragged Edges – Buck Hill Sunday AM.

Update:  March 2019 – Phill is doing great.  He has recovered from his heart attack and will hopefully be back next season to race with us!

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/philldalager/journal

Brian Bebler

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:

Brian Bebler Obituary

Willi Zogg

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

CLICK HERE FOR FULL OBITUARY

Bill Cavanagh

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

MORE INFO

John Miller

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

  • 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.

Help Wanted at Joe’s

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
  • Merchandising and sales background preferred.
  • Training will be provided
More Info

Jackson Hole Race Camp Exposed – By Paul Burrows

TOP SECRET
CODED
NOT REALLY
PROCEED ON

By:  Paul Burrows

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

Register for Camp Here

Help Wanted at Joe’s Ski Shop

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

Apply Here

 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
  • Merchandising and sales background preferred.
  • Training will be provided

Ski Challenge Sponsors and Advertising

Ski Challenge is always looking for new sponsors and advertisers.  If you are looking for a unique way to promote your goods or business, become a Ski Challenge Sponsor!

Ski Challenge sponsors benefit by being exposed to a great target market of like minded people.

Some of the basic benefits that sponsors get are:

  • Ads in all printed and e-mail newsletters (provided by sponsor)
  • Logo with link on all e-news sent out by Ski Challenge
  • Listed on Ski Challenge Brochures
  • Name on General Sponsor Page of website with link to your website
  • Mention at League awards ceremony
  • Mention for door prize give away at each week in leagues sponsored
  • Allowed to distribute any literature at league events

Higher level sponsors get:

  • Logo to appear on website league pages
  • Logo to appear on league results posted on website
  • Sponsor events and news promoted on Ski Challenge Facebook Page
  • Logo on t-shirts (120+ per league)
  • Logo on Bibs (120+ per league)
  • Logo on Team Photos
  • Logo on Running orders inside and outside and on website for all leagues sponsored
  • Logo on indoor League banner for all leagues sponsored
  • Logo displayed on banner(s) at Championships at Giants Ridge
  • Logo in Newsletter under league standings
  • Logo on Ski Challenge Vehicle and Trailer (pending vehicle sponsorship – no logos on vehicle if no vehicle sponsor)
  • Logo on table toppers  and running orders for all leagues sponsored
  • Logo on weekly result pages at hill, shops and website – for all leagues sponsored
  • Outdoor banner hung up weekly (banner provided by you) – for all leagues sponsored

We offer five different levels of sponsorship.  Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Contributing sponsor levels.

Contact Barb at Ski Challenge at info@skichallenge.com or 952-894-9220 for more information.

 

Buck Hill Friday PM and Saturday AM Leagues Discontinued

Unfortunately, Buck Hill has decided to cancel our Friday night and Saturday morning leagues for the 2019 season. Friday nights have been cancelled due to the lack of meeting space for our check in and awards. Black Diamond wants to rent out the event center on Friday nights if possible and the Hutch is being used by the ski school. Saturday mornings, Black Diamond wants to rent out the event center and Buck Hill does not want a race on the hill on Saturdays.

Please consider joining our NEW Friday DAY league at Buck Hill. This league will be considered an All Age League and also a BONUS league. This means you get two runs in each course. Race time is 1 pm, with inspection at 12:30 pm. The event should wrap up by 3 pm.

Also, if you are a family or kid who enjoyed our Friday night league, please consider our Sunday PM league. This is an all age league that is also a bonus league. It starts at 5:15 pm. Course inspection at 4:45. We are usually all wrapped up by 7 pm.

We are disappointed that this has happened, but want to give everyone the heads up and options that are available.

We are contemplating and working with the Buck Hill race department to have some kind of practice/gate nights with timing on the four Friday nights in January. This is in the early planning stages and we will let everyone know if it will happen.