Championships 2024 FAQ

Ski Challenge Championships at Giant’s Ridge will be here before you know it!  We are looking forward to another thrilling, fun-filled weekend filled with racing, friends, and good vibes.

Events are planned for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Giants Ridge will provide beverages and food for purchase all day on Friday and Saturday!  Scroll down to get it figured out!

PRACTICE GATES ON INNSBRUCK AND HELSINKI – FRIDAY – 11 AM – 1 PM

Everyone is invited to participate in this race.  No need to be a Ski Challenge member.  Run gates on Innsbruck and Helsinki as much as you want between 11 am and 1 pm.  If you have a young racer interested in participating in the practice, they need to be able run gates on their own.  There will be no assistance with the chair lift.

SKI CHALLENGE OPEN TEAM RACE – FRIDAY – 2 PM INSPECTION / 2:30 RACE

This is a fun race that everyone can participate in.  Everyone is invited to participate in this race.  No need to be a Ski Challenge member.  Sign up as a full team of 6, or sign up as an individual and be placed on a team.  To see running orders and rosters click on the links below.  AWARDS will immediately follow the race in the garage at the bottom of Helsinki.

TEAM DIVISION RACING – SATURDAY – STARTING AT 9:30 AM

Team Division racing takes place all day Saturday on Innsbruck. Scroll Down to see race times.  Teams are placed in a division by using the medal average of each racer based on their rated handicap.  The top six racers’ points (same point system as used in leagues) are then added up for a team total. The 7th, 8th, or 9th racers may be used to break ties. Divisions are formed by grouping the teams with similar points together.

AWARDS / RESULTS:  Divisions 2, 3, and 4 will be presented in the garage following each race.  Giants Ridge will have food and beverages available.  Division 1 awards will be presented at 7 pm at the Saturday night party in the Lodge at Giants Ridge.  This is due to the King of Hel race starting immediately after the completion of Division 1.

DOOR PRIZES:  Each participant will receive a door prize ticket to fill out at check in for each division he or she is participating in.

BIBS:  Racers will wear regular-season bibs for racing.  Everyone participating will be required to check in so we can make sure you have the correct bib and have paid.  Racers who do not check-in and have not paid will be unable to race.

WHAT IF I’M ON MULTIPLE TEAMS IN ONE DIVISION?   No Problem! You will be able to count for all of your teams. You need to wear the bib for your highest-ranked team – the team with the better running order. RUNNING ORDERS  Our software program automatically transfers your times from your race runs to all of your teams. THIS ONLY WORKS IF YOU WEAR THE PROPER BIB!

KING AND QUEEN OF THE HEL – SATURDAY – HELSINKI – 2 PM

Race Format:  SINGLE COURSE DOWN HELSINKI!  Two runs on the same course.  Everyone is invited to participate in this race.  No need to be a Ski Challenge member.

A specific pacesetter is not used in this race.  Everyone in the race will have their rated handicap entered into the race and an “average par” will be determined.  If someone does not have a Ski Challenge rated handicap, his or her NASTAR National average will be used.

Running order will be based on rated handicap with highest rated handicaps running first on down to the lowest rated handicap running last.  A special concession will be made for those racers ages 70 and up – they will run first regardless of their rated handicap.  THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN IN YEAR’S PAST.  Second run the same order as first run  LATE SIGN UPS AT HILL (anyone after the pre-sign up deadline of Wednesday, Feb 28) – These racers will race at the end of the order for each run no matter what their rated handicap is.

To see how results and awards are figured, follow this link:  KING & QUEEN OF THE HEL

The Midwest Masters crew will also be providing some interval timing, so you can see how you stack up against the field on each section of the course. They’ll also be checking your speed with a speed gun so you can see how fast you’re going! Finally, we are thrilled to share that a videographer will be on-site, along with our usual fabulous photographers, documenting the whole shebang! Raw videos and photos will be on display at our End of the Year Party on Saturday night.

AWARDS AND END OF THE SEASON PARTY – SATURDAY – 7 PM AT NEIGHBOR’S BAR AND RESTAURANT AT THE LODGE AT GIANTS RIDGE

We are also super stoked to host a party on Saturday night at Neighbor’s Bar and Restaurant in The Lodge at Giant’s Ridge! We want to bring everyone back together after a few years of what felt like a departure from our usual togetherness. We want to celebrate another fantastic season with all of you and share some stories, laughs, and maybe a drink or two!

HEAD HERE TO SEE ALL THE DETAILS

MIDWEST MASTERS SUPER G AND SLALOM – SUNDAY FUN DAY STARTING AT 9 AM

Midwest Masters takes over on Sunday with their Sunday Funday festivities! The day kicks off with a Super G.  This willThis is will be a 2-run combined time SG. If you have a need for speed, this race is for you! Interval timing will be set up for the SG, so you’ll be able to analyze your times even more than normal 😉 Shortly after the conclusion of the SG, they will move into a Slalom race down Helsinki. This will also be a typical two-run combined time race. Please note – these races are open to ANYONE! You do not need to have a Master’s license to participate.

Go here for more information:  MASTER’S SUNDAY FUN DAY AT GIANTS RIDGE

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT INFORMATION

You can register and pre-pay for championship events online up until Thursday, February 29 at 10 am. If you are paying by check, we need to receive it by Wednesday, February 28. Even if you don’t pre-register or pre-pay, you are welcome to participate. It will be $5 more per event if paid after Feb 29 at Giants Ridge.

REGISTER FOR EVERYTHING

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND

SCHEDULE

We are SO looking forward to another great weekend! If you have any questions, please see FAQs below, or see our website for more details. And as always, you can contact us at info@skichallenge.com, or via our Facebook or Instagram pages.

Championships at Giant’s Ridge FAQs:

Q: I wasn’t on a Ski Challenge team this year, can I still race?

A: YES! All are welcome to participate in Friday’s gate practice, the Ski Challenge Team Open Race, King and Queen of the Hel AND both races for Masters’ Sunday Funday.

Q: Do I need to check in?

A: YES. Check-in for all events will be held in the Sports Pavilion at the base of the hill, just to the skier’s left of the Helsinki chairlift. For the practice, you’ll need to check in and receive a NUMBER STICKER. For the Open race, we use our set of reusable white bibs (most of you are familiar with). We NEED THOSE BACK at the end of the race as they are reused for King and Queen of the Hel. So, if you’re doing both the Open and King and Queen of the Hel, you’ll need to check in on Friday AND Saturday. For division racing you will wear your regular season bib.  You will need to check in and make sure we have the right bib number for you and also make sure you have paid!

Q: Can I sign up online?

A: Yes, and we prefer this way as it makes check in a piece of cake! You can sign up for all events on the Ski Challenge website. Pre-registration closes on Thursday, February 29th at 10AM.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO REGISTER AND PAY FOR ALL EVENTS!

Q: Can I sign up at the hill?

A: Also yes! However, keep in mind that slots are limited and they fill up – especially for the Open race and King and Queen of the Hel. If you decide to sign up on-site, we’ll do the best we can to get you in. Please note for King and Queen of the Hel, if you sign up at the hill, you’ll be tacked on at the end of the running order as long as there is room.  Also, if you pay at the hill it will cost you $5 more per event.  Even if you are pre-registered.  NO REFUNDS FOR ANY EVENTS.

Q: I’m on multiple teams in the same division. How does that work?

A: No Problem! You will be able to count for all of your teams. You need to wear the bib for your highest-ranked team – the team with the better running order. (RUNNING ORDERS are made after the completion of week 7 and will be posted soon) Our software program automatically transfers your times from your race runs to all of your teams. THIS ONLY WORKS IF YOU WEAR THE PROPER BIB!

Q: How do I know which division my team is in?

A: Divisions can be found on the Ski Challenge website under Events & Leagues/Championships/Divisions.

Q: Are there discounted lift tickets?

A: Yes! Giant’s Ridge is offering a discount to Ski Challenge racers. A 1 day ticket is available for $61, a 2 day for $115, and a 3 day for $165. You can purchase lift tickets through the link on the Ski Challenge website and pick them up either at Guest Services at the hill or one of the pickup boxes via QR code.  LIFT TICKETS

Q: Can I bring my own food/beverages to the hill?

A: Yes and no. Giants Ridge welcomes racers to tailgate in the parking lot; however, no outside food or beverage will be allowed inside Giants Ridge facilities (including the Sports Pavilion and the garage). Food and beverages will be available for purchase on both Friday and Saturday in the garage where awards are held and we encourage you to support Giants Ridge with your purchases!

Q: I’ve never done a Masters race – can I still participate in Sunday Funday?

A: Yes, and it’s encouraged! This is the perfect introduction to Masters racing if you’ve never done it before. If you don’t have a USSA/Masters license, that is no problem! Masters will take care of that for you on the back end. Just head to the Ski Challenge website for a link with more info on how to sign up, or go straight to Midwest Masters’ site. If you decide the weekend of you’d like to give SG and/or slalom a try, Masters will also be set up in the Sports Pavilion to help you get registered and answer any questions you might have.

MORE INFO ON MASTERS SUNDAY FUN DAY

Q: Where can I stay?

A: As we are entering the final days before the big weekend, your on-site lodging options might be limited. You can try calling The Villas at 800-843-7434 to see if there is any last-minute availability. You get 10% off by mentioning Ski Challenge when booking, or entering SKIC2024 online. Another option is The Lodge at Giants Ridge. You can get 10% off if you book online. Another great option, if you’re willing to drive a bit, is the Comfort Inn & Suites in Mountain Iron! You can either call 218-741-7411 and request the 2024 State Championships rate, or click the link on the Ski Challenge website to reserve online. There are many other hotels, motels, and AirBnbs in the area if you want to look into one of those options!

LODGING INFO

Q: Are photos/videos provided?

A: Heck yeah! We have some amazing Ski Challenge racers who will be out on the hill taking some killer action photos during each race. We’ll also be sure to document the awards ceremonies and fun times outside of the actual racing. All these photos will be available for FREE both on the Ski Challenge website and on our Facebook page as soon as possible after the event. We are also THRILLED to share that we will have a videographer on-site for King and Queen of the Hel who will be taking video of everyone’s runs and putting together a cool little edit for us. Raw video will be shown at the End of Year Party on Saturday evening.

Q: What is this party you speak of?

A: On Saturday at 7PM, we will be gathering in the bar at The Lodge at Giants Ridge. While we will be presenting awards for Division 1 and King and Queen of the Hel during this time, the purpose of this party is to bring everyone together to celebrate another fun and successful season together. We encourage everyone to grab a bite at Neighbor’s BBQ (the new restaurant in The Lodge) beforehand and then mosey on over to the bar area for a drink or two, a chance to win some great prizes, and some great camaraderie! We will also have the video and photos from the day on display. Please join us!