Rules

PRINT RULES

Race Format

Ski Challenge races use a standard modified giant slalom format with a dual course. Each racer completes one run on each course. The host ski area provides the race crew and is responsible for setting and maintaining the race courses.

Race Make up

Due to the tight race schedule, it is very difficult to reschedule races.
Sorry—NO individual race make-ups are allowed.

Team Composition

  • Each team may have up to 10 permanent racers (no substitutes).
  • Teams do not need all 10 racers present to compete.
  • Racers may compete on one team per race.
  • Racers may be on more than one team only if the teams are in different leagues.
  • Individual captains generally organize teams.
  • Individuals looking for a team may be placed on an existing team by Ski Challenge. We do our best to match racers based on preferences and ability.

Bibs will only be ordered for:

  • Bibs will be ordered only for teams that have reserved their team spot (at least one paid member).
  • Bibs are ordered on November 2.
  • ⚠️ After Week 5 of the regular season, any unpaid individual on a roster will be deleted.
  • If bibs are ordered and the team folds, the captain deposit will not be refunded.

Age

  • A racer’s age is determined as of December 31 of that ski season and does not change during the season.
  • Adult-only leagues: Must be 13 years of age or older.
  • All-Age leagues: Ages 4 and older may participate.
  • Refer to the league schedule to determine eligible leagues.

Roster Changes

  • Additions or changes (up to the 10-racer limit) may be made through Race 5.
  • Re-entry of participants is not allowed.
  • Open roster spots may be filled at any time before Week 5.
  • Racers may not be switched in and out of the roster.
  • Your Week 5 roster becomes your Championships roster—no changes after Week 5.
  • Only one roster change per bib number is allowed and remains in effect for the rest of the season*.

Substitutions

  • Roster substitutions are NOT allowed.
  • Guest racers may race with a team but cannot count toward team scores or replace a missing rostered racer.
  • Each bib number is permanently assigned to a rostered racer and includes their personal data (age, gender, handicap, etc.) unless an official roster change is made.

Switching Teams or Guest Joining Teams

  • If a racer switches teams within the same league, all previous results remain with the original team.
  • If a guest racer later joins a team, their guest race results in that league will be added to their new team.

Race Order

  • Teams race together in bib sequence each week.
  • The initial race order is announced at the first race and rotates throughout the season.
  • Race order is posted one hour prior to race start.
  • Teams not present at the start on time will forfeit their position and race last.
  • Team running order must be set by December 15 and cannot be changed after that date or at the first race.

DNFS – DO NOT SKI THROUGH FINISH

If you miss a gate or crash, DO NOT ski through the finish.

  • Timing is electronic, and skiing through the finish may result in an incorrect recorded time.
  • While officials do their best, avoiding the finish prevents scoring errors whenever possible.

Reruns

Re-runs are determined only by ski area race officials.

  • If interference occurs, ski out of the course and do NOT cross the finish, unless interference occurs at the final two gates.
  • Stop off course, signal the timer with your ski pole, then report to the starter.
  • Re-runs should occur between teams, not in the middle of another team’s run.

Course Setting and Inspection

  • Courses are set by host ski area staff.
  • Inspection opens 30 minutes prior to race start.
  • Racers may side-slip the course—do not ski through gates.
  • Skiing through gates during inspection will result in scores not being counted.
  • Participants may be asked to slip the course depending on conditions.
  • Beginner (young) racers may snowplow slowly through the course for inspection.

Race Results

  • Unofficial results and medals are announced approximately 15–20 minutes after each race.
  • Official results are posted online the following day.
  • Individual results are submitted to NASTAR by the next day.
  • Printed results are available at ski areas and sponsoring ski shops the following week.

Scoring

A handicap system is used to determine medals and team points.

  • The racer’s best handicap of the two runs is used to determine both medal and team points.
  • Medals are awarded each night at the awards ceremony.
  • Refer to the official handicap chart for details on the handicap system.
  • The top six scores from each team count toward team points.
  • These points accumulate weekly through Race 7 to determine champions.
  • Racers #7, #8, #9, and bonus points are accumulated each week to determine tiebreakers at the last race.

5 pts for Platinum  —  4 pts for Gold  —  3 pts for Silver  — 2 pts for Bronze  —  1 pts for “I did it”

Disqualifications

The Ski Challenge director has the authority to invalidate individual or team scores for flagrant violations of Ski Challenge rules or policies.

FASTEST / FAST / MOST IMPROVED RACERS OF THE WEEK

Fastest: Always the female and male, girl and boy with the lowest handicap at that race. This award will be given out all seven weeks.

Fast: This is the next fastest female and male, girl and boy who have not received a fast or fastest award yet. This award will be given out all seven weeks.

Most Improved: Always the female and male, boy and girl with the most improvement from the previous week. This award can be given to someone who has earned it before. This award is given out at weeks two through seven.

Each winner will receive an award certificate. The top five in each category are announced each week. Winners are posted in the newsletter each week.

League End of Season Awards

Team Awards

  • League champions receive a team trophy
  • Medallions awarded to 1st–3rd place teams
  • Ribbons awarded to 4th–5th place teams
  • Ties are broken using points from the 7th, 8th, 9th racer, then bonus points

Individual Awards

(Regular season only; minimum 4 of 7 races required)

  • Fastest and Most Improved awards determined by handicap averages and improvement trends
  • Attendance and season-long improvement are considered

Championships

  • Your Week 5 roster determines your team’s division at Championships.
  • Racers must have earned a handicap/medal in at least one regular-season race by Week 5.
  • No roster changes after Week 5.
  • All teams are eligible—full teams of 10 are not required.