Our 38th season of the Ski Challenge has wrapped up! It was a great year!

Despite the crazy weather year, we pulled off another fun-filled season!  Our 2023 season started off with cancellations due to too much snow, had some cold temps and then rain thrown in during mid-season, and then had to deal with more heavy snow on the tail end.  Thanks to the ski areas and Midwest Masters for helping us to get our final year-end races in.

REGULAR SEASON / NASTAR Open Races. 
We had more than 5,200 regular-season race results throughout the season—close to 1,500 for Wild Mountain and 3,300 for Buck Hill.  We had 255 Saturday night NASTAR racers at Buck Hill this season.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
223 individuals participated in our Championships at Giants Ridge. We had close to 1,000 individual race starts in the two days of competition.

A BIG thank you to our participating ski areas and their staff at Buck Hill, Wild Mountain, and Giants Ridge. Also, thank you to all our participating Sponsors. We couldn’t do it without our great Ski Challenge staff and most of all, we thank all the Ski Challenge racers for all your support and continued participation.

Take our Survey!

Please take our 2023 survey. You will have a chance to win a $50 credit toward your fees for next season! The survey should take no more than 10 minutes.  This survey closes on Monday, April 3.

2023 SURVEY

Championship Results and Photos

Check out all the results for the Championships by following this link:
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

PHOTOS
Photos from our Championships weekend at Giants Ridge are available for download and viewing!
SMUGMUG

All photos are posted to our SmugMug site and also on Facebook. On the SmugMug site, you can download high-resolution photos at no charge. You can also share them on your social media sites.
FACEBOOK

If you want to tag yourself or friends, then you will need to grab the photos directly from our albums on Facebook.

A big thanks to Randal Zoeller and Derek Hennekens for taking all the great photos at Giants Ridge! Also, a great big Thank You to all the staff who helped make this year’s event a success!  And thanks to the Giants Ridge crew and Rock Ridge Alpine Team for helping us out all weekend.  It takes A LOT of hands-on to bring it all together.

Help us plan for next year! If you attended Championships at Giants Ridge this year, follow this link to fill out our Championships Survey.

CHAMPIONSHIPS SURVEY

NEW SKI CHALLENGE MESH BACK HATS FOR SALE!

Check out the new Ski Challenge hat!  This hat is a charcoal color front with a stone colored mesh back.  Fully adjustable.  $25.

We can ship to your house for a small fee or deliver to your league race day for no charge.

Follow this link to order:  HAT ORDER FORM

LOCATION CHANGES

Buck Hill Sunday PM – Meet in Hutch – February 5 – Week 5

Sunday PM racers will boot up and have awards in the Hutch.  Sunday AM leagues will follow what we did last week – boot up in Hutch, awards in Event Center.

The Event Center is hosting a private event in the evening, so we need to clear out of the room by 12 pm.

Wild Mountain Sunday February 19 – Week 6

Meet in Eagle’s Nest for check-in and awards.

Venmo Now Available

Ski Challenge has added the Venmo capability to pay for things at the hill.  You can pay for league fees and Guest racing using Venmo.  We still require everyone to fill out an online waiver.  There also is a fee if using Venmo for your league fees.

Find our Venmo account at @skichallengemn.

NASTAR NOW CHARGING TO VIEW RESULTS

NASTAR has suddenly decided to require a subscription to an online magazine in order to view results on their website. Ski Challenge will still submit all results to NASTAR. However, Ski Challenge will no longer be providing links to races on NASTAR since not all members are able to view them. This is very disappointing for our club since we have already paid a sizeable Club fee to belong to NASTAR this year. Going forward for our open NASTAR Saturday races and our bonus leagues, we will post a PDF of the NASTAR printed results on our website so people can view all their race run results. Ski Challenge results will continue to show only the best result in each run.

Are you still Wearing Glasses When You Ski?  Check out Heavyglare.com Goggle Inserts!

It’s finally ski season. All your snow gear is finally being put to use after a year in the shed – until you look at your ski goggles and wonder “do I want to fight with my glasses and goggles on the chairlift?”

Instead of wearing contacts notorious for irritating your eyes (and ruining your favorite time of year), try Heavyglare’s prescription Goggle Inserts!

Made for a universal fit, these will fit snugly into any ski, snow, or moto-goggles. The wide field of view ensures you’re performing at your best. Using an anti-fog cleaner will help keep you from stopping your momentum to wipe your lenses.

Backed by our 30-day prescription guarantee, this is your ticket to enjoying your ski season!

WILD MOUNTAIN SUNDAY LEAGUES – JANUARY 29

Meet in the Eagle’s nest for booting up and awards.  Wild Mountain is hosting the Blizzard ski group that day and they will be taking over the Bear’s Den.

We will also be in the Eagle’s Nest on Sunday, February 19.

TEAM PHOTOS SCHEDULE CHANGE

Team photos will be created digitally for everyone to download for FREE.  We will also make one printed copy for each team to be used in league first-place plaques.  If your team doesn’t win the league, we will give you your printed photo at week 7 awards.

WMFRI – Week 5 – February 3
WM Sunday Races – Week 5 – February 5
BHWEDD – Week 3 – Completed
BHWEDP – Week 3 – Completed
BHTHUR – Week 4 – Completed
DUE TO COLDER TEMPS SUN-THURS NEXT WEEK WE ARE MOVING TEAM PHOTOS TO THE NEXT WEEK.
BHSUN AM & PM – Week 5 – February 5 – CHANGE
BHMON – Week 4 – February 6 – CHANGE
BHTUES – Week 5 – February 7 – CHANGE

BUCK HILLS SUNDAY AM UPDATES

Our race time is going to be 15 minutes earlier

• Lifts start at 9 am
• Course Inspection 9:15 – 9:45 am
• Race: 9:45 am

Boot up, check-in, and get ready in The Hutch. Doors will be open at 8 am. You can leave your bags in the Hutch during the race (it will be reserved for us).

After the race is done, Head up to the Event Center, and grab a table for awards. The Event Center/Restaurant will have counter/bar service in the room where you can order beverages and food off the full menu. As a “goodwill” gesture, Buck Hill will provide the $5 off coupons to our group once again to be used on Sunday. We will not be reserving team tables.

LOOKING FOR NEW GEAR?

Having the right gear, great-fitting boots, and having your skis and bindings set correctly make all the difference in the world!  It could even mean a faster race time with a lower handicap.  If you’re feeling like you need a tune-up or just want to start over with your equipment, all of our sponsor shops offer Ski Challenge members great service, knowledge, products, and even a discount!  Our sponsors contribute greatly to The Ski Challenge program helping to keep fees down.  Please thank them by spending your $$ at their shops!

TEAM PHOTOS

Team photos will be created digitally for everyone to download for FREE.  We will also make one printed copy for each team to be used in league first place plaques.  If your team doesn’t win the league, we will give you your printed photo at week 7 awards.

Wild Mountain Team Photos are scheduled for the following races:

• WMFRI – Week 5 – February 3
• WM Sunday Races – Week 5 – February 5

Buck Hill Team photos are scheduled for the following races:

• BHWEDD – Week 3 – January 25
• BHWEDP – Week 3 – January 25
• BHTHUR – Week 4 – January 26
• BHSUN AM & PM – Week 4 – January 29
• BHMON – Week 3 – January 30
• BHTUES – Week 4 – January 31

PRINTED NEWSLETTERS WEEK 3

Unfortunately, we ran out of time to get a printed newsletter for week 3 done in time to get to the Wild Mountain Friday and Sunday races.  The digital E-news covers everything in the printed newsletter.  Follow the links and find all the information you need to find!  Look for a printed version next week.

YOU CAN STILL FILL TEAM ROSTER SPOTS

Did you know you can fill open spots on your roster at any time? Even after week 3? The best thing to do is fill your 10 roster spots before the season. But we understand that people commit and then drop out at the last minute. We also understand that occasionally someone gets hurt or just can’t race anymore.

If you have a spot filled by someone who now can’t race, you can “sell” their spot to someone else. Just make sure that you notify the Ski Challenge office and have them check in at the registration table before racing. That way we can make sure they are in the computer and get their proper points and medal.

Ski Challenge budgets and rates are based on how teams are filled. By filling your team, you help keep fees down. Unfortunately, when rosters aren’t full, the fixed costs need to be spread out among fewer racers, so fees rise.

CHECK IN FOR LEAGUE RACES

You only need to check in once at your league races.  Once you have signed a waiver, paid, checked in, and picked up your bib and T-shirt you are set for the season.  If someone ends up replacing you mid season, you must check in with the Ski Challenge office to make sure we have all the information needed for the new racer.  Then you can transfer your bib to them.

CANCELLATIONS / MAKE UPS

Unfortunately, we’ve had a bumpy start to the season with the weather. Luckily, we’ve been able to schedule make-up dates. A few leagues are now behind on weeks. We will just keep the weeks going consistently and finish up with week 7 for each league.

• BHTUES – extended to February 21
• BHWED day and PM – extended to February 22
• BHMON – tentatively extended to February 27

We understand that some “normal” colder weather is coming at the end of January – the beginning of February. It’s a lot easier and safer to race in colder temps than rain and slush! So, bundle up, and let’s race!

GUEST RACING

You are allowed to guest race two times per regular season race league. The fee is $15.  We recommend that all guests register and pay online at least TWO hours prior to course inspection.  If you are unable to do this, you can show up at the hill and pay and sign up there.  Follow this link to register:  GUEST REGISTRATION  .

If you plan on racing more than twice for a specific league and there are still open spots on teams, you will need to join the league.  If all spots in the entire league are filled, then you may race as a guest more than twice per league.

The day of your guest race, check in at the registration table up to an hour prior to inspection.  You will get a temporary bib for the race.  You can race anywhere in the order.

BUCK HILL SUNDAY AM

This Sunday is a double race!  Our first race will start at the normal race time.  9:30 Inspection, 10 am race.  Everyone will take one run on each course based on the running order for the first week of the two weeks we are covering.  Once everyone has gotten their one run in each course complete, the course setters will tweak the course and make some minor adjustments.  Everyone can slip the courser and then we will start the next race based on the next week running order we are covering.

Awards
The awards ceremony will follow the completion of the second race.  It will be an abbreviated awards ceremony for each of the two races.  We will still honor Fastest, Fast and most improved of each race and then will shorten team awards depending on where we are at with time.

Having Double Headers is the last thing that we want to do.  We appreciate your patience and understanding with this situation.

NO BUCK HILL SUNDAY AM – on January 15

There is no race this coming Sunday, January 15 for the Buck Hill Sunday AM race.  Buck Hill is having a FIS race all weekend.  Sunday PM will still go on as scheduled.

Sunday, January 22 we will be having a double race.  This will be considered week 2 & 3.

BHSUNA – HUTCH

Please try and clean up the best you can after being in the Hutch.  Throw away any paper products and pick up any garbage that may have fallen to the floor.

TABLES IN THE BUCK HILL EVENT CENTER ROOM

If your team moves tables together for your race night in the Buck Hill Event Center Room, please move them apart and put in original place before you leave.  This will help our server for the night get the room ready for the next day.

Pre-orders – Don’t forget to use the pre-order forms and write when you estimate you will be coming in.  That way you will get your order in a timely manner.  If you order after you get it in, it will take a lot longer to get your food.  You can use the pre-order forms for both food and beverages.

REGISTRATION FEES DO NOT INCLUDE LIFT TICKETS

Just a reminder that your race fee of $170 is strictly covering all expenses and fees for racing.  You can go here to see more about fees:  RACE FEES.  All racers must purchase a separate lift ticket or have a season pass from the ski area.  Buck Hill offers a discount if you purchase your ticket ahead of time online.

FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM

You can find us on Facebook and Instagram!  We share many things on social media including our league racers of the week and photos from each race.  We also post information about schedule changes and cancellations.  Sponsor events and sales are shared too!

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.

LIABILITY FORMS FOR THE SEASON

Every Ski Challenge member needs to fill out a liability waiver online.  This only needs to be done once and will be completed if you fill out an online registration form.  If you did not register online, paid at the hill and signed a paper waiver, this only covers you for the race you signed at.  You still need to sign an online waiver.  You can go here to see if you have signed a waiver online:  ONLINE WAIVER PAGE

We will be sending an email after week 1 to all racers who have not set signed an online form.

Happy Retirement to Joel and Linda!

Joel and Linda have worked with Ski Challenge for 30+ years. They were an integral part of the formative years. Linda and Joel first worked for Patricia Lecy, the original owner of Ski Challenge. They helped set up leagues at Wild Mountain, Welch Village, Powder Ridge, Hyland, and Buck Hill. They also helped enormously at our Championships at Giants Ridge. They have decided to step away from Ski Challenge work and will be greatly missed!

INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM RANKING REPORTS

Want to see how you rank as an individual within your age group and overall?  Or, how your team is doing compared to the other teams in the entire league?  Follow these links to see it all!  These reports will be updated each Thursday of 2023

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

OVERALL TEAM RANKINGS

Did you know that Ski Challenge started in 1985 with around 35 people? It has grown to close to 1,000 racers. This year we will have 11 different regular season leagues to choose from for the regular season as well as two open races in December, and five open races in January and February. Some of our leagues will offer extra runs each week depending on number of registered racers.

All Wild Mountain leagues welcome all ages.
Buck Hill weekday/night leagues allow 13 years old and up. Buck Hill Sunday leagues at Buck Hill allow all ages.

This year, thanks to Chuck Reid, Ski Challenge will be implementing a new results program at the hill. This program will make computing and printing results much faster and more efficient. The program will also make reports easier to read for our Emcees.

The Race Camp at Jackson Hole is back this year. It is slated for December 8, 9, and 10. Championships at Giants Ridge are set for March 3, 4, and 5, 2023.

We are looking forward to a great season and can’t wait to see everyone!

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE 2022 SKI CHALLENGE SEASON

• 106 – Total Teams
• 99 – Total Events
• 938 – Registered Racers
• 47 – The average age of participants
• The highest concentration is in the 50-59 age group & 60-69 age groups (24% each)
• 23% – Female
• 77% – Male
• 5,011 – Total Racer Starts
• 3,750 – Buck Hill Racer Starts
• 1,261 – Wild Mountain Racer Starts
• 489 – Participants at Giants Ridge
• 59% – of participants surveyed who purchased season passes
• 60% – of participants surveyed took at least one ski trip outside of Minnesota regional area

We are currently in need of new staff members at Wild Mountain.

UPDATED JULY 31:  We have filled our WMSUNA and WMSUND openings.

Still need:  Emcee or Computer help for WMSUNP and Emcee for WMFRI

Description of Positions and Duties:

Position 1 (Computer)

• Set up check in table 1-1/2 hours prior to race time
• Registration/Check in
• Computer Results
• Assist with Awards – Take Photos
• Clean up
• E-mail results to Ski Challenge Office ASAP

This person needs to be well versed in Excel and able to e-mail and transfer files.

Position 2 (Emcee)

• Set up Check in table 1-1/2 hours prior to race time
• Registration/Check in
• Assist Computer Person (write out awards)
• Emcee Awards
• Clean up

This person needs to be able to speak in front of a group

The following will also need to be done at each race by either staff member:

• Hang running orders and any banners
• get files and racer changes/guests to timers prior to race start
• Take Photos outside

For either one of these positions, you may also be needed to meet outside of the specific race time/day to drop off and pick up supplies for the week.

These positions are paid (modestly) and have a lot of perks. You need to be able to commit to seven weeks (or find a sub among our other workers), and also help out a small amount at our Championships at Giants Ridge.

You are also able to compete in the race that you work at. You may not be able to race with your team at certain times but that is a rare occurrence.

Call Barb at the office at 952-894-9220 or e-mail to info@skichallenge.com for more details.

March 5, 6, 7, 2021 at Giants Ridge. 

We are doing our best to offer a fun filled weekend of racing.  A few things will be a bit different from past years due to the ongoing Covid Rules and Guidelines.

Everything will be outside this year except for check in.  We will not be having awards in the garage this year.  And, we will not have any evening awards presentations in the main chalet.  See below about Giants Ridge’s policies for indoor spaces.

CHECK IN:  Racers will be able to check in and boot up in the Sprung Building/ Sports Pavilion at the bottom of the hill right above the parking lot.  Only 15 people will be allowed inside at one time.  Once you are checked in and booted up, you will need to take all your belongings out and store them in your car.  We encourage everyone who is able to get dressed and booted up prior to coming over to the race venue and check in.

PARKING LOT:  Racers are welcome to tailgate in the parking lot as long as they are keeping the proper social distance of 6′.  Giants Ridge is tentatively going to have some food and drink available for purchase at the races.

AWARDS / RESULTS:  Tentatively, Results and awards will be given out after each race in a designated spot in the parking lot.  We will be doing this even after the Friday Open Race and King and Queen of the Hel.  No gatherings or awards are allowed inside and we will not be using the garage this year.  We will still have great prizes for the the winners of the Friday Team Open Race and the King & Queen of the Hel Race.  We will also have Plaques for each Team Division winner.  Door prize winners will also be drawn after each race.  We do not plan on handing out neck medals or pins this year.

DIVISION TEAM RACING:  Depending on the number of racers signing up this year, we may move to have all Division racing on Saturday.  All Division Team Racing will be held on Innsbruck.  What this means is we would be running two divisions at once.  Plaques would still be awarded to the winning team in each division.  Divisions will be determined on Monday, February 8 after Week 5 is complete

CAPTAIN SURVEY:  A survey was sent out to all captains on Monday, February 1 to find out if their team(s) are planning on participating.  This helps us to determine an approximate number of racers and helps us to determine the schedule for racing.  GO HERE TO FILL OUT SURVEY

REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS:  Will open on Monday, February 8

INDOOR SPACES:  Giants Ridge’s Burnt Onion Restaurant and Main Chalet can be used by reservation only.  Follow this link for more information:  BURNT ONION RESTAURANT

Go here for GIANT’S RIDGE COVID POLICIES

MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS INFORMATION

For Team Photos this year we will be following the State of Minnesota COVID guidelines.

• Each team will meet at the bottom of the race run after first runs.
• Racers will line up in one line, shoulder to shoulder.  No one will stand in front of anyone.
• Masks must be kept on the entire time.  (This will give us great memories of this crazy year and will sure make us appreciate “normal” years)

Most leagues will get photos taken at week 5.  Because of Super Bowl Sunday, a few of our leagues will get photos taken at week 4.  Please note below.  This information can also be found on our Calendar

• BHSUNA – Week 5 – January 31
• BHSUNP – Week 4 – January 31
• WMSUNA – Week 4 – January 31
• WMSUND – Week 4 – January 31
• WMSUNP – Week 4 – January 31
• BHMON – Week 5 – February 1
• BHTUES – Week 5 – February 2
• BHWEDD – Week 5 – February 3
• BHWEDP – Week 5 – February 3
• WMWED – Week 5 – February 3
• BHTHUR – Week 5 – February 4
• WMFRI – Week 5 – February 5

Photos will be posted online and FREE to download.