Team Afton’s racers compete as part of Region One, one of 4 regions comprising U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Central Division. It is helpful to become familiar with:

• U.S. Ski & Snowboard Region One website http://www.skifast.com (includes Calendars, Volunteer Sign-up -- Dibs, and general race information)
• U.S. Ski & Snowboard Central Division website: Rocky/Central Website

Racers register for the races they plan to attend on skireg.com. Detailed information about race registration and the race calendar is distributed to parents and athletes at the beginning of the season.

U14 and Under - USSS "Non-Scored" Athletes

The U8-U14 programs, or U.S. Ski & Snowboard "non-scored" programs, offer the height of training and racing opportunities for young athletes. Beyond simply advancing in ski racing skills, these programs aim to foster broader personal growth. Key developmental benefits include:

• Self-Confidence: Athletes gain experiences that help them develop self-confidence.
• Life Skills: The program contributes to acquiring skills that help them be more successful throughout life.
• Goal Setting: Athletes are encouraged to set goals with themselves and the coaching staff.
• Teamwork and Relationships: The emphasis on training and racing together as a team allows athletes to build relationships with teammates that can last a lifetime.

The Planet Cup Series is the designated competition platform for these "non-scored" racers. The series includes US Ski & Snowboard racers from a variety of teams within Region One, specifically Team Afton, Buck Hill, Team Duluth, Team Gilboa, FAST, and BWT. All relevant information, including standings and announcements, can be found at skifast.com/planetcup

Race registration fees, lift tickets and lodging (as necessary) at each race venue, are the responsibility of each athlete.

Planet Cup races are "non-scored" meaning that while the athlete’s races are timed, they are not scored by US Ski & Snowboard’s national point system. U14 athletes have opportunities to participate in certain designated "ski-up" races, however, as point scoring opportunities in this way.

Races are typically scheduled on Saturday and Sunday at different ski areas within Region One. Athletes have the flexibility to self select participation and are not required to participate on both days, or at all races. While not mandatory, the more races an athlete attends, the better the chances are for collecting points in the Planet Cup Series. At season end, Overall Planet Cup winners will be determined by assigning points to each athlete's 13 best finishes (6 SL runs, 7 GS runs).

U14 Regional Championships in Central and U14 Rocky/Central Junior Championships in Colorado

The Central U14 Regional Championships take place over 3 days in February and offer an opportunity for our U14 athletes to compete against the top racers from across the Midwest. The top 100 U14 men and women advance to the U14 Rocky/Central Championships in Colorado mid-March. Competition takes place over 4-5 days, including Super G training, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom and Parallel Slalom. While athletes don’t need Super G skis for any races during the Planet Cup series, they will need Super G skis for the Junior Championships. Team Afton has a reserve of these skis available for borrow for this reason.

Each athlete’s family is responsible for the athlete’s registration fees as well as travel, lodging, lift tickets, and food expenses for the event. Team Afton subsidizes fees for elite race events such as this, capping coach fees at $250 per athlete.

U14 and Older - USSS "Scored" Race Series

US Ski & Snowboard races for U16, U18, and U21 athletes are “scored” races, meaning that an athlete’s race results are part of the national point system. U16, U18, and U21 racers aim at reducing their points which are calculated on a national scoring system and can be looked up at myusss.org. Region One race results are posted on Region One’s website http://www.skifast.com. Racers compete in Region One’s US Ski & Snowboard Series which includes all U16, U18, and U21 racers from Team Afton, Buck Hill, Team Duluth, Team Gilboa, Mt. LaCrosse Ski Team, FAST, and BWP.

Racers may compete in any Central Division race on the regular season calendar. Racers and families are encouraged to create individualized schedules, including possible NorAms, SYNC, Colorado Cup, Eastern Cup, or FIS-U races, as well as technical development camps, speed development camps, or other Out-of-Division events, with the Program Director and Head Coach to support appropriate development. Coaching support for non-calendar events or Out-of-Division events is $75/day.

Regional Championships and U16 Rocky/Central Junior Championships in Colorado

The U16 Regional Championships take place over 2-3 days in February, typically in Michigan, offering an opportunity for athletes to compete against the top racers from across the Midwest. 70 of the top men & women advance to the U16 Rocky/Central Junior Championships in Colorado mid-March. Competition takes place over 7 days, including 2 days of Downhill training, Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom races. Central Division athletes do not need Super G and Downhill skis for the regular US Ski & Snowboard season, however they will need skis for the Super G and Downhill events at the U16 Junior Championships. Team Afton has a reserve of these skis for borrow.

Each athlete’s family is responsible for the athlete’s registration fees and travel, lodging, lift tickets, and food expenses for the event. Team Afton subsidizes team fees for elite events such as this, capping coaching fees at $250 per athlete for the entirety of the event.

FIS Program

Once athletes become a U19 (3 year span – ages 16-17-18), they are eligible to compete in International Ski Federation (FIS) races with results based on an international scoring system. FIS points and information relating to FIS racing is available on the FIS website. There are very specific rules about ski length for FIS athletes. Racers should plan for equipment needs with Program Director well in advance of season start.

Team Afton’s FIS racers compete in the Mid-America (MidAm) and Canadian-America (CanAm) race series with other FIS racers from the Central Division, as well as other FIS racers whose points qualify them to compete and are invited to these races.

There are usually 4 race events that comprise the MidAm Series, each of which are typically 3 day events at venues such as Nubs Nob, Boyne Mountain, Spirit, Lutsen, or Mt Lacrosse. The MidAm races serve as the qualifying competitions to determine eligibility to compete at the National U19 Junior Championship competition. MidAm standings are posted on the Selections page of the Central Division website. The MidAm season concludes with MidAm Championships, 4 days of racing at Lutsen.

FIS racers are required to register and pay a registration fee for each race event, in addition to covering the costs of travel, lift tickets, lodging and food. While we do not charge extra for our FIS racers as many programs do, Out-of-Division races, or non-calendar races are subject to an additional $75 per day per athlete coaching fee.

National Junior Championships

At the U16 and U18 level, the top athletes in the country can qualify for a national championship competition. Team Afton has had many athletes qualify over the years for this level of competition.

US National Championships

An athlete’s international ranking (FIS points) determine eligibility to compete in the US National Championships. Over the years, Team Afton has sent many athletes to compete in this exciting competition.

Regional Finale Races

Athletes who do not attend the U14/U16 Rocky/Central Junior Championships, U18 Junior National Championships, or US National Championships are invited to compete in regional finale races held in early and mid-March.