|
 |
Welcome to the Far West Masters!
If you are a new visitor to our site, you may wish
to visit the Information pages to learn more About masters racing.
See the How To Join page for membership information
and applications. We are open to all and welcome new racers!
Masters ski racing is the premier adult ski racing series in the country.
We are governed by United States Ski & Snowboard competition rules,
the sanctioning body in the US for organized ski racing at all levels from juniors
up through international and Olympic competition.
Far West Masters organizes US alpine masters competition in the
Far West division.
Our yearly schedule includes all disciplines (SL, GS, SG, and DH),
with races held mainly at ski areas in the central Sierras.
Racers from 21 to over 80 years old compete in ten-year age groups.
Top News Items
- Fall Newsletter and Membership Package
The Fall issue of the Forerunner newsletter is out!
Click the link below to read online or download your copy.
The Fall newsletter as well as previous issues of the Forerunner from past seasons
are always available on the Newsletters page.
Electronic copies of the Forerunner are sent out on the news email list
to all recent members of Far West Masters. If you purchased a print subscription
to the newsletter last season, you will also receive a copy in the mail.
The Fall issue is packed with news about the upcoming season, including the complete
season schedule and the Far West Masters membership package containing information
on the 2018-2019 program and membership options for new and renewing members.
Please get your Far West Masters membership in to Membership director Mary Feddis
by Nov. 16 so she has time to process everyone's application
and ensure that our membership records and bib assignments are up-to-date for the
coming season. Membership renewals received after the deadline are subject to a $5 late fee.
(Note: late fees are only applicable to renewals.
New members may join anytime during the season without late fees!)
REMINDER: don't forget to renew your U.S. Ski & Snowboard masters membership!
Early renewal deadline is Oct. 15 and a $25 late fee will be charged for late membership renewals.
Online Membership Renewal: We're very pleased to be able to offer
online membership renewal again this season through our Far West Masters race series
on SkiRaceReg.com. The online membership options allow you to pay your membership dues
using the same online account that you use to sign up for races and pay race entry fees.
You will also have the option to purchase a print subscription to the Forerunner newsletter
if you wish to receive a copy in the mail in addition to the electronic copy distributed
to all members. Joining online is quick and easy, highly recommended!!
Coming Soon: Membership renewal on SkiRaceReg.com will be opened next week; webmaster
and race series administrator Deb Lewis will be working over the weekend to install
all the 2019 season information so we can open for membership renewal as soon as possible.
We're a little late getting the 2019 updates posted, please be patient - we're doing a
major internal renovation of the web site to enable improved capabilities
and a modernized design for the coming season.
[04-Oct-2018]
- Preliminary 2019 Schedule
The preliminary 2018-2019 race schedule is now available.
Scheduling Director Mike Braun has worked hard to put together a race schedule
which offers diverse competition opportunities at areas in Far West
with a proven ability to host excellent events.
Although there are still a few details being settled, we believe
the preliminary schedule is essentially complete and should provide a fun
season of racing opportunities.
A highlight of the season will be the Masters National Championships at
Far West's own Mammoth Mountain on March 18-23. This is a 4-event nationals,
with the DH championship along with the triple-combined SG/GS/SL championships.
[07-Aug-2018]
- May Forerunner newsletter
The end-of-season May issue of the Forerunner newsletter is out
with season wrapup and spring news stories to jog your skiing memories as
everyone shifts into summer activities. Newsletter editor Hamish Butler has pulled
together stories from the final events of our season, along with reports
from the March FIS Masters World Criterium at Big Sky MT and news about some of
our scholarship athletes.
Click the link below to read online or download your copy.
The March newsletter as well as previous issues of the Forerunner from past seasons
are always available on the Newsletters page.
Electronic copies of the Forerunner are sent out on the news email list
to all recent members of Far West Masters. If you purchased a print subscription
to the newsletter this season, you will also receive a copy in the mail.
[10-Jun-2018]
- Mammoth Season Finals info
After a late-arriving burst of winter made March into a big snow month in the Sierras,
Mammoth Mountain has a great base going into spring for hosting our Far West Masters season
finals on Thu-Fri-Sat Apr. 12-14. As announceed in mid-March, we have changed the original
event schedule to finish with SG and GS races, as a number of GS races on our original season schedule
had to be changed to SL races during our dry January and February months.
On Thursday, we will have two SG races, followed by 3 GS races on Fri-Sat.
SG training will be available on Wednesday 4/11 for $25 for those who have the flexibility to
arrive early. We encourage any who can make it to participate - any opportunity for speed training
is a bonus. Having an opportunity to "get up to speed"" makes your race day safer and more fun!
Our season banquet will be on Saturday evening. Signups are open on SkiRaceReg (be sure to click
on the Races page or "Upcoming Races" in the left sidebar to access the banquet signup, which
doesn't make it into the left sidebar). Price and additional details on the banquet will be posted
when available later this week.
Please also check your race signups to make sure you're entered in all three GS races on Friday and Saturday.
The original signups for the Saturday SL were brought forward for the final GS #3, but if you want to race
in the additional GS that was added you need to add that registration. (listed as "GS #2" on SkiRaceReg)
The early registration deadline is Sunday night 4/8. Online registration will be open
until 8pm Tue 4/10.
Remember that you can cancel entries until the close of online registration, so even if
you may have to change plans go ahead and register early.
[02-Apr-2018]
- May Speed Camp
Thanks to our "miracle March" series of spring storms, conditions are looking for good
for spring training camps. A Masters speed camp is being held on May 11-13 at Mammoth Mountain,
focusing on speed tactics, aerodynamics, terrain situations, and the proper mindset.
Coaches are former World Cup downhill star Marco Sullivan (a Far West scholarship alum!),
Chris Brigham (former US and World Cup speed coach), and Pierre Jeangirard, the higly respected
head coach of the Mammoth Masters program.
Registration details are provided on the information page (link below).
Discounted lift tickets and lodging packages at the Mammoth Mountain Inn are also available.
Sign up early, we expect this to be a popular camp that will fill up soon!
[28-Mar-2018]
- Big Sky FIS Masters World Criterium
A sizeable contingent of Far West racers joined competitors from around the US and 18 other countries
at Big Sky MT the week of Mar. 19-24 for the 2018 FIS Masters World Criterium, the "world championships"
of international masters racers. The field of over 300 competitors was split fairly evenly between US racers
and athletes from other nations, including large teams from Italy, Austria, Japan, and Canada.
The international flavor was apparent as soon as we arrived in Big Sky, with national team
uniforms and diverse languages flavoring the Huntley race headquarters area as competitors came through
to check in for the week's racing. Following a "warm up" day on Monday allowing competitors to
ski the race venues and explore Big Sky, racing opened on Tuesday with the Group B (men 55+) SG
on Big Horn and the Group C ladies opening with SL on Tippy's Tumble. Groups A (men 30-55)
and C women had their SG races on Wednesday, with the men again on Big Horn and the women on Hangmans.
All groups reported a good track for their SG races and fun racing!
On Thursday the B men moved to SL on Tippys while C ladies ran GS on Hangmans. Several inches
of new snow overnight required assistance from the competitors to help clear the race hills and
prepare the track. The final Criterium races were held on Friday with A men running GS on
Tippys and Group B on Hangmans for their GS. Once again all competitors started the morning
by assisting the race crews to slip new snow and prepare the hill for racing.
Friday evening a large turnout of competitors, family, and friends celebrated the conclusion
of the Criterium races with a relaxing banquet dinner at the Huntley Lodge.
The final day of racing on Saturday was a 1-run FIS Masters Cup GS for all groups.
However, snow began falling heavily just at dawn and continued steadily as the race crew
went up on the hill at 8am to begin course preparation and setting. With no letup in the
snowfall rate, the jury met at 8:45 and decided to cancel the race for safety considerations - it
was not possible to prepare and maintain a safe track for racing with the new snow.
While some competitors packed and began their travels home early, others went out
and enjoyed a final day of powder skiing before their departure.
Many thanks to the Big Sky resort and to Jeremy Uedell's race crews, along with the organizing
committee and many volunteers who helped put on this major event - it was a great week of
racing!
[27-Mar-2018]
- Mammoth Season Finals schedule change
Our final event of the 2018 season will the the season finals at Mammoth on Thu-Fri-Sat Apr. 12-14.
On Thursday, we will have two SG races, followed by 3 GS races on Fri-Sat.
*** SCHEDULE CHANGE: due to the number of scheduled GS races we have lost this season due to weather/conditions,
we are changing the planned final Sat SL to a GS *and* adding a third GS that will be split across Fri/Sat
so that we have 3 runs of GS each day for 3 races ***
The season finals banquet will be held on Saturday evening.
Details will be posted when available (we are working out the details on location and price with Mammoth)
The early registration deadline is Sunday night 4/8. Online registration will be open
until 8pm Tue 4/10.
Remember that you can cancel entries until the close of online registration, so even if
you may have to change plans go ahead and register early.
[15-Mar-2018]
- March Forerunner newsletter
The mid-season edition of the Forerunner newsletter is out!
It's been an up-and-down season for skiing in the Sierras, with some of
our planned race schedule impacted by the warm and dry conditions,
but despite a few changes to dates and discipline we've still managed to
get most of our events off. Newsletter editor Hamish Butler has pulled
together stories from the first half of our season, along with reports
from the February national championships at Okemo VT and news about some of
our scholarship athletes.
Click the link below to read online or download your copy.
The March newsletter as well as previous issues of the Forerunner from past seasons
are always available on the Newsletters page.
Electronic copies of the Forerunner are sent out on the news email list
to all recent members of Far West Masters. If you purchased a print subscription
to the newsletter this season, you will also receive a copy in the mail.
[07-Mar-2018]
- Mt Rose Schedule change
Mt Rose schedule change: 2xSL on Saturday 3/10.
The Mt Rose organizers have decided that we need to change next weekend's planned
race schedule from Sat-Sun GS races to two SL races on Saturday. Although
additional snow has fallen this week, the new snow is dry and light - great for powder
skiing, not so good for setting up to provide a good race surface.
We regret the loss of these GS races and the need to change our schedule, but Rose
believes that SL races are our best option in order to put on a good event.
We will be racing on the Slide side of Mt Rose, with checkin at the Winters Creek Lodge at
the Slide Mountain base area. Mt Rose will be providing complimentary continental breakfast
for all racers - a much appreciated welcome! Checkin will be 7:30-8:30am; start time will
be announced when schedule finalized, but expect an early start (likely 9:30) with 4 race runs.
All entries for Mt Rose GS races on SkiRaceReg will be retained - we have switched the discipline
to SL and moved the second race to Saturday. All registered competitors have been notified by email.
If you cannot race SL on Saturday, please log into your SkiRaceReg account and drop your entries
before online registration closes at 8pm on Wed. 3/7.
[03-03-2018 Sat 6am; updated 3/3 5:30pm]
- Heavenly and Mt Rose Race Info
Our next races are coming up on Friday March 9 with two SL races for the Viva Italia cup
at Heavenly (rescheduled from the originally planned dates in early January)
and the annual McKinney Cup races at Mt. Rose on the weekend.
Coming in to the end of February, Mt Rose felt it was unlikely that we could hold
the planned GS races due to limited coverage on some sections of the Silver Dollar race hill.
However, the storms arriving this week are bringing much-needed snow and we may still be able to run GS.
The fallback plan would be to switch to SL and run both races on Saturday 3/10.
Decision is expected by the end of this week and we will get the word out to everyone by this weekend
to allow time to plan travel arrangements.
Race registration is open on SkiRaceReg.com - the early registration deadline is
Sunday 3/4; online registration closes at 8pm on Wed. 3/7.
[01-Mar-2018]
- Northstar SL races
While there was certainly some disappointment that we were not able to hold the planned SG-GS races
at Northstar on Feb. 23-25, due to the limited snow coverage in this unusually dry winter,
the revised weekend schedule of two SL races on Saturday and one on Sunday turned out to
be an excellent event. The SL courses were set on the upper section of Loggers Loop and
the race hill was in excellent condition, thanks to outstanding work by Eric Whittaker's
race crew as well as the preparation by the Northstar grooming crews.
Saturday's weather was surprisingly chilly, with overcast skies and strong winds making it a challenge
for competitors and crew to stay warm through 4 runs of SL. We were all glad to convene at the
post-race party for refreshments and warmth. (Thank you to Jeff Brown and Tahoe Mountain Realty
for providing us with a comfortable space for our party!!)
Making up for the unexpected dose of winter weather on Saturday, Sunday was a gorgeous day
with sunny and warmer conditions making for a really fun final SL race.
Everyone went home with smiles on their faces!
Complete weekend results are posted on the Race Results page
along with the updated Season Standings rankings for 2018.
[28-Feb-2018]
- Northstar Schedule Change
From our Far West scheduling director Mike Braun:
I wanted to get the word out to everyone regarding the schedule change
for our upcoming races at Northstar. I have been in contact with the
Northstar event staff and they have informed me that our scheduled
Super-G's and GS races cannot take place, due to lack of snow at the
bottom of the hill where those races would take place. The staff feels
very confident that they can put on slalom races at the top of the hill
and bring the finish up from the bottom.
The slalom course will be very similar in length to the last races at
Squaw and what we typically run at Heavenly. We felt that due to the
limited venues and lack of snow this season, this would be a great
option to get in some races up north.
Therefore, we will not be racing Super-G on Friday and no GS on
Saturday or Sunday. The current change and plan going forward will be
2 slalom races on Saturday, our awards party Saturday afternoon and
then 1 slalom on Sunday. So that's 3 slalom races at Northstar on the
weekend of February 24th - 25th.
We will be getting out information next week on how changes will be
made on skiracereg.com , and updated schedule times, etc.
If there any changes to the above updated schedule we will let everyone
know as soon as we hear.
[07-Feb-2018; updated 2/13]
- Mammoth SG's update and schedule change
Our next races are coming up in less than two weeks with the
popular annual speed weekend at Mammoth Mountain. The original schedule
planned for 2 SG's on Friday, 2 more SG's on Saturday, and a fifth SG on Sunday.
With the loss of our scheduled GS races in January at Heavenly and Squaw, however,
discussions among FW officers and members have led to the decision to change
the Sunday race to a GS.
Race registration is open on SkiRaceReg.com - the early registration deadline is
Sunday 1/28; online registration closes at 8pm on Wed. 1/31.
All entries on SkiRaceReg for the Sunday SG #5 are being retained for the change to GS;
all competitors signed up for in the event are being notified and there is plenty of time
to update your entries if the change to GS is a factor for you.
For those travelling to Mammoth, the lodging discount offer for competitors is good
for bookings through this Friday Jan. 26, so if you're interested see the race announcement
for details and check out your options before the end of the week.
[24-Jan-2018]
- National Championships and FIS Masters Criterium
This season, US masters have the opportunity to compete in two major events.
The annual Masters national championships will be held at Okemo VT on Feb. 6-10.
The unusually early scheduling of our nationals in February was an adjustment made
because in March the US will be hosting the FIS Masters World Criterium, the international
masters "world championships", at Big Sky MT on Mar. 19-24. Both of these will be
first-class events at proven venues known for offering outstanding masters racing conditions.
The national championships at Okemo VT will have SG, AC (Alpine Combined, formerly
called "Super Combined"), GS and SL. The Chief race hill where the SG and GS races will be held
is a fantastic race hill - those who competed in the 2014 Nationals or in the Eastern
championships in the past few years know that this is a great race hill for masters, with
rolling terrain and plenty of speed. The SL races will be held on the adjacent Wardance race hill,
also a good venue.
While the Western US has had a slow start to the winter ski season, the East has been gotten
a major dose of winter and has outstanding snow conditions. (And they've promised it will
warm up over the coming weeks!) Registration is open on SkiRaceReg.com and the New England
masters have provided great information on their web site to help visitors make travel plans.
The FIS Masters World Criterium is *THE* big event on the international masters
calendar and it is a privilege to host this event in the US. Big Sky is a proven and popular venue
for masters and they are working hard preparing to host hundreds of masters from around the world.
This is going to be a really fun event and interest is very high, so get your registration in and make
your travel plans early!
Note: there is a US entry quota of 200 athletes, which has already been reached.
Entries from Group A (younger men 30-55) and Group C (all women) are still being accepted;
additional signups for Group B (men 55+) will be put on a wait list in order of registration
until we have final entry estimates from other national federations in early March.
We hope to be able to get all interested US competitors into the event.
[DATE_POSTED]
- Fall Newsletter and Membership Package
The Fall issue of the Forerunner newsletter is out!
Click the link below to read online or download your copy.
The Fall newsletter as well as previous issues of the Forerunner from past seasons
are always available on the Newsletters page.
Electronic copies of the Forerunner are sent out on the news email list
to all recent members of Far West Masters. If you purchased a print subscription
to the newsletter last season, you will also receive a copy in the mail.
The Fall issue is packed with news about the upcoming season, including the complete
season schedule and the Far West Masters membership package containing information
on the 2017-2018 program and membership options for new and renewing members.
Please get your Far West Masters membership in to Membership chair Mary Feddis
by Nov. 13 so she has time to process everyone's application
and ensure that our membership records and bib assignments are up-to-date for the
coming season. Membership renewals received after the deadline are subject to a $5 late fee.
(Note: late fees are only applicable to renewals.
New members may join anytime during the season without late fees!)
Online Membership Renewal: We're excited to be able to offer
online membership renewal again this season through our Far West Masters race series
on SkiRaceReg.com. The online membership options allow you to pay your membership dues
using the same online account that you use to sign up for races and pay race entry fees.
You will also have the option to purchase a print subscription to the Forerunner newsletter
if you wish to receive a copy in the mail in addition to the electronic copy distributed
to all members. Joining online is quick and easy, highly recommended!!
Note: the first time you sign into your SkiRaceReg.com account at the start
of the season, you will be told that your account is "inactive" and needs to be reactivated
for the new season. You didn't do anything wrong, this happens every year!! We need to
make sure that the contact and payment information for your account is up-to-date, so just
follow the instructions on each page, it should only take a few minutes.
We've put together a "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) on about your SkiRaceReg.com
account and the signup/renewal process, so take a look at that if you're not sure what's
going on, or contact the Far West series administrators at raceadmin@farwestmasters.org
if you need assistance.
[08-Oct-2017]
- 2018 Far West Membership
Far West Masters membership will open on SkiRaceReg.com for the 2018 season
in the first week of October, along with race registration for the coming season.
The season membership information is now available and the fall issue of the Forerunner
newsletter will be published soon!
[01-Oct-2017]
- 2018 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Membership
We are no longer USSA masters - USSA is gone. (say what?!)
But fear not - our familiar USSA has relaunched the organization with a new name and imaging
this summer to better represent its role in an increasingly diverse world of snow sports competition.
Alpine sking is part of a larger family along with nordic skiing, snowboarding, freestyle, and freeskiing.
So we are now part of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, with a #OneTeam theme that emphasizes
the collaboration and sharing among snow sports competitors.
Alpine masters membership renewals are due Oct. 15.
Masters membership dues has increased by $10 this season to $100.
Late fees apply to all renewals after the deadline, so don't procrastinate!
Short-term masters memberships will cost $20 per day and may be purchased
for two events during the season (one or more days per event purchase).
If you are interested in competing in the FIS Masters World Criterium
at Big Sky MT in March, you must also purchase a FIS Masters license with
your masters membership. (If not purchased with your membership, the FIS
license can be added later in the season by contacting U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Membership.)
[01-Oct-2017]
- Preliminary 2018 Schedule
The preliminary 2017-2018 race schedule is now available.
Schedule VP Mike Braun has worked hard to put together a race schedule
which offers diverse competition opportunities at areas in Far West
with a proven ability to host excellent events.
Although there are still a few details being settled, we believe
the preliminary schedule is essentially complete and should provide a fun
season of racing opportunities.
Returning competitors will notice a few changes from "the usual" in this season's schedule.
The annual masters national championships will be held in the East this season, on the
relatively early dates of Feb. 6-10 which in previous seasons has typically been when
the western region championships are held. The national championship Downhill will
be hosted by Rocky Mountain at Ski Cooper on Mar. 8-11. Our "big event" in the west this season
is a big deal for masters everywhere: the FIS Masters World Criterium will be held
at Big Sky MT on Mar. 19-24. This is the world championships of international masters
racing and we expect a big field from around the world attending. The last Criterium held in
North America at Mammoth Mountain in 2012, so it's a big deal to be able to have this fun
event once again returning to the US.
Our Far West season opens in December with a few changes from recent seasons as well.
The season kicks off at Mammoth Mountain with two SL races on Saturday Dec. 2,
following the traditional post Thanksgiving masters training camp week
(preseason training camp details will be posted when available).
We return to Mammoth two weeks later for two GS races on Dec. 16-17. Mammoth is one
of the few areas with reliable early season conditions that can host a GS before the
holiday break, so we think this is a great opportunity to add GS to our early season mix
of disciplines.
Following a break over the holiday period, racing resumes
on Tahoe's South Shore with a 3 day event at Heavenly Valley on Jan. 5-7.
Friday features two SL races leading into GS races on Saturday and Sunday.
The Viva Italia Cup weekend is one of our classic events and we're looking
forward to exploring some new race terrain as Heavenly has renewed their
commitment to racing in recent seasons.
Our second event in January is another classic: the Bernard Cup at
Squaw Valley on Jan. 19-21. We will be racing GS on Friday and Saturday,
wrapping up with SL on Sunday.
February opens with 3 days of SG racing at Mammoth Mountain on Feb. 2-4.
After a break for the Okemo national championships the week of Feb. 6-10,
Far West racing resumes with a three-day event at Northstar on Feb. 23-25,
featuring 2 SG races on Friday and GS races on Saturday and Sunday.
On March 10-11, the McKinney Cup will offer two days of GS racing at Mt. Rose.
Our Far West schedule takes another break in mid-March to allow competitors the
opportunity to head to Big Sky for the FIS Masters World Criterium. Big Sky is
a rightfully popular venue for masters, with great race hills and a welcoming
Montana ambience, and the international flavor will add spice to the event.
The season finals will be held at Mammoth on April 12-14. There will be two SG races
on Thursday, GS on Friday, and wrap up with SL and the season finals banquet on Saturday.
[25-Aug-2017]
|
