Ski Racing - March 12, 2012

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS WINTER PARK 2012

FROM THE SLOPES OF ASPEN TO THE HEART OF AMERICA, TOWN RACING LEAGUES BRING TOGETHER RACERS FROM 4 TO 85 YEARS OLD By Susan Theis

Ever heard of the Mother Buckers? How about the Samurai Squad? Or perhaps you know Team YBC — as in, “you’ve been chicked.” These are just some of the teams that are part of Minnesota’s Ski Challenge. With 1,900 athletes and 15 races a week at three different ski areas — Buck Hill, Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area, and Wild Mountain — the program is one of the largest ski leagues associated with NASTAR in the country. While the average Ski Challenge racer is 41, the youngest is 4 and the oldest is 85 years old.

The Ski Challenge was created in 1985 to give adults a competitive outlet, similar to a softball or bowling league. However, what sets the league apart from its counterparts in other sports is the opportunity to qualify to compete against professionals and world-class athletes in their sport. That happens at the NASTAR National Championships, which will be held this year at the end of the month at Winter Park.

Each Ski Challenge league includes 10 to 16 teams with up to 10 racers each. A championship race at Minnesota’s Giants Ridge, where teams get the opportunity to compete against other teams of similar ability, closes the season. Individual scores are sent into NASTAR for each participant to gain a national ranking.

“It gives people a chance to get out and work on their skiing in the Midwest,” explains Ski Challenge owner Barb Everson. “I’ve had many people tell me if they didn’t participate in the Ski Challenge they probably wouldn’t ski. And it gets them to commit, they have to go because their team is counting on them.”