USSS race day info
From Hyland to the world.
Ski racing has its own map: a national governing body, regions, divisions, and the clubs that race each other every weekend. Here is where Team Gilboa fits, and what your racer needs to start.
The structure
Where Team Gilboa fits.
Follow the orange line from the international federation down to our club. Most weekends, your racer competes at the bottom two levels.
International Federation
FIS International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Racers 16 and older with a FIS license.
National Governing body
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Sanctions events, insures them, and educates parents, coaches and racers.
Regions Three across the country
Rocky/Central. Western. Eastern.
Divisions Inside Rocky/Central
Central Division 11 states, from the Dakotas to Ohio and Kentucky. Rocky.
Central regions Where we race weekly
Central Region 1 (CR1) Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Iowa. Races December through March. CR2. CR3.
Region 1 clubs Our home league
Team Gilboa Hyland Hills. Afton Alps. Buck Hill. Team Duluth. Mt. La Crosse. Three Rivers Racing. Apex Alpine.
Region 1 clubs as named in Team Gilboa's parent guide. Racers make friends across all of them; that is half the fun of race weekends.
Three ways to race
Start at home. Go as far as you like.
Team Gilboa athletes compete in three racing systems. Most racers begin at home and move up as their skills and confidence grow.
Jr. Races
Home races for younger athletes, organized and run by Team Gilboa at Hyland Hills. The Hyland Gold Cup runs on four Sundays each season. Jr. Race and High School Development.
USSS races
Longer courses, harder sets and stricter rules, sanctioned by U.S. Ski and Snowboard. Most are in Central Region 1, across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. U10 through U18.
FIS races
The international system and the most competitive racing. Racers must be at least 16, USSS members and FIS license holders. Few FIS races are held in the Midwest. Northstar FIS.
Age groups and points
U means under.
Age groups are set by birth year for the season. Through U14, racing is non-scored: racers are timed and results are posted, but the goal is a love of skiing, not a ranking. At U16, every race is scored.
U8
Born 2019 and 2020. Jr. Race, two nights a week at Hyland Hills, led by Krissy MacMahon.
U10
Born 2017 and 2018. Region 1 non-scored racing, led by Trevor Davis.
U12
Born 2015 and 2016. Region 1 non-scored racing, led by Trevor Davis.
U14
Born 2013 and 2014. Non-scored racing and the first championships, led by Trevor Davis.
U16
Born 2011 and 2012. Every race is scored, with a FIS Prep option. Led by Scully.
U18+
Born 2010 and earlier. Scored and FIS racing through national championships, led by Torey Greenwood.
990 points to start. Every U16 racer starts with 990 points and works to lower them over seasons. Points set the start order and rank racers against each other.
The disciplines
Alpine racing has four events.
Alpine racing has four disciplines. In the Midwest, slalom is the main event, and the only one Minnesota State High School League athletes race.
SL Slalom
Tight, quick turns through closely set gates. The predominant discipline in the Midwest.
GS Giant Slalom
Longer, faster turns. Most USSS races and above include GS.
SG Super G
A speed event, raced less often here. Speed camps for U14 and up focus on GS and Super G on longer venues.
DH Downhill
The fastest event. It requires qualification, is uncommon, and isn't held in the Midwest.
Before the first race
Three memberships, one deadline.
Every USSS racer needs a U.S. Ski and Snowboard membership and a Central Region 1 membership. FIS racers add a FIS license. Then you enter races one week at a time.
Buy the USSS license
At usskiandsnowboard.org by October 15, 2026. U12 and younger $110, U14 $236, U16 and older per the site.
Join Central Region 1
Region 1 membership is required to race. Championship and special events take a separate entry.
Add FIS, if racing FIS
Add a FIS license to your USSS purchase: $85 before August 15, $155 after.
Enter each race
Races open for entry a week or two ahead, in your U.S. Ski and Snowboard account. Register before the CR1 deadline that week. Each race carries an entry fee, and late entries pay more. How to register (PDF).
How many races? That is up to your family. Some race only within an hour of the Twin Cities, some pick one weekend away with teammates, some race every weekend they can.
Where we race
Hyland is home. These are the other hills.
Home races are at Hyland. Older groups and the U14 and up calendar also travel. The notes for every away hill are in Know the hill before you go, just below; the race email for each trip carries the specifics.
Buck Hill, Burnsville
The Chuck Stone slalom and the Donut Cup duals. Details for each Buck Hill race come in the race email.
Wild Mountain, Taylors Falls
The CR1 scrimmage and December slaloms. Cell reception is patchy, so download tickets before you arrive. The Gilboa tent can be set up.
Afton Alps, Afton
Included in the Epic Pass; otherwise buy tickets online ahead of time.
Giants Ridge, Biwabik
On-site lodging at Giants Ridge is limited and sells out, so book early. Breakfast opens after inspection starts, so bring breakfast or snacks. It tends to be cold: pack, and wax, accordingly. The Gilboa tent can be set up.
Mt. La Crosse, La Crosse
Hotels are in town, 10 to 15 minutes from the hill. Consider arriving with boots on. The lodge is small and crowded on race days, so bring food.
Mont du Lac, Superior
A weekend trip. Lodging sells out, so book early. Details for each Mont du Lac race come in the race email.
Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen
Can be cold. Slalom is usually reachable on foot; for GS, buy a lift ticket to ski over to the race hill, or ride the gondola and walk.
Snowriver Resort, Wakefield
Formerly Indianhead and Blackjack. Jackson Creek Summit and Black River Basin are about 10 minutes apart, so stay at the area where your racer's age group races. On-site lodging sells out early.
Venue guide
Know the hill before you go.
Tips from returning Team Gilboa families, with drive times from the Twin Cities. Book lodging early; many hotels fill before the season starts.
Frequently asked questions
Afton Alps, Afton, Minnesota (50 minutes)
Owned by Vail Resorts and included in the Epic Pass. Otherwise, buy tickets online ahead of time.
Giants Ridge, Biwabik, Minnesota (3 hours 15 minutes)
On-site lodging is limited to The Lodge and The Villas at Giants Ridge, and sells out. Off-site is 20 to 30 minutes away. Breakfast doesn't open until after inspection starts, so bring breakfast or snacks. This race tends to be cold. Pack, and wax, accordingly. The Gilboa tent can be set up.
Granite Peak, Wausau, Wisconsin (3 hours)
Hotels are 5 to 10 minutes from the mountain. Buy a multi-day pass to skip the long outdoor ticket line in the morning. Reserve dinner ahead; local restaurants fill up on race weekends.
Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen, Minnesota (4 hours)
Can be cold. The GS hill usually isn't reachable on foot; slalom usually is. Buy a lift ticket to ski over to the race hill, or ride the gondola and walk to the GS venue.
Mt. La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin (2 hours)
Hotels are in town, 10 to 15 minutes from the hill. Consider arriving with boots on. The lodge is small and crowded on race days, so bring food. Plenty of restaurants in town for dinner.
Snowriver Resort, Wakefield, Michigan (5 hours)
Formerly Indianhead and Blackjack. Drive through Superior, Wisconsin. Jackson Creek Summit and Black River Basin are about 10 minutes apart; stay at the area where your racer's age group races. On-site lodging sells out early.
Spirit Mountain, Duluth, Minnesota (2 hours 15 minutes)
Families split between the hotel next to the hill and Canal Park, 15 to 20 minutes away. Parking fills quickly, so arrive as early as you can. The lodge sits at the top; the race is on the hill below. Skis make watching easier.
Welch Village, Welch, Minnesota (50 minutes)
Cafeteria-style and bar food on site.
Wild Mountain, Taylors Falls, Minnesota (1 hour)
Cell reception is patchy. Download tickets before you arrive. Food service was renovated in 2023-24 and is still busy. The Gilboa tent can be set up.
Championships, 2026-27
Where a season can lead.
Racers qualify through the Region 1 season. Dates are from the club calendar, and all dates can change in a weather-dependent sport.
- Feb 18
Bob Hosking Central Championships
Snowriver, Wakefield, Michigan. U16 racers start Thursday, February 18, 2027, and U14 racers Friday, February 19.
- Mar 9
U16 Rocky/Central Championships
Steamboat, starting Tuesday, March 9, 2027. The Rocky/Central FIS Championships run at Copper Mountain the same week.
- Mar 14
U14 Rocky/Central Junior Championships
Vail, starting Sunday, March 14, 2027. U14 racers qualify at the Hosking Championships.
- Mar 29
U16 Nationals
Winter Park, starting Monday, March 29, 2027. For the U16 FIS Prep program.
U14 racers can also qualify for the Can-Ams at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. In 2021-22, six Team Gilboa athletes reached U18 Nationals, the most in club history; only Vail and Steamboat qualified more from the Rocky/Central region.
Ready for the first one
Now you know the map.
Racing memberships due: Thursday, October 15, 2026