FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please reach us at the link above if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Is my child required to race if we join BEAV?
No! Racing is encouraged but not required. We find that most kids want to try races, especially at local competitions and then decide how much they want to race during the season.
Do I need to buy race skis? What equipment is mandatory?
SKIS: For very young or first-year athletes, a good-quality pair of all-mountain skis are more than sufficient. As athletes get older and their skills & motivation grow, they will want to invest in event-specific race skis. For our U8s through U14s, this will only include slalom (SL) and giant slalom (GS) skis; at the U16 level and above, skiers will also have the option to race Super-G (SG) and downhill (DH). Talk to the coaches and more experienced parents for information and guidance.
BOOTS: A quality pair of boots is vital for success as a ski racer. While we acknowledge it can be difficult to invest significant money in ski boots while athletes’ feet are growing quickly, it will greatly improve their ability to execute the technical and tactical aspects of alpine ski racing. Again, talk to the coaches and more experienced parents for information and guidance.
POLES: International and USSA bylaws require alpine ski racers to use poles in all events. For younger athletes who are not yet making contact with gates, it is sufficient to have a single pair of poles for training and racing all events. Older and more experienced athletes may choose to use straight poles with hand guards for SL and curved poles for other events. Again, talk to the coaches and more experienced parents for information and guidance.
HELMETS: Athletes racing in USSA-sanctioned events must have approved helmets. Helmets worn for DH, SG, and GS races must cover the ears; helmets worn for SL events can have soft ear protection. Helmets
with spoilers or edges that stick out are not allowed. U14 and older athletes must wear a helmet that meets new FIS standards but we recommend all athletes prioritize the purchase of a safe, well-fitting helmet that meets USSA and international standards.
GOGGLES: All skiers are required to wear ski goggles during trainingand racing. It is recommended that athletes have a high-quality pair of tinted goggles for training and races that occur during the day AND a pair of clear goggles for night training at Beaver Mountain. Rather than maintain multiple pair, athletes can also utilize a single pair with multiple lenses for various conditions.
GLOVES or MITTENS: BEAV athletes are also required to wear gloves or mittens during training and racing. Many athletes choose to have multiple pair/styles for different weather conditions.
What equipment is recommended?
BACK PROTECTION: One of the most important, and often overlooked, pieces of alpine ski racing equipment is a back brace. They come in many shapes, sizes, and styles, but they should be tight fitting over the athlete’s base layer, while maintaining enough flexibility for them to angulate the spine wile skiing. Talk to the coaches and more experienced parents for information and guidance.
TEAM JACKETS: please reach out to us if your athlete would like to purchase a BEAV orange team jacket. Be seen!
What equipment is optional?
SPEED SUIT: Your athlete certainly does not need a race suit in the beginning, but as they start racing more you might wish to get one. These can be purchased new or used, and are often sold or passed down from athlete to athlete on the team.
ARM and SHIN GUARDS: Younger athletes who are not yet making contact with gates, do not need to wear arm and shin guards. Older and more experienced athletes who are cross-blocking in SL and taking tighter lines in GS may choose to wear arm and shin guards. Again, talk to the coaches and more experienced parents for information and guidance.
Is a season pass included in race fees?
No, season passes are purchased separately. Athletes will need season passes for any mountain on which they intend to train. Beaver Mountain provides discounted pass rates for tuition-paying ski team athletes. Preseason and postseason on-snow opportunities are made more cost-effective by purchasing an IKON pass, which allows athletes (and families) access to more than a dozen nearby resorts in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and California.
How much do races cost?
Additional costs associated with racing include USSA membership, race fees, and venue lift tickets. Additionally, racers’ parents divide the cost of travel, lodging, and meals for the coaches who work at races. When your athlete attends a USSA-sanctioned event, these coaching expenses are divided up among the athletes who attend the race. For example, if two athletes travel to a race and one coach travels with them, the two families would split that coach’s gas, hotel, and per diem five ways. If ten athletes travel to a race and two coaches.