USSA Membership and Racing
WEEKEND US SKI ASSOCIATION RACES ARE OPTIONAL. We travel as a team to weekend races in January and February, although they are individual, not team-scored events. USSA races are for skiers who are serious about racing and who hope to improve as much as possible. No previous racing experience is required. Coaches strongly recommend that students take advantage of this opportunity. Skiers who race USSA tend to improve much more rapidly and become more proficient, experienced ski racers. To join USSA, you need to complete an application (which requires a parent’s signature) and send it in with the registration fee. Each race has an entry fee of about $50, so it can get expensive, but you don’t need to attend every race. If you can afford it, it’s well worth the cost. Plus, it’s fun—students routinely comment on how much camaraderie is formed by participating in these races.
To do at start of season
-
Renew/sign up for new membership with USSA. Fill out the application, with parent signature, enclose payment, and mail directly to USSA. Make sure you read and sign the Waiver/Release of Liability.
State affiliation: write MA/Tri State
Club: Northfield Mount Hermon School
Division: Eastern
Membership type: check “Competitor”
- Renew/sign up for new membership with the Tri-State Alpine Racing Association, the regional organization within USSA that governs most of the races that we will be attending. Please mail directly to the address on the form, not to NMH.
To enter races
Check the schedule and decide which races you will attend. You may only attend races for competitors within your range of classification. That is, J3 racers attend J3 races, and older students (J2 or J1) attend the J1/J2/Senior races. Here are the age breakdowns:
J3: 13 & 14 year olds as of December 31.
J2: 15 & 16 year olds
J1: 17, 18, & 19 year olds
Fill out a
race entry card. Mail it with entry fee (check or money order, no cash) to the race organizer at least a week before the race. Or, send in all your entries at the beginning of the season, and if you decide to cancel, call the race organizer 48 hours before the race and you will get a full refund.
NMH Ski Team USSA Race Entry Contacts
MAIL ENTRIES FOR ALL RACES AT LEAST 10 DAYS EARLY! If you’re unsure whether you will attend a race, mail in the entry early anyway. If you need to cancel, you can get a full refund if you cancel 48 hours before the race. Check the
Tri State Ski Racing website for contact information for the races.
For information on races not listed here, check out the websites of these regional organizations:
Equipment Information
Skiers are responsible for providing their own equipment. This includes a helmet, skis, boots, and poles (helmets are required for all races and practices). Slalom shin & pole guards are recommended. NMH provides a team racing suit. Different skis for slalom and giant slalom are optional but suggested.
Students should have their own supply of wax as they will be tuning their skis every week. Other tuning supplies and equipment are provided.
Sources for Ski Tuning Supplies, Helmets, and Other Gear
The following sources offer tuning supplies, helmets, and other ski gear:
- ARTECH, 603-632-9152
- Great selection. Some of the best prices available. Small, family-owned business in New Hampshire.
- Tognar Toolworks, 800-299-9904
- Excellent catalog (offers many tuning tips and instruction), better prices than others.
- Reliable Racing, 800-223-4448
- Good selection, but expensive.
- Race Place, 800-814-7223