Big Sky Ski Team

Program Menu & Handbook and Application Available Online

The 2008/2009 Program Menu and Handbook contains program descriptions, dates and prices; contact information; and important policies.  Every participant in BSSEF's Alpine, Nordic, and Freeride programs must submit a Membership Application along with full payment.  Both can be viewed at, and printed from, the Program Menu page.

• 11/15/08: early season discount ends for the Buddy Werner and Junior Development Alpine programs.
• 12/1/08: early season discount ends for the Youth Ski League (Alpine), Big Mountain Freeride, and Nordic programs.

OHG Race Rescheduled

The Over the Hill Gang races (SL/GS/Dual) have been moved to March 27-29, 2009, at Bridger Bowl Montana.  See the Northern Division website for more information.  The current competition schedule for YSL and Juniors can be found on the BSSEF calendar.

Vonn's Slalom Win

Lindsey Vonn, a speed event specialist, throws her skis sideways midway through her second run and still manages to win the first slalom race of the World Cup season.  Check it out:

West Yellowstone Nordic Trails to be Groomed this Friday

Here's the latest from the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation:

We talked to the groomer guru tonight and decided we will groom on Friday morning...If we do not receive any new snow, the South Plateau will be groomed...If we do receive enough snow, Yellowstone Track Systems will groom...Rendezvous Trails...Consequently, November trail passes will be required starting Friday morning.

Reminder: Enroll in USSA Officials' Clinic

Parents: if you haven't already done so, please enroll in the USSA Alpine competition officials' clinic to be held at Big Sky Resort on December 13-14.  Click here to learn more.

Alpine Training Contingency Plan

Jeremy Ueland is sketching out training alternatives in case Big Sky Resort doesn't open as planned on Thanksgiving weekend.  One possibility is to train at Brighton Resort outside of Salt Lake City.  Brighton is already open for the season, and it honors Big Sky Resort season passes.  Stay tuned for more information.

Board Meeting Rescheduled

Due to scheduling conflicts, the BSSEF board meeting originally scheduled for tomorrow, 11/20/08, has been tentatively rescheduled for after skiing on Saturday, 11/29/08, at Big Sky Resort.

Reminder: Order USST and Discounted Smith Optics Merchandise

If you are interested in "pro discount" Smith Optics mechandise or customized U.S. Ski Team apparel, you need to submit your orders soon.

Alpine Training Schedules for Nov - Dec Online

The training schedules  through 12/31/08 for the Junior Development, Buddy Werner, and (long) Youth Ski League programs are available online on the calendar page.  Click on a calendar item to view details.  Note that training programs are subject to change, so check the calendar on a regular basis.

The Nordic Season is Drawing Near

Here's the latest conditions report from Rendezvous Ski Trail:

Several inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, this is on top of the older snow from a week ago. Close to town is too thin and soft for good skiing, but on top of hill 191 the base is about four inches, very wet but very solid. Packed Rendezvous loop this morning and it is certainly skiable with rock skis. A lot will depend on temperature and additional snowfall. I would suggest skiing from the jack rail fence on the Plateau road for now, this could change by tomorrow morning.

11/15/08 Deadline for Buddy Werner & Devo Program Discounts

To be eligible for the early season discount on the Buddy Werner and Junior Development Alpine racing programs, you must submit your application and full payment by this Saturday, 11/15/08.  See the Program Menu for details.

Smith Optics Skier Support Program

BSSEF coach Ben Selznick has worked some magic with Gabe Schroder at Smith Optics.  As a consequence, BSSEF athletes and coaches may purchase any of Smith's goggles, helmets, or sunglasses at 40% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price.  Note, though, that each athlete or coach is limited to one sunglass order per goggle ordered.  After all, the idea is to support snow sports athletes, not take away business from Smith's retail partners.

If you would like to place an order (Gabe recommends the Cascade Comp goggle for Alpine racing), contact Jeremy Ueland.  Jeremy will submit a single order on behalf of the team.  You can view Smith Optics' product here.

Confirm Reservations for YSL Races at Showdown by 1/4/09

Per a previous post, Tina Coyle has arranged to hold a block of six rooms at the Spa Hot Springs Motel in White Sulfer Springs for the YSL Super G races at Showdown on 2/5/09 - 2/8/09.  Interested families must contact the motel directly and provide a personal credit card by 1/4/09 in order to confirm a reservation.

The Missoula ski team is feeling anxious about rooms, so the folks at the Hot Springs want to make sure that everybody else is actually going to use the rooms that are being held.

The number of the Spa Hot Springs Motel is 406-547-3366.

Order Customized USST Apparel by 12/10/08

Order your U.S. Ski Team apparel customized with the BSSEF logo by December 10th.  Hoodies, t-shirts, and caps are available.  Download the brochure here.

Submit your order (items, sizes, and colors) along with full payment to Jeremy Ueland at the BSSEF office by 12/10/08.  Jeremy will forward the entire team's order to the manufacturer.

WYSEF Ski Swap on 11/15/08

The West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation (WYSEF) is holding its annual ski swap next weekend:

• Drop off your consigned items at the Rendezvous Ski Trailhead Building on Friday, 11/14/08, between 4:00PM and 8:00PM.
• The swap is open to the public on Saturday, 11/15/08, from 8:00AM to 1:00PM.

Update: Discounted Big Sky Junior Season Pass

The good folks at Big Sky Resort are, for the first time, offering a discounted season pass for Juniors (11 to 17) who are paid participants in BSSEF programs.  The discounted price is $570, which is equal to the rate currently offered to Big Sky residents who don't participate in the special Ophir School pass program.  In effect, Big Sky Resort is extending its discount pass program to Junior racers who live outside of the Big Sky community.

Here's how the discounted pass program will work for the 2008-2009 season:

• Enroll in the appropriate BSSEF program and pay the full amount of the program cost.
• On a weekly basis, Jeremy Ueland will submit a list of paid participants to Big Sky Resort's accounting department.
• The accounting department will forward the list to the Big Sky ticket office.
• A week or so after you pay your fee to BSSEF, go to the Big Sky ticket office and buy your pass at the discounted rate.

Big Sky Resort supports BSSEF's Alpine programs in many ways: these discounted Junior passes; complimentary day passes for visiting coaches and race workers; season pass support for BSSEF's coaches; unrestricted use of Hangman's for gate training; use of Hangman's and other runs for races during the season; and use of the race shack at the base of the Ramcharger lift. Thank you, Big Sky!