Far West Skiing

Selections and registration are now open for the U16 Regional Project.

The U16 RPS project is set up as an opportunity to bring together top performing U16 athletes from the 5 WR Divisions for an early season training and race opportunity. The project will also select two girls and two boys to participate in the National Development European projects at Alpe Cimbra Jan 22-Feb 2, 2020 and OPA Cup Feb 3-14, 2020.

Please visit the U16 Schedules page to review selections and the registration process. All Registrations for selections and alternates MUST by in by Monday, November 18th by 5pm. 

Dave Van Ruiten, former Director of Racing at Sugar Bowl Resort, passed away on November 7, 2005.  He was the former Vice President of Far West Skiing, a tremendous leader and asset to junior ski racing in this region, and a highly respected professional.  He was instrumental in Sugar Bowl’s commitment and rise to national ski racing prominence over the past several years.  This special scholarship award to a Far West athlete with USST potential and financial need is named in his honor

Congratulations to the 2020 Recipients of the Dave Van Ruiten Memorial Scholarship as each athlete has earned a $1000 scholarship to be used on racer related expenses this season.

The Far West Masters Scholarship Program is now in our 29th year of raising funds to benefit Far West Junior ski racers. Over that time period we have awarded more than $1,000,000 in scholarship funds. There is no overhead. We are an incorporated 501(c)(3) public charity tax exempt organization. Our goal is to promote academic scholarship, citizenship and leadership within the ski racing community. It is also our goal to keep athletes involved in ski racing that might not otherwise have a chance without our financial support. We believe keeping athletes involved in ski racing keeps them focused, teaches discipline and helps them to be successful in the rest of their life endeavors.

We have some items that have been donated by Far West Ski Team Alumni as well as our local ski shops that are available for purchase to support our program. Additionally we have some helmets, stealth gear and speed skis that are available at no cost to any Far West athlete that is in need of this equipment. Please contact Eddie Mozen at [email protected] if you are interested in purchasing or obtaining any of these items. The pictures of these items are modeled by a 5’11”, 155 pounder to give an idea of size…(Most of the sizes are little smaller than listed). 

Click here to download pictures

1)Dainese Yellow heavy weight parka. New. Size XS.  $50
2)US Ski Team Heavy down jacket. New. Size XL.   $250
3)US Ski Team Heavy shell parka. New. Size XL. $200
4)US Ski Team light weight down parka. New. size XL.  $150
5)US Ski Team Womens pink lightly padded Parka (used once by Stacey Cook) size 14.   $200
6)Rain parka size large.  $75
7)US Olympic Team 2016 hybrid pullover. New. Size L.  $100
8)US Olympic Team 2010 Polo sweater. New. Size M-L.  $50
9)US Ski Team Downhill suit. New. (Thanks Stacey Cook!). womens size small.  $300
10)Sweet GS helmet size s/m New. $100

We also have for giveaway for use of any Far West Athlete:
Helmets….some new, some used
POC-GS size medium
Uvex Sl helmet large
Uvex SL helmet small
Dianese Sl helmet medium
Shred Sl helmet large
Stealth undergarmets and training shorts…
Upper stealth…size small
Lower stealth…size small and medium
Training shorts… size small and large

Speed skis. All with bindings (these are best for U-16s or Masters as they are not current FIS approved)
Rossi DH 212cm
Atomic DH 210cm
Atomic DH/SG 212cm
Rossi SG 201cm
Atomic SG 195cm

Congratulations to the 2020 Season Far West Ski Team.

The 8 Women and 3 Men that qualified for this years team have less than 70 points in two disicplines as a man and 80 points or less in two disciplines as a woman. Two of these athletes qualified based on their results at Regional Championship events.

Congratulations to the following athletes, alpha listing:
Women's FWST
Tea Kiesel, Erica Lynch, Sasha Mueller, Madeleine Roberts, Piper Sage, Georgie Sullivan, Maya Wong and Anna Zaruby.

Men's FWST
Isaac Mozen, Winston Pretti and Charlie Regelbrugge

Click here for listing with athlete pictures

Far West Academic Team recognizes Srs - U16 athletes from the 2019 season (YOB 1997-2004) that raced as Far West members whose GPA for Spring Semester was 3.5 or better. These athletes were be registered Sr-U16 during the Spring Academic period. 

Congratulations to the following athletes on their successful Spring academic period and wishing everyone a wonderful 2019-2020 School Year.

There are no changes to the Far West pricing structure for the 2020 season. The National Membership pricing structure is increasing after many years due to fees for safesport training and background screening for all that are 18 years of age and older. 
 

To All Parents and Coaches involved with U12 and younger athletes, take a moment to catch up with the rules that were passed during the 2019 May Congress Meetings. These rules go into affect for the 2020 season and are a goal to cut down on the cost of ski racing plus being aware of the environment and health of the athletes. 

Rule 1:
At U12 and under competitions. We recommend each division hold two races next season (2019-2020) that do not allow speed suits showing.

Rule 2:
U12 and under competitors are only allowed to use one (1) pair of skis per race (inspections & competition). Parents, coaches or technicians are not allowed to furnish additional pairs of skis for use during race day inspections or competition. Non-compliance may result in NPS or depending on circumstance, DSQ (proven violation after start).

Rule 3:
U12 and under competitors should refrain from using fluorinated wax. In any case, application of any type of waxing solution must not be applied at U12 and under competition venues. Use of ski preparation benches at the U12 and under competition venue is not allowed.

The Grand Prix series is scored for U19’s as a series to qualify for scholarships to be used for the following season. The places are determined by adding up the total World Cup Points earned during ALL the races listed in the Grand Prix series for that season. Each race is scored by separating only the U19 class. Foreign, out of division, current USST and U16 participants in each race are removed and results are sorted by class prior to assigning WCP’s for each race. Athletes must have competed in at least half of the scheduled Grand Prix races in order to qualify for the scholarships.

Overall Champions from the Grand Prix Series will be awarded the following:

            1^st  place – U19 men/women       $1800 Scholarship 
             2019 Recipients:    Gunnar Barnwell and Maya Wong

            2^nd place – U19 men/women       $900 Scholarship
             2019 Recipients: Chili Messner and Jillian Larrabee

            3^rd  place – U19 men/women      $600 Scholarship
            2019 Recipients: William Lewison and Elizabeth Scott

Full standings can be viewed on the U19+ Schedules and Results page under the Grand Prix Standings Section.

Congratulations to this years recipients, funds are available for use after July 1, 2019!

During the Holiday Training Block all U12 families should have received their own copy of the Far West Development Initiative book from their Program Director or Head Coach. 

What is the Far West Development Initiative?
Mission: Support collaboration of divisional programs and coaches in the development of successful Far West ski racers, with the goal of being the best Division in the Nation.

The purpose of the Far West Development Initiation book is to be a valuable resource for each athlete/parent/coach. In it are the fundamentals of ski racing - the absolute basics that even the best World Cup racers come back to refine. It is a visual guide to see how the fundamentals are executed at the highest level. The guide is desgned to be used by the athlete and parent. At the rear of the manual are key concepts that are illustrated by photos.  A seperate 'Coaches Pocket Guide' was also developed to allow the coaches to use these key concepts and visuals on the hill, too!

The guide is designed to help the athlete, and includes a 'Parent's Corner' too.  A section devoted to parents on 'How to support your athlete', information on equipment needs, plus the National/Regional and Divisional Structure. A glossary of terms that the programs of the Far West agree will help all coaches, athletes and families speak in the same terms as athletes develop.

The book is a colaboration of Far West Program Directors and Head Coaches along with experts in the field to bring the best Development Initiative Book to each and everyone of you!

Is it avaialbe and usable by age classes outside of U12? Absolutely!
The Far West Development Initiative book is a valuable resource for all age classes and can be purchased on the Far West website by either visiting the FWDI tab across the top bar of the Far West website, or by clicking on this FWDI link.

This Development Initiative provided to each U12 family and U12 coach was funded by private donations as a valuable resource in the progress of each athletes journey in ski racing. If you would like to donate towards the Far West Development Initiative please click here.
Far West Skiing is a 501c3 California not for profit organization and all donations are tax deductable.

Questions about the Development Initiative? Contact the Far West Skiing Office, [email protected]