All FIS and U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine races, all events at all levels, must be conducted on FIS or U.S. Ski & Snowboard approved trails, referred to as homologated or registered, following inspection and favorable report.

The applicable rules appear in section 650 of both FIS International Competition Rules and U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Competition Regulations. Clubs, areas, and organizers requesting homologations should familiarize themselves with the requirements per the rules for alpine courses, including the specifications for the events to be conducted – vertical drop and width in particular.

Places/venues need to determine if their interest is for FIS or U.S. Ski & Snowboard homologation, for which events: DH, SG, GS, SL, for full courses or entry-level/registered races (according to vertical drop). The processes, scheduling, inspection, and documentation are similar for FIS and U.S. Ski & Snowboard homologations - although different in some details.

The application to request homologation can be found on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website at the address above. Additional information is included with the request form. The initial steps of the homologation process include:

1. Completion of the application form and submission with the required fee to U.S. Ski & Snowboard Competition Services prior to Jan. 1 of the expiration year. Late fees of an additional $50.00 per course apply for applications received after Aug. 15 for FIS courses and after Sept. 15 for U.S. Ski & Snowboard courses.
2. Assignment of an appropriate inspector by the working group chair, based on the information provided on the application forms.
3. Contact by the assigned inspector of the responsible person indicated on the application to review the process and rules; schedule the required on-site inspection; and coordinate the development of the documentation and reporting.
   Once the inspector has been assigned and has contacted the responsible person at the place, the process is typically completed in the summer and autumn. Rehomologation may be completed on snow.
4. The inspector and the responsible person collaborate to compile documentation and verify data, organize and make the inspection, and complete and assemble the report and the required documentation for submission by the inspector.
5. The place (area or club or responsible person) covers or reimburses inspector expenses, any reimbursement is due at the time of the inspection.
6. When the report with documentation is complete and expenses paid, the inspector then signs and submits the report recommending homologation - or requiring additional work - or not approving (noting reasons for not-approving).
7. The FIS or U.S. Ski & Snowboard courses chair accepts the report recommending approval, assigns a homologation number, issues a certificate, and publishes digitally via FIS and/or U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

Once a course has been approved, the homologation or registration has validity limited to five years for DH and SG and to ten years for GS and SL after which reinspection will be required. In case of significant changes to a course, reinspection may be required sooner than this.

All new course inspections must be made in the off-season. Reinspections, in general, can be made at any time of the year.

Applications received prior to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard meetings in May will have priority in the assignment of inspectors. When possible, FIS inspections and reporting should be completed by September 30, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard by October 31, so that the courses can be listed and certificates issued prior to the start of the season. The working group cannot guarantee that inspections can be scheduled and homologations completed for any applications submitted after October 15.

Although U.S. Ski & Snowboard staff, members of the Alpine Courses Working Group, and other ‘key volunteers’ may communicate with a club or area about homologation needs, it is the responsibility of the club/area to initiate a request for homologation or re-homologation. Likewise, the inspector will guide and assist the club/area with the report documentation, but the area/club is responsible for its development, preparation, and completion to the satisfaction of the inspector and of the FIS or U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine courses chair.

Reports forms in PDF format may be found on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website. The documentation (exhibits) noted on the second page of each of FIS and U.S. Ski & Snowboard report forms and described in the rules is an integral part and is necessary for approval. Examples of reports and documentation may be found on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website, and the assigned inspector will provide information and direction.

(There is no guarantee that inspections can be scheduled and homologations completed for any applications submitted after October 15)

Completed reports with required documentation normally are due:

* FIS homologation includes USSA homologation for same event on that course
** Exception – U.S. Ski & Snowboard GS and SL on same trail, one common report: $150.00 per course

Fees for FIS and U.S. Ski & Snowboard homologations are due and payable to “U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Course Approvals” and are to be submitted with the application. These fees are applied as the homologation fees, with changes as appropriate following the inspection (additional or refund).

Inspector’s Expenses

Inspectors’ expenses, for both FIS and U.S. Ski & Snowboard homologation or rehomologation, are the responsibility of the venue (place) and must be reimbursed on request of the inspector.

In addition to expenses (travel, meals, etc.) inspectors are paid a daily rate of $180.00 per day for FIS inspections and U.S. Ski & Snowboard inspections. Inspectors are paid for travel days of four hours or greater as well as inspection days.

For further information on alpine course homologations, you may wish to contact an inspector near you.  While this may not be the inspector assigned to your ski area in response to your application, he or she can give you more information on requirements and procedures.