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Patrick Dempsey Joins the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board of Trustees

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
November, 16 2020
Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey hitting the slopes with his family. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

American actor and race car driver Patrick Dempsey has joined the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board of Trustees. 

“I am thrilled to join the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board of Trustees,” said Patrick. “I’ve been a passionate, lifelong skier and it was a childhood dream to make the U.S. Ski Team. I am excited to now be part of the team behind the team and support these athletes in their incredible endeavors.” 

To date, Patrick has competed in pro-am events such as the Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, as well as the Baja 1000 and IMSA TUDOR United Sports Car Championship. In addition, his focus on motorsports extends beyond the driver’s seat. Patrick is the owner of Dempsey Racing, and is co-owner of the Vision Racing team in IndyCar. 

Patrick is also an avid cyclist. As a result of Patrick’s positive involvement in the sport, he was named an honorary captain of the U.S. Cycling Team in February of 2020. Patrick’s role is part of USA Cycling’s effort to help promote both the sport overall and the U.S. Team at the upcoming 2021 Tokyo Olympics. 

In addition to Patrick’s work in sport and acting, his most impressive achievements have been philanthropic. He founded the Dempsey Center in Lewiston, Maine, an organization committed to making life better for those managing the impact of cancer. The Dempsey Challenge, an annual run, walk and cycling experience, is the primary fundraiser for the Dempsey Center, enabling the organization to provide its services at no cost. Patrick also serves as a national spokesperson for Positive Tracks, a national youth-centric nonprofit that helps the next generation get active and give back using the global power of sport.

As a child, Patrick dreamt of being a member of the U.S. Ski Team and pursuing the Olympic dream. This dream led him to win a Maine High School State Slalom Championship. However, his on-screen and other athletic pursuits took him in a different direction. Patrick never lost his love for the sport and makes sure to get on his skis regularly during the winter, averaging 24 days on the slopes. His favorite places to ski include the Austrian and Swiss Alps, Deer Valley Resort in Utah, and Sugarloaf in Maine. Last season Patrick added an impressive accolade to his name when he skied the Streif, considered to be one of the most challenging downhill courses on the FIS Alpine World Cup Tour, during the course inspection at the 2020 Hahnenkamm. 

His competitive spirit, passion, and respect for the pursuit of greatness are qualities that also resonate among U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes, members, staff, fans, and beyond. In a 2014 interview with the New York Times, Patrick said, “there’s something very satisfying about training. Psychologically and emotionally, the process and the inner desire that it takes and the mental focus it takes to be competitive is far more satisfying to me in many ways than acting.”

As a member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board of Trustees, Patrick’s involvement will directly support the same dreams and pursuits of U.S Ski & Snowboard athletes that he shared as a child. Patrick’s experience in sport, philanthropy, as well as his extensive network of like-minded individuals, will help support our athletes’ Olympic dreams for years to come. Welcome to the team Patrick.

Patrick on Social Media
Instagram: @patrickdempsey
Twitter: @patrickdempsey
Facebook: @patrickdempseyofficial
 

Diversity in Ski Racing: The Athlete Perspective

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
November, 13 2020
logo

On July 15, 2020, Henri Rivers, CEO, President and Founder of Drumriver Consultants, President of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, hosted a virtual panel “Discussing Racial Diversity in Snowsports.” The panel brought industry leaders and participants together for a frank conversation about the current landscape of racial diversity in the snowsports industry and began to talk through ways we can create a more inclusive community. Panelists included Snowsports Industries America Board Chair, Wendy Carey; NSAA CEO, Kelly Pawlak; Ski Coach and National Competition Director, Forrest King-Shaw; Winter4Kids
 CEO & President, Schone Malliet; Share Winter Foundation
 CEO, Constance Beverley; as well as U.S. Ski Team alumna, Lauren Samuels.

Please join us on Monday, Nov. 23, for our second panel in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s diversity, equity, and inclusion event series: “Diversity in Ski Racing: The Athlete Perspective.” Henri (moderator) and Lauren (panelist) return and will be joined by a talented group of African American ski racers to dive deeper into the topic of diversity in snowsports from the athlete perspective. Panelists include three-time Paralympian and 11-year member of the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team Ralph Green, U.S. Ski Team alumni Andre Horton and Suki Miller, as well as Dartmouth College Ski Team alumnus and former U.S. Ski & Snowboard employee Justin Samuels. 

“Diversity in Ski Racing: The Athlete Perspective” sets out to shine a spotlight on issues we otherwise may ignore or fail to recognize as a predominantly white industry. This panel will seek to take the audience on an educational journey by creating awareness through shared athlete experiences, highlight  common themes of racism that existed throughout these athletes’ ski racing careers, as well as discuss ideas on how we, as a community, can address these particular issues and create a more inclusive space within the snowsports industry. The audience will get to know the athletes, and understand how their athletic achievements have translated into professional success in their current pursuits. The conversation will not be easy, but one that leads to positive discussion.

Please register here and join us for what should be an illuminating event and a unique opportunity for the snowsports community. 
 

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Panelists

Henri Rivers (moderator):
Henri Rivers is a native New Yorker and an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast for over 45 years. He is a professional ski instructor, certified master teacher and children’s specialist as well as a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine coach, jury advisor, referee and official. He coaches in the Alpine race program at Windham Mountain in the Catskill region of New York.

Henri attended Marist College and received a B.S. in Biology in 1982. He worked for several companies as a construction engineer and project manager before founding and managing the Drumriver Companies.

Henri became involved with the National Brotherhood of Skiers in 1996 and has held many positions within the organization. He started as a club president and moved on to become the mid-west regional competition director. In 2003 he became a coach for the national team of NBS and in 2008 was appointed the Olympic Scholarship Fund Administrator. During his tenure as OSF administrator, he grew the national team to 15 athletes. In 2016 he was appointed the National Competition Director and in 2018 was voted in as the Executive Vice President of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. He served for two years and was elected National President of the NBS in March of 2020.

Ralph Green:
Ralph Green is an 11-year member of the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team and a three-time U.S. Paralympian (2006, 2010, 2014). While active as a ski racer he partnered with Cox, United Airlines, The Home Depot and Rocket Fuel as a sponsored athlete and brand ambassador. A former board member of Disabled Sports USA, Ralph is a motivational speaker with a strong emphasis on youth violence. He has an MBA with a marketing concentration from Keller Graduate School of Management. Currently, Ralph is a market sales manager at Frito Lay. His clients include King Soopers, Walmart, Safeway, Sam's Club, Target and the Air Force Academy. Ralph also serves on the Adaptive Spirit Board of Directors.

Suki Miller:
Suki Miller was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska and is a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage with degrees in journalism and mathematics. She started skiing at a young age at a very small ski area, Hilltop. Suki and her brother Andre qualified for the U.S. Ski Team with support from the National Brotherhood of Skiers. 

After ski racing, Suki worked in the private, government and non-profit sectors creating and communicating policies that promote healthy, culturally empowered communities. She is a passionate advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her time working on statewide initiatives cultivated an authentic appreciation for the vastness of Alaska, geographically, culturally and ideologically.

When not at work, Suki enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family, especially watching her toddler and the cousins “send it” down driveways and sledding hills. 

Andre Horton:
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, a quarter-mile from a nordic ski track, and a mile from a nordic ski jump and ski area, Andre Horton learned it all at a young age. He eventually focused on alpine racing and in his first out-of-state competition, finished on the podium. After graduating from high school Andre left for Wyoming to ski for the Jackson Hole Ski Club with his sister, Suki. Andre was named to the U.S. Ski Team and competed on the Nor-Am and Europa Cup circuits. He retired from the U.S. Ski Team in 2004 and joined the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors as an athlete representative through 2008. 

Andre has an MBA in entrepreneurialism from the University of Alaska College of Business & Public Policy - Anchorage. He launched his own software development company with a close friend, focused on Alaska’s prolific oil and gas industry. He launched various other companies before taking a mid-career detour from entrepreneurialism and executive consulting to become Firefighter/EMT in early 2019. Andre sits on the Board of Directors for Credit Union 1 still consults for various Alaska-based firms and ANC’s (Alaska Native Corporations). He is a talented photographer (www.andrehorton.net) and enjoys spending time with his family. 

Justin Samuels:
Justin Samuels was born and raised in Minneapolis and learned to ski at a very young age growing up in a ski family. Justin earned his BA in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College and his BE in Mechanical Design from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth. He skied for Rowmark Ski Academy and competed in J2 Nationals (what is now similar to U16 Nationals). Justin also competed in NCAA Division 1 ski racing as part of the Dartmouth Ski Team. 

After earning his BE, Justin developed PointsStalker, an iOS app that makes it easy to access any athlete’s FIS data. His professional history includes working for U.S. Ski & Snowboard as mobile systems manager, Brydge Keyboards as product manager, and BodyGuardz as director of product development. Justin recently took a new position with Fictiv as senior product manager. 

Lauren Samuels:
Lauren Samuels was born and raised in Minneapolis and learned to ski at age two. She started racing with Team Gilboa out of Hyland Hills, MN, and developed as a ski racer until she was named to the U.S. Ski Team’s development team in 2009 after winning J2 Nationals Overall and Super-G titles. During the 2010 season Lauren was cut from the U.S. Ski Team but dropped everything and moved to Utah to ski and attend school with Rowmark Ski Academy and competed on the World Junior Championship Team. For the next two seasons Lauren competed as an invitee to the U.S. Ski Team’s C Team racing on the NorAm and Europa Cup circuits. From 2013-2017 Lauren skied for the University of Utah’s NCAA Division 1 Ski Team and became a National Champion her senior year, during which she was Team Captain. 

She earned a BS in Athletic Training and completed her medical school prerequisites. After finishing undergrad, Lauren coached for two years at Team Gilboa, then Rowmark. Currently Lauren is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Oregon - Lundquist College of Business, studying sports product management with the intentions of pursuing a career in the sports and outdoor industry. She is also a member of both the University of Oregon - Portland and U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committees.

For more information on U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion in snowsports, please visit usskiandsnowboard.org.

 

Built Brands Named Official Protein Bar And Energy Gel of U.S. Ski & Snowboard Through 2022

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
November, 11 2020
Built Brands

U.S. Ski & Snowboard and leading protein and energy products company, Built Brands™ announced today a new multi-year partnership, making Built Brands™ the official protein bar and energy gel of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team through the 2022 season. Throughout the duration of the partnership, Built Brands’ diverse range of recovery and performance products - packed with protein and nutrients without compromising flavor - will help fuel some of the world’s top athletes. 

“As a brand committed to healthy, great-tasting protein and energy products to fuel an active lifestyle, a partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard was only a natural fit,” said Nick Greer, Co-Founder of Built Brands. “We look forward to keeping some of today’s most competitive athletes energized on and off the mountain through 2022.” 

Throughout the partnership, the Utah-based brand will keep U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Park City headquarters, the USANA Center of Excellence, fully stocked with delicious and nutritious products so athletes can train harder and recover faster. Built Brands will also ensure teams have access to its wide-ranging product portfolio wherever they are in the world training and competing, which this season includes World Championships events for each team. Access to Built Brands™ beloved protein bars, along with its energy and protein supplements Built Boost® and BuiltGO™, means athletes can continue to push what’s possible on the snow. The brand will also have a presence at various domestic competitions and events. 

“Built Brands is a standout among protein bars, protein gels and energy gels and this partnership reflects our shared goal of enabling our athletes to perform at their best,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief Revenue Officer Michael O’Conor. “Our athletes push their bodies to achieve exceptional feats and so require high-quality fuel to stay at the top of their game. We are excited to welcome Built Brands into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard family and look forward to providing our teams the fuel they need to reach the top of the podium.”

Dermatone Named Official Sunscreen, Lip Balm and Frostbite Protection of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 29 2020
Dermatone

Dermatone, which offers the highest quality skin protection in the most extreme environments, announced today that it has been named the official sunscreen, lip balm, and frostbite protection of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. The multi-year partnership extends through 2023 and includes providing U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team athletes with Dermatone skin protection products to use throughout training and competition.

“Elite athletes spend countless hours training and competing in the coldest, windiest and brightest conditions in alpine environments,” said Doug Metchick, Dermatone CEO. “We are excited to support the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team as they prepare for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Dermatone will help protect their skin year-round and ensure that they are always ready to face the competition.”

Dermatone was founded in 1981 as the first product to provide cold weather protection along with sunscreen. The brand’s long-lasting, water-resistant, sweat-resistant, and broad-spectrum SPF formulas deliver unparalleled protection in high UV environments. Dermatone has been tested in some of the most extreme environments on Earth, including Mt. Everest, K2, Antarctica and Death Valley.

“Dermatone has been a trusted brand in mountain sports for decades and has a proven track record in intense environments,” said Michael O’Conor, chief revenue officer for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Our athletes train and compete under extreme mountain conditions and this partnership will make life on the road that much more comfortable. We are thrilled to bring Dermatone into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard family and are excited for the support they will provide our athletes, our teams and our community.”

You’re Invited to A Night at The USANA Center of Excellence

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 29 2020
A Night At

You’re invited to an exciting night in with U.S. Ski & Snowboard on Thursday, November 19 at 5 p.m. MST / 7 p.m. EST. Shake up your favorite cocktail, glam up in your best event-from-home attire, grab your computer and join Olympic Freestyle Champion Jonny Moseley and X Games Gold Medalist Maggie Voisin for a live, 30 minute show you won’t want to miss. U.S. Ski & Snowboard presents the New York Gold Medal Gala Reimagined: A Night at the USANA Center of Excellence

This year would have marked the 54th annual New York Gold Medal Gala, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s marquee fundraising event. However, due to the ongoing global pandemic, with the health and safety of all athletes, staff, donors and supporters, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has shifted all fundraising efforts to virtual experiences. Going virtual has its benefits as all ski and snowboard fans are invited to attend - registration is free! 

Hosted by Jonny and Maggie, with a special appearance from two-time Olympic Champion Mikaela Shiffrin, A Night At the USANA Center of Excellence will seek to help raise $1 million to ensure athletes across all teams have access to coaching, training and elite competition for the 2020-21 season. All funds raised will directly benefit Olympic hopefuls on their road to Beijing 2022 and beyond. Go behind the scenes of what it’s like to train to be Best in the World, hear from some of your favorite athletes and gain insight into what the competitive ski and snowboard world will be like this season. Jonny and Maggie have been training all summer for this with a rigorous schedule of online meetings and look forward to spending some time with you from the comfort of your own home. 

Technology has the power to connect us during a time we cannot physically be in the same place. Fans and supporters are encouraged to show their support remotely by registering or donating. Now is your chance to get ahead of the game by bidding on the online auction, now live. Be a part of history with exclusive Team gear, sports memorabilia and incredible, immersive experiences. New items will be added in the lead in to the live show, so be sure to check back. The online auction will be available until Monday, November 23 at 10 a.m. MST / 12 p.m. EST. 

Join us for an amazing evening. After all, there’s nothing like relaxing on the couch after a long day of being stressed on the couch.

Register today at nightatthecoe.org or by texting "gold" to 243725!

USANA Gains Naming Rights to U.S. Ski & Snowboard Center of Excellence Training Facility Through 2023

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 28 2020
USANA COE

As a leader in global health and wellness, USANA, the Cellular Nutrition Company, is committed to the advancement of innovative, high-quality health supplements for elite athletes worldwide. To further its commitment to research and development, USANA is now the title partner of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s state-of-the-art training and education facility, the Center of Excellence.

The USANA Center of Excellence will continue to blend the best of high-performance athletic facilities, including strength training areas, a gymnasium, ski and snowboarding ramps, trampolines, a nutrition center, recovery/rehabilitation facilities, and a full sports science lab for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes. USANA will work closely with U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s sport science staff and the organization’s top skiers and snowboarders on new product research and areas for development. 

“I am very excited about this new and expanded relationship between USANA and U.S. Ski & Snowboard,” says  Robert Sinnott, M.N.S., Ph.D., USANA’s chief scientific officer. “Through this extension, we have agreed to conduct two to three clinical studies annually to measure the effects of USANA’s supplements in elite athletes. The goal is to improve on their athletic performance metrics, help boost their immune systems while traveling, and assist them to achieve better quality sleep—all necessary for optimal performance and recovery. Not only will this partnership assist and benefit Olympic athletes, it’s also a great investment in USANA’s future and product pipeline.”

To learn more about USANA and its award-winning supplements, visit usana.com.

USANA and U.S. Ski & Snowboard first teamed up in 2011, when USANA became the organization’s Official Nutritional Supplement, Vitamin, and Minerals Partner. Since then, USANA has supported elite athletes through two Olympic cycles.

“We value our relationship with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and are excited to take these next steps with them as we sponsor the USANA Center of Excellence and collaborate on product innovation,“ says Dan Macuga, USANA’s chief of communications and marketing. “We look forward to further developing our story alongside this accomplished, world-class institution and its athletes, and will continue to provide our products to more professional and Olympic athletes than any other nutritional supplement in the world.”

“Our nine-year partnership with USANA has been a fruitful one, and we are thrilled to enter into this new, expanded relationship with them,” says Tiger Shaw, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO. “As a sports organization, we are constantly evolving and looking for new and better ways to enable our athletes to achieve success throughout their training and competition cycles. USANA’s commitment to working alongside our sport science staff will allow us to be on the forefront of innovation. It’s exciting for us to be a part of their product development process.”  

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Announces Partnership With Rack Attack

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 26 2020
Rack Attack

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today a new partnership with Rack Attack, North America’s premier retailer of vehicle rack solutions. Rack Attack has been named the Official Rack Retailer of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S Snowboard Team, and U.S. Freeski Team.

Rack Attack will outfit U.S. Ski & Snowboard with products for national team athletes as well as provide exclusive benefits and support to U.S. Ski & Snowboard members.

“Rack Attack has always been committed to the snow sport community and our partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard only solidifies our position,” said Alexander Welbers, CEO of Rack Attack. “We are looking forward to working with the team, the athletes and all the other snow sport enthusiasts.”

“We are proud to welcome Rack Attack to our family of partners and suppliers”, said Michael O’Conor, Chief Revenue Officer of U.S Ski & Snowboard. “We are grateful for the support they will provide our organization, our athletes and our community.”

For more information, visit www.rackattack.com

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Partners with INTENSE Mountain Bikes Through 2023

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 20 2020
INTENSE x U.S. Ski & Snowboard

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today a new multi-year partnership with INTENSE, making the lauded brand the Official Mountain Bike and Bike Supplier of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Freeski Team, in an agreement that will extend through 2023.

Common on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Tour, INTENSE will bring its trusted technology to U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s elite athletes and passionate fans. U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes are known for their skills on snow and many incorporate cycling into their cross-training programs, finding the speed and endurance work a near-perfect foil to their sport-specific routines.

“INTENSE has a proven track record with elite athletes on the Mountain Bike World Cup Tour, so it’s exciting to introduce this brand to our World Cup skiers and riders, and their fans” said Michael O’Conor, Chief Revenue Officer for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “INTENSE shares our passion for playing and competing in the mountains and fostering a love of sport no matter if you’re a World Cup athlete or weekend warrior.”

As part of the agreement, INTENSE will provide U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team athletes with bikes, available for use from the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Center of Excellence, in Park City, Utah, which has immediate access to over 400 miles of mountain bike trails throughout Park City. Fans may expect to see INTENSE at domestic ski and snowboard competition this season, pending availability.

”INTENSE was born racing in the mountains. We are super excited to support the ski and snowboard athletes and enthusiasts that not only use mountain bikes as a training platform, but more importantly engage in the active mountain lifestyle during the summer months,” said Jeff Steber, Founder and CEO of INTENSE. “I have always been a skier and my first “corporate job” was for Steamboat Springs ski resort. It’s so cool to see this come full circle and bridge two sports so near and dear to me! It’s an honor for INTENSE to support such an active and engaged group.”

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ABOUT INTENSE
Founded in Lake Elsinore, CA in 1993 and crafted with over 25-years of racing heritage, INTENSE mountain bikes inspire confidence to ride and a striking design. From World Cup downhill races to your first trail ride, experience the INTENSE difference.

ABOUT U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2020, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team.

FIS Confirms 2020-21 World Cup Calendars; Freestyle, Freeski, and Snowboard Competition Set to Return to American Venues

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 9 2020
U.S. Ski & Snowboard

The International Ski Federation (FIS) confirmed the 2020-21 World Cup Calendars across all disciplines during the FIS Autumn Meetings, which took place online September 23 - October 9. The 2020-21 alpine, cross country, freestyle, freeski, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping calendars are live and available online at fis-ski.com

Freestyle, freeski, and snowboard World Cup competition are set to return to the United States for the 2020-21 season. Three American venues are scheduled to host 22 starts between genders, with freeski and snowboard competitions at Copper Mountain, Colo., and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Calif., and freestyle competitions at Deer Valley Resort, Utah. Previously announced, the FIS Alpine World Cup tour will remain in Europe this season. 

The 2020-21 competition season will look different than in years past due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Ski & Snowboard is working closely with its resort partners and local health authorities to provide competition environments that adhere to required guidelines. 

“The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt across the global sports world, and after having our 2019-20 season cut short, we are especially fortunate to have the opportunity to host events on home snow this season,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “We are grateful to our resort partners in their commitment to providing world-class freestyle, freeski and snowboard competition, and highlighting the talents of our amazing athletes. We have seen success in other sports resuming and are learning from them. COVID-19 has challenged us to be more nimble in our planning, and while we can definitely say what we are doing one week from now, we understand circumstances may change months from now. We are working closely with FIS, our resort partners and local health authorities to plan what these events will look like, and look forward to sharing that information when available.”

The 2020-21 Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix is expected to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year with snowboard and freeski slopestyle and halfpipe competition returning to Copper Mountain, Colo., in December and Mammoth Mountain, Calif., in February.

As is tradition, the first halfpipe World Cup is scheduled from Dec. 16-19 at Copper Mountain, Colo. pending local and state approvals. To encourage social distancing, there will not be spectator zones for the halfpipe competitions at Copper Mountain this season and fans are encouraged to tune in to watch or stream on NBC properties. 

The second annual Visa Big Air presented by Land Rover is also planned for Copper Mountain the weekend of Dec.17-19, pending local and state approvals, and is scheduled to feature both freeski and snowboard World Cup big air competition. The 2020 edition of the Visa Big Air will benefit from natural snow conditions and Woodward Copper’s jump building expertise. Copper Mountain has proved itself as a world-class big air venue and even hosted an Olympic qualifier in the lead up to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang. To encourage social distancing, there will not be spectator zones for the big air competitions at Copper Mountain this season and fans are encouraged to tune in to watch or stream on NBC properties.

From Feb. 3-6, the Grand Prix is positioned to return to the park and pipe mecca that is Mammoth Mountain, Calif. and the famed Unbound Terrain Parks for slopestyle and halfpipe competition, pending local and state approvals. U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes Chloe Kim, Maddie Mastro, Judd Henkes, Toby Miller, Dusty Henricksen, Sonora Alba, and Carly Margulies all call Mammoth Mountain home and year after year look forward to competing on home snow. 

The FIS Freestyle World Cup is set to return for its 23rd year at Deer Valley Resort on the storied White Owl and Champion courses, pending local and state approvals. The 2021 Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International is planned for February 4-6, with moguls Feb. 4, aerials Feb. 5, and dual moguls Feb. 6. Competitions will take place during the day, a notable change from what are historically night events under the lights. To encourage social distancing, there will not be spectator zones for the freestyle competitions at Deer Valley this season and fans are encouraged to tune in to watch or stream on NBC properties. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard recognizes that COVID-19 has impacted different parts of the country in different ways and with different timing, and therefore specific event information will be forthcoming as each local organizing committee works through its specific protocols. All events are contingent on local and state health department approvals based on existing and future COVID-19 rules and regulations. FIS, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, local organizing committees, and host venues are taking a unified approach consistent with guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities. 

2020-21 FIS World Cup Calendars

Helpful Resources

Wintersteiger Returns to Copper to Support the U.S. Ski Team & Fall Race Camps

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 9 2020
U.S. Alpine Ski Team
Wintersteiger, official supplier to U.S. Ski & Snowboard and exclusive tuning partner for the Center for Excellence, will again be offering equipment support at the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at official training site Copper Mountain, Colo. (Max Hall - U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

Salt Lake City, Utah - Wintersteiger, official supplier to U.S. Ski & Snowboard and exclusive tuning partner for the Center for Excellence, will again be offering equipment support at the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at official training site Copper Mountain, Colo. during the fall training block this year. Wintersteiger’s World Cup dominance and support of the U.S. Ski Team make them the obvious machine tuning choice for both the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team and any race programs training at Copper Mountain.

Wintersteiger returns to Copper Mountain with Racing Technician Mike Beers and Swix Alpine Director Graham Lonetto to offer a full complement of services: ski evaluation, new ski prep, stone grinding, ceramic disc edging, and Wax Future cycling. These technicians will have a complete range of state-of-the-art tuning equipment, including a Scout Plus. The Wintersteiger Scout offers the highest caliber ceramic disc finishing for the most precise tuning of side and base edges as well as World Cup proven grinds to ensure the smoothest, fastest base possible.

Last season during the month of November, hundreds of skis were evaluated and, as a result, many of those skis were tuned by professional technicians onsite. “It was an amazing service for our up-and-coming athletes, many of whom have not received this type of ski preparation before," offered Alpine Director Jesse Hunt. “For 2020, we are excited to continue and grow our partnership with Wintersteiger and Swix at Copper and beyond.”

The temporary shop in Copper will supplement Wintersteiger’s established partner locations in Colorado that are using the same machinery and processes found in factory race rooms around the world. With the ultimate goal of minimizing equipment as a variable in the racing success equation, it is critical that the machines local shops utilize are as serious as the athletes they service. 

More information on location, services, and timing will be available on the US Ski Team, Wintersteiger, and Swix social media pages.  To schedule service at Copper, please contact Mike Beers – mike.beers@wintersteiger.com

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With four decades of experience and more than 30,000 ski tuning machines sold worldwideincluding 1500 automated ski tuning machinesWintersteiger is the global market leader in racing service solutions. The Austrian, German, and US Ski Teams as well as ski manufacturers Atomic, Fischer, Head, Rossignol, and Salomon rely on the highest-quality results provided by Wintersteiger ski tuning machines to achieve competition success.