Homologation or “course approval” is an important aspect of developing venues in which U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes can perform at their highest levels. All courses on which FIS and U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine races are conducted must be homologated or ‘registered’. This process includes the preparation of specific documents describing the course, a site visit and report by a recognized inspector, and payment of the applicable fees.
Why become a U.S. Ski & Snowboard official? Taking part as a competition official is exciting -- it brings you into the heart of the action! And it's a way of helping the thousands of young athletes who enter U.S. Ski & Snowboard competitions to have fun and to achieve personal goals.
It's simple to get started. Just join U.S. Ski & Snowboard as an official. And work with your local U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club to volunteer at an entry-level position.
Officials, many of which are volunteers, play a critical role in young athletes achieving their goals and dreams. U.S. Ski & Snowboard sanctions more than 4,000 individual competitions annually and provides an educational system for over 5,600 U.S. Ski & Snowboard officials. Those competitions would not be possible without the time from those dedicated officials and other competition volunteers.
Alpine officials ensure that U.S. Ski & Snowboard competitions run efficiently and fairly by the rules. They are responsible for the safe conduct of the event and the accurate timing, judging, and scoring. They also play a key role in ensuring that the spirit of the sport and competition is maintained.
In the end, officials are responsible for providing the best possible experience for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes.
The ability to measure one competitor's performance against another is the heart of competitive athletics. In a country as large as the USA, it's important to have measurement tools to evaluate the performance of skiers around the nation. Athlete performance is evaluated through various ranking lists. Athletes competing in scored competitions earn points, which are calculated mathematically to allow ranking lists to be developed. Ranking lists, in turn, are used by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for selection to teams, entry into higher-level competitions and development projects.
The ability to measure one competitor's performance against another is the heart of competitive athletics. In a country as large as the USA, it's important to have measurement tools to evaluate the performance of skiers around the nation. Performance of U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes is evaluated through various points lists. Athletes competing in scored competitions earn points, which are calculated mathematically to allow ranking lists to be developed. Ranking lists, in turn, are used by U.S.
Competition is the heartbeat of U.S. Ski & Snowboard! From local and club races and events, through RevTour, Grand Prix, SuperTour, NorAm, World Cup, World Championships and Olympic competition, U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes strive every day to the "Best in the World!"