How racing works
From Hyland to the world.
Ski racing has its own map: a national governing body, regions, divisions, and the clubs that race each other every weekend. Here is where Team Gilboa fits, and what your racer needs to start.
The structure
Where Team Gilboa fits.
Follow the orange line from the international federation down to our club. Most weekends, your racer competes at the bottom two levels.
International Federation
FIS International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Racers 16 and older with a FIS license.
National Governing body
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Sanctions events, insures them, and educates parents, coaches and racers.
Regions Three across the country
Rocky/Central. Western. Eastern.
Divisions Inside Rocky/Central
Central Division 11 states, from the Dakotas to Ohio and Kentucky. Rocky.
Central regions Where we race weekly
Central Region 1 (CR1) Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Iowa. Races December through March. CR2. CR3.
Region 1 clubs Our home league
Team Gilboa Hyland Hills. Afton Alps. Buck Hill. Team Duluth. Mt. La Crosse. Three Rivers Racing. Apex Alpine.
Region 1 clubs as named in Team Gilboa's parent guide. Racers make friends across all of them; that is half the fun of race weekends.
Three ways to race
Start at home. Go as far as you like.
Team Gilboa athletes compete in three racing systems. Most racers begin at home and move up as their skills and confidence grow.
Jr. Races
Home races for younger athletes, organized and run by Team Gilboa at Hyland Hills. The Hyland Gold Cup runs on four Sundays each season. Jr. Race and High School Development.
US Ski races
Longer courses, harder sets and stricter rules, sanctioned by U.S. Ski and Snowboard. Most are in Central Region 1, across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. U10 through U18.
FIS races
The international system and the most competitive racing. Racers must be at least 16, US Ski members and FIS license holders. Few FIS races are held in the Midwest. Northstar FIS.
Age groups and points
U means under.
Age groups are set by birth year for the season. Through U14, racing is non-scored: racers are timed and results are posted, but the goal is a love of skiing, not a ranking. At U16, every race is scored.
990 points to start
Every U16 racer starts with 990 points and works to lower them over seasons. Points set the start order and rank racers against each other.
U8
U10
U12
U14
U16
U18+
The disciplines
Alpine racing has four events.
Alpine racing has four disciplines. In the Midwest, slalom is the main event, and the only one Minnesota State High School League athletes race.
SL Slalom
Tight, quick turns through closely set gates. The predominant discipline in the Midwest.
GS Giant Slalom
Longer, faster turns. Most US Ski races and above include GS.
SG Super G
A speed event, raced less often here. Speed camps for U14 and up focus on GS and Super G on longer venues.
DH Downhill
The fastest event. It requires qualification, is uncommon, and isn't held in the Midwest.
Before the first race
Three memberships, one deadline.
Every US Ski racer needs a U.S. Ski and Snowboard membership and a Central Region 1 membership. FIS racers add a FIS license. Then you enter races one week at a time.
Buy the US Ski license
At usskiandsnowboard.org by October 15, 2026. U12 and younger $110, U14 $236, U16 and older per the site.
Join Central Region 1
Region 1 membership is required to race. Championship and special events take a separate entry.
Add FIS, if racing FIS
Add a FIS license to your US Ski purchase: $85 before August 15, $155 after.
Enter each race
Races open for entry a week or two ahead, in your U.S. Ski and Snowboard account. Register before the CR1 deadline that week. Each race carries an entry fee, and late entries pay more. How to register (PDF).
How many races? That is up to your family. Some race only within an hour of the Twin Cities, some pick one weekend away with teammates, some race every weekend they can.
Championships, 2026-27
Where a season can lead.
Racers qualify through the Region 1 season. Dates are from the club calendar, and all dates can change in a weather-dependent sport.
- Feb 18
Bob Hosking Central Championships
Snowriver, Wakefield, Michigan. U16 racers start Thursday, February 18, 2027, and U14 racers Friday, February 19.
- Mar 9
U16 Rocky/Central Championships
Steamboat, starting Tuesday, March 9, 2027. The Rocky/Central FIS Championships run at Copper Mountain the same week.
- Mar 14
U14 Rocky/Central Junior Championships
Vail, starting Sunday, March 14, 2027. U14 racers qualify at the Hosking Championships.
- Mar 29
U16 Nationals
Winter Park, starting Monday, March 29, 2027. For the U16 FIS Prep program.
U14 racers can also qualify for the Can-Ams at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. In 2021-22, six Team Gilboa athletes reached U18 Nationals, the most in club history; only Vail and Steamboat qualified more from the Rocky/Central region.
Ready for the first one
Now you know the map.
Racing memberships due: Thursday, October 15, 2026