U Class Explained

Beginning with the 2012-13 season the ski age class system is changing. Long gone are the days of J45's, J3's and J1/2's. This change is based around the FIS change to require athletes to now be 16 years old in order to compete in FIS (it has been 15 until the 2011-12 season).

U10, U12 and U14 will be youth license (non-scored)
U16, U18, U21 and older will be a competitors license (scored)

Here is a quick and simple desription of what is our new system.
   1.    ages are still based on the December 31st cut off.
   2.    U21 are athletes that are 18-20 years old. This age can race USSA and FIS. Regional and 
          National Championships are available.
   3.    U18 are athletes that are 16 and 17 years old. This age can race USSA and FIS. Regional and 
          National Championships are available.
   4.    U16 are athletes that are 14 and 15 years old. This age will race USSA events that will be scored 
          to the USSA points list. They will have their own Wild West Series and be able to race in the 
          Open Series together with the 
          U18 and U21's. This level will participate in a Regional Championships.
   5.    U14 are athletes that are 12 and 13 years old. This age will participate in non-scored Far West 
          racing. This age class will race within their own age class in their own North, Central and 
          South series. There will be a U14 Far West Championships.
   6.    U12(10 and 11 year olds)/U10(9 and 8 year olds). These age classes will also participate in 
          non-scored Far West racing. These age classes will race together most of the time in the 
          North, Central and South Series. There will be a U10/U12 Far West Championships.