PARA RACING FOR 2020/2021
Here is what we know so far and what we are planning.
The PARA Board of Directors have been meeting (via Zoom) on a regular basis over the past months. We also been meeting regularly with the United States Ski and Snowboard Eastern Region for additional guidance. In PARA, we have a number of teams affiliated with major skiing corporations and we had to await decisions from those corporations as to if skiing was even going to happen this upcoming season. All PARA areas are planning to open and we've been working with the different areas as to what ski racing looks like in PA.
There will be racing in PARA as of today. (October, 2020 ) Racing will look different.
United States Ski and Snowboard has rightly placed a 100 participant limit on any racing in the US. The USSS-Eastern guidance is to have events "closer to home". There will be less opportunities for out-of-division racing events on the east coast. The Eastern Championship events will have significantly reduced participation. Many USSS-Eastern divisions are discussing boots-in-the-car to boots-on-the-hill without any need to use the ski area lodges. Very different times.
What does this mean in general?
The U19 Cup series has been revised for one year to reduce travel. PA Cups 1-5 have been canceled for the coming season. The U19s Championships will only consist of a Finals weekend at Elk that athletes would qualify for through races in each region.
PARA was intending to implement a statewide U16 series as well for 2020/2021. Again, due to the circumstances, the U16s will revert back to racing within region and qualifying for a U16 Finals being planned at Blue.
U14 and U12 will also continue to race within region. As of now, we are planning for U14 Finals at Seven Springs and a U12 Finals at Ski Roundtop.
The format of these Finals is being worked between the Race Organizing Committee and the PARA Board of Directors so we have a consistent format where applicable. By mid-January, the Board of Directors will again evaluate the COVID circumstances and determine if these Final events will occur for the 2020/2021 season. Again, the goal is to keep athletes as local as possible for events this season.
This allows PARA to refocus our efforts from the big 150+ racer days to smaller events with potentially more runs per day. Potentially some events where the morning is racing and the afternoon is a skill competition. Each PARA region is working diligently planning events and schedules that allows us to continue skiing under the constraints this year has inflicted. Understand that we are all working under a number of constraints and we all need to be diligent in reducing the spread.
On behalf of the PARA Board of Directors,
David Bond - President
HOW WILL COVID AFFECT BMR ?
We know that many of you want to know what our snow sports season will be like this season.
With the ever changing COVID-19 situation, Blue Mountain Resort is involved in discussions with PA Ski Areas Association member resorts to work toward policies that meet Commonwealth of PA guidelines. Our goals are to provide our guests with fun and exciting outdoor activities in the safest environment that can be offered.
As a resort run program, the Blue Mountain Competition programs will abide by all Mountain policies.
Information about Blue Mountain winter sports policies . Scroll down to “Precautions per Activity” and click on the “Skiing/Riding” tab.
BMR will abide by all USSS and USASA guidelines for training and competition.
-US Ski and Snowboard has just announced protocols and guidelines for the coming competition season. Those guidelines can be found here: USSS COVID-19 Guidelines. Based on these guidelines, there will be significant race day changes. BMR is working with PARA and other race clubs to hold events in compliance with USSS policies. Due to the necessity to comply with USSS protocols there will be a delay in announcing the PARA race schedule.
- USASA COVID-19 protocols and guidelines have yet to be announced. Look for USASA updates here: USASA COVID-19 Info
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
FOR 2020-2021
For help with e-store purchases, please call 610-826-7700.
After paying online, you MUST complete, sign and mail the forms from the booklet to:
Blue Mountain Competition Center
PO Box 216
Palmerton, PA 18071
Your child's registration is not considered complete until both payment and paperwork are received.
You may also email the completed forms to racing@skibluemt.com.
Do not wait to register. We have had wait lists for Mountaineers and Developmental Mountaineers the past few seasons.
GEAR NEEDS
Blue Mountain and True Blue Mountain Sports will still offer
special rates for equipment.
For those of you that need new gear True Blue is open
10:00am to 4:00 pm 7 days a week
DRY LAND TRAINING
Due to COVID-19 we are not announcing any Dry Land Training sessions at this time. We will update all in early to mid-October about Dry Land Training.
HOLIDAY CAMPS
-At the present time we plan to offer Holiday Skills Camp at Blue Mountain Monday Dec 28 through Thursday Dec 31.
This camp is for Mountaineers, PARA U10-U14, and Cross Team.
Buy online at https://group.shopskibluemt.com/racing-2.
Submit registration form to racing@skibluemt.com.
-We are delaying our decision about holding the Sunday River Camp due to COVID-19. If we do not hold the Sunday River Camp we will look at expanding Holiday Camp at Blue Mountain to include U16 and U19 athletes.
EXTENDED TRAINING
No Weekday Extended Training payments or registrations will be taken at this time. We will let you know when extended training registration opens.
PARA Candidates Evaluation
Sunday March 8, 2020
This is for new PARA candidates and Mountaineers that are looking to transition into the PARA program next season.
Candidates must have a 2011 birth year or earlier.
Check-in will be from 8:00am-8:30am at the Race Registration Counter- Upper Courtyard level of Summit Lodge.
Candidates must meet the coaches at 9:00am on Widowmaker.
Candidates must be ready to go at 8:45am. There will be some U10 and U12 PARA athletes available to guide the groups from the Summit Lodge.
Format will be 4 or 5 stations where athlete skills will be evaluated by BMR coaches. All candidates must have a valid lift ticket or season pass. Candidates not in our programs this season will be required to sign a release at check-in.
Please RSVP by 9am on Friday, March 6th, if you have an athlete that would like to participate in the evaluation.
Additional information about the PARA commitment can be found in the attached document.