Getting Started in Competitive Snowboarding

Tuesday, 06 January 2009 09:20

The USASA Rocky Mountain Snowboard & Free Skier Series offers opportunities for riders & skiers of all ages to compete against one and other in Slopestyle, Boarder & Skier Cross, Halfpipe, GS & SL (snowboard only).   If you're not ready to compete it might be better for you to spend more time practicing and honing your skills with a club or a coach until you're ready to show us what you've got.  There are some very good development programs here in the Rocky Mountain's, click here to check them out if you're in need of some guidance.

But if you're good to go, been working hard in the park & pipe, got some spins down solid, sliding the rails is cake and now you want to throw down in one of the local contests!  Here's what you'll need to do before hand and what you can expect.

Before you can register for an event:

To compete in the USASA events at the Rocky Mountain Series you need to be USASA member registered with the Rocky Mountain Series.  The only way to join the USASA is online, so Click Here to Join or Renew.

The Rocky Mountain Series also hosts USSA / NORAM / FIS events. These require completely separate memberships than the one listed above.  To compete in the Revolution Tour or any of the NorAM / FIS events hosted at Copper Mountain you will need both a NATIONAL USSA License and  NATIONAL FIS.  You can download both the USSA Membership form and the FIS Membership form along with your payment.

You must hold the proper credentials in order to compete in an event.  There is NO ONSITE membership registration for either the USASA, USSA or FIS.  These memberships must be obtained well in advance of a contest, so don't wait until the week before the date.

The burden of proof is that of the athlete.  It is strongly suggested that you bring your membership cards with you when attending a riders meeting or picking up you bib.  If your membership is in question, you will NOT be allowed to compete.

You've got your USASA, USSA & FIS tickets.........Now what?

All riders must purchase their bib this season for $20 in order to compete in the USASA Rocky Mountain Series! This bib number will be assigned to the rider for each event for the entire season. Riders will no longer be required to check in and are able to gain immediate access to the venue to begin inspection / practice. Cash is king and its the only way you can pay for your bib. Bibs will be available for pickup and purchase prior to the first contest of the season.  Check the website for details when bibs will be ready for pickup!

The Rocky Mountain Series hosts numerous events all season long.  If you want to see how you measure up against the best athletes in Colorado with an opportunity to qualify for the USASA Nationals at Copper in the spring, you'll want to register for USASA events!  This is a great spot to start!

If your ready to move on up to the next level to see if you've got what it takes to go up against the best in the country, the Revolution Tour & NorAM FIS events are for you.  The USSA Chevrolet Revolution Tour will bring together the best young athletes to determine the top junior riders in the country. The Revolution Tour is designed to be a stepping stone to the next level of competitive snowboarding.  Winners of the Revolution Tour events will gain "pre-qualified" access to the 09/10 Grand Prix's, the 2010 US Open and a World Cup start if FIS eligibility requirements and quotas are met.

1. HOW TO ENTER: In accordance with the schedule listed on website. A contestant can enter a Contest by completing the appropriate Entry Form and the Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release (to be signed by contestant’s parent or legal guardian if contestant is under 18 years of age) and are available ONLY online during the registration process.   Registration for each event closes at MIDNIGHT the Wednesday evening before the contest.  Be sure to register early to avoid disappointment.

• Eligibility requirements apply, see Rule 2a, 2b & 2c.

2a. USASA ELIGIBILITY: The USASA Rocky Mountain Series events are open to all current USASA Members in the following age categories for both men and women:

‣ First time competitors, new to the USASA and registering in the USASA OPEN CLASS for boardercross only, must have a demonstrated record of achievement in their USASA AGE CLASS or a history of USSA / NORAM / FIS experience before being approved to compete in the open class.  Riders can submit their request along with their coaches recommendation to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The request will be reviewed by the competition committee.  Requests to be moved to the OPEN Class must be made in advance. NO "DAY OF" REQUESTS will be considered or granted. NO EXCEPTIONS
‣ Competitors must complete the resort release and waiver of liability, image release and rider / parent contract before being permitted to participate at any USASA competition.
‣ Competitors must have a current medical insurance policy.

2b. USSA ELIGIBILITY: The USSA Revolution Tour events are open to both men and women with a current USSA and National FIS license.

‣ Competitors must complete the resort release and waiver of liability, image release and rider / parent contract before being permitted to participate at any USSA competition.
‣ Competitors must have a current medical insurance policy.

2. HOST PARK RULES: These rules are general guidelines to competing at a Rocky Mountain Snowboard Series Event. Rules are subject to change and can be different at each park. Violations are subject to disqualification and forfeiture of entry fees. The Rocky Mountain Snowboard Series and its host parks reserve the right amend the rules if need be.

• Competitors must be current USASA, USSA / FIS Members
• Competitors must enter a valid / current USASA, USSA / FIS Membership number at time of online event registration or they will not be added to the start list, will not allowed to compete and will forfeit their entry fee.
• Competitors / Coaches may be required to provide to show PROOF of USASA, USSA / FIS Membership & or Accreditation in order to gain access to a venue.  The burden of proof is that of the competitor & or coach.
• All contestants must wear an approved helmet.
• All USASA contestants MUST attend the Mandatory riders briefing at the top of the course
• Cursing, fighting or rough play is not acceptable at any Rocky Mountain Snowboard Series event.
• All contestants must respect the direction of the Rocky Mountain Snowboard Series staff.
• Please respect other riders, as to avoid collisions.
• No smoking or alcoholic beverages at any of the venues.
• Competitors may be required to pay a one time park usage fee prior to being able to gain access to  certain features at various terrain parks, if the rider wishes to practice prior to the day of the contest. Competitors will not be subject to usage fees the day of a contest.

3. DISQUALIFICATION: A competitor shall be disqualified and will forfeit their entry fee:

• For not wearing a helmet or if a helmet comes off during a run (broken helmet consideration)
• If there is an infraction under:

• USASA Competition Guide Click on the link to access the rule book
• USASA / IOC / USADA Doping Rules Click on the link to access the rule book
• USSA Competition Guide Section 1 Click on the link to access the rule book
• USSA Competition Guide Section 2 Click on the link to access the rule book

• If false information is presented to the USASA , USSA, FIS the Series Director any official or the Organizing Committee.
• For un-sportsmanlike conduct including but not limited to:

‣ foul or obscene language
‣ making foul or obscene gestures toward USASA judges or officials
‣ shadowing a competition course
‣ coach/parent shadowing with a competitor
‣ modifying the setting of a competition area
‣ disrupt an event by destructive means, such as destroying or moving a safety fence or changing a gate setup
‣ competing in a bib other than their own or letting another competitor compete for them
‣ borrowing or lending of bibs
‣ For intentionally pushing, holding, or hitting another rider in boardercross.  The rider will not be allowed to start in the next event of the same level or above
‣ A rider disqualified (for pushing, holding, or hitting) will not be allowed to advance to a further round at this race and may be sanctioned.
‣ A rider disqualified (for pushing, holding or hitting) will not receive any rank or points at the race in which the infraction occurred. If this occurs during a KO Final the offending rider will be listed at the end of all other riders in the KO Final but with 0 rank and 0 points.
‣ In the eventuality of a rider being disqualified for “pushing, holding, or hitting” the heat in which the infraction occurred can be re run with ALL the riders excluding the disqualified rider.

4. HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE CONTEST: At the times as set forth on the posted start list, eligible contestants will have the opportunity to participate in a warm-up / course inspection.

Judges will have extensive snowboarding experience, knowledge of current snowboarding trends, will hold current USASA / IJC Judges Certification.  Judges will NOT have a relationship with any of the contestants.  Judges may be nominated by the Coaches Committee to fill vacancies prior to an event. Each class will be judged separately based on the same criteria as outlined in Rule 6.

At each USASA event three (3) winners will be selected from each of the age classes among all of the eligible contestants in each such class. Selection of the winners will be determined at the sole discretion of the Judges. Contestants will be advised of any additional rules pertaining to the contest prior to participation.

5. JUDGING CRITERIA, SCORING & PRIZING:
• Judging Criteria / Overall Impression

‣ Overall Style
‣ Landing
‣ Variety of Tricks and Park Usage
‣ Amplitude
‣ Technical Difficulty
‣ Consistency
‣ Attitude

Each judge will rate each contestant as to which contestant he/she feels best meets all criteria as set forth above, including notes on each contestant.

• Scoring: At the conclusion of each contest, the head judge will meet with the judges to review their ratings and comments and then choose the winner(s) for each class as a group.  Un-official scores will be posted at each venue and are subject to error and change.  Official scores / results will be posted as designated on the official start lists.

• Prizes: Medals will be awarded to the (3) winners from each of the age classes for both men and women.  In the event of a cash purse, the prize winner will be solely responsible for paying all applicable federal, state and local taxes on prize(s); if applicable, winner may receive an IRS Form 1099 for the prize retail value. All contestants, as a condition of entry, agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges that shall be final and binding.

6. WINNER NOTIFICATION: The results of each contest will be posted at the official designation once the judges have selected the winners.

7. NATIONALS QUALIFICATION and WILDCARDS:
• USASA Nationals Qualification:
‣ Best 2 out of 3 Series results will be used to calculate division winners for all freestyle and alpine venues. Best 3 out of 4 Series results will be used to calculate division winners for boardercross. Division winners are the only athletes awarded a guaranteed spot to compete at the 2010 National Championships.
‣ 2009 National Overall & Venue Champions are automatically "pre-qualified" for the 2010 National Championships.


8. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: All winners, by acceptance of a prize, agree to release the applicable Resorts, CMSS LLC., the Sponsors and thier Promotion Parties from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership or use of the prize or from any prize-related activity or any typographical or other error in these Official Rules or in the announcement or offering of any prize. Sponsors makes no representation or warranty of any kind concerning the appearance, performance or safety of any prize. Winner bears all risk of loss or damage to prize after it has been delivered. Upon request, winners must consent (and confirm such consent in writing) to the use of their name, voice, picture or other likeness in any without compensation for promotional purposes in all media as determined by Sponsor.

9. PROTESTS / SETTLEMENT:
• All protests must be submitted in writing on the form provided by the Series Director along with the appropriate deposit.
• A protest that is not submitted within the required period of time or without a deposit shall be invalid when received.
• The deposit will be returned to the competitor if the protest is upheld, otherwise it will be forfeited to the sanctioning body.
• Only a USASA competitor, Certified USASA Coach or USASA Riders Representative are authorized to present a protest.
• Protest payments must be in cash
• Any protest against another competitor shall be invalid. An exception exists in BoarderCross where:

‣ A rider intentionally obstructs (pushes, holds, or hits) his opponent, this is considered as an "obstruction fault"

• Types of Protests