Junior ski racing this weekend

The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation will host four days of junior ski racing at Whitefish Mountain Resort this weekend.

Races are scheduled for Jan. 13-16 for male and female competitors between age 12 and 21 and are sponsored by Sportsman Ski Haus and the Base Lodge Clinic of North Valley Hospital. The event is part of the nationwide USSA Series and are qualifying races for regional championships in March.

Competing skiers this weekend will come from ski clubs from all over Montana, including Anaconda, Big Sky, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula, along with teams from the Flathead Valley.

The events are sanctioned events within the Northern Division of the United States Ski Association. The Northern Division includes all of Montana and parts of Wyoming and South Dakota. Competitors for these events will be coming from ski clubs from throughout Montana including Anaconda, Big Sky, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula as well as the Flathead Valley.

On Friday, Jan. 13 and Saturday, Jan. 14 there will be slalom races on Nice Day run starting at 10 a.m. The following Sunday and Monday will feature giant slalom races on Ed’s Run beginning at 10 a.m. All race courses are accessed by Chair Two and can be viewed from the Upper Base Area near Ed and Mully’s.

Twelve junior skiers representing FVSEF will compete, including reigning U14 Northern Division Champion Colter Upton and 2016 Bruce Erickson Award winner Ian Calaway.

Volunteers are needed for a number of on-hill as well as administrative duties during the upcoming races. All volunteers will receive a lift ticket if needed for race course access on race days as well as a complementary lift pass that can be used anytime later this season.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Tim Hinderman at 406-885-2730 or tim.hinderman@fvsef.org.