• USSA offices will be closed between August 1-15.  They have sent a reminder to members and clubs among other constituent groups regarding the closure and will send another final reminder.   In addition, a final reminder to athletes, parents and clubs about the August 15th FIS deadline.  Athletes who are aged 15 and older can apply for a FIS license in addition to their USSA license.  We are encouraging those registering for FIS to do so prior to the USSA office closure, so they may assist you if you have questions.  Try to register prior to Aug 1 if you are applyng for a FIS license.   Here is the link for on-line registration:   http://www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/formembers/membership/forms.html
• The agenda for the June 12 divisional meeting in Bozeman has been posted.  That meeting will take place at Right Now Technologies, beginning at 9 AM.
• Silver Run Summer Ski Camp was canceled again after rain negatively impacted the base to such an extent that holding the camp was impossible.  Any money sent will be refunded.
• REMINDER:  The early alpine FIS registration deadline is May 31, 2010.  USSA urges its Alpine FIS athletes to register early!  Now is the time for alpine athletes to complete USSA and FIS registration for the 2010-11 season!  The early alpine FIS registration deadline is May 31, 2010.  This deadline applies to all alpine athletes who wish to make the first FIS list and athletes who are competing in the Southern Hemisphere this summer including first year J2 athletes.  Athletes may register for both USSA and FIS in one transaction online.  For more information on renewing online click here.
• The minutes from the winter Divisional meeting have been posted.  The Spring General Meeting will be held in Bozeman (hopefully at Right Now Technologies) Saturday, June 12th from 9:00 am to Noon.
• The Silver Run summer ski camp has canceled due to lack of snow.  Stay tuned for information on possible camp opportunities at Mt. Hood.
• The Divisional awards have been announced, along with some Development scholarships.  Congratulations to all the winners!
• There was a professional photographer at the J3 JO's who took a lot of pictures.  To take a look at them, click here, then click on the Galleries tab over on the left and find the race you are interested in.  
• Many of the Northern events have pictures which can be seen online at Paul Bussi's website, www.idealphotography.biz.  Just click on "view photos online".
• A nice graphic showing the ins and outs of gate judging for single pole slalom has been posted.
• The new Northern Division Handbook is available.
• The USSA Alpine Competition Guide is now available online.
• Northern now has a Facebook page.  Check it out!  
• Information on the physical assessments for athletes on the Regional team has been posted.  
• The latest version of Internet Explorer is causing problems for the menuing system.  Go to the Site Map to navigate the site if you are having issues.  OR, DON'T UPGRADE to version 8!  I had to go into Add or Remove Programs and find Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and remove it.  Removing it restored version 7. Fortunately, Firefox is now working with the calendar!  By the way, with IE 8 on my PC, even Firefox wasn't working although another PC with IE7 had no problems. Safari and Chrome do not seem to be having any issues with the site.  If you find any, let me know.  I wish I could say I have fixed this problem, it is something wrong with the Java code being generated by the program which creates the menus.  
• We have officially adopted the Western Region Travel Policy as our own.  All fees associated with participation in divisionally-conducted training and/or Northern Division competition projects are due prior to the start (travel day if applicable) of the project in the divisional office.  No services will be rendered to athletes who have not made payment prior to the beginning of any project.  Applicable fees are announced at the time of the selection list or quota is announced.  
• If an athlete chooses not to participate in team lodging, then that athlete must notify the divisional manager at the time that selections are announced and confirmation is made.
• Athletes not in good standing with Northern as of travel day of all divisional quota events are subject to immediate sanctioning.  Good standing is defined as current USSA and Northern Division membership and no outstanding debts owed the division.
• Refunds will be granted for withdrawal from projects or competition trips or for partial attendance for injury, illness or family emergency on the following schedule:
  • 100% -- 14 days prior to the first day of the project (includes travel day)
  • 75% -- 7 days prior to the first day of the project
  • 50% -- 0 to 6 days prior to the first day of the project
  • $? -- Recoverable costs only after the beginning of the project.
  • Also, with regard to Northern Division race entries, entry fees will only be refundable (except in the case of injury, illness, or family emergency) if the athlete is pulled from the Northern event by 5 p.m. the previous day.  
  • One other important note:  Only athletes who have all forms (medical release, code of conduct, and financial agreement) turned in to the divisional office will appear on any selection board.  This includes JO boards.  Reminder:  these are due to Sherri Hale at the address below by December 1st.
• Information on quotas for National and International races is here, along with information on restrictions and procedures for foreign athletes.
• Policy reminder:  Under-18 athletes cannot ride in the vehicles driven by other athletes.  Athlete drivers turn in their car keys to the head coach when they arrive at an event.  Only written parental consent may override this policy.
• Teams providing "comps" to selected racers will need to send in the Division Head Tax form, located here.

2010 - 2011 USSA Deadlines and Form

It's time to get your racing license for next season!   To compete in a USSA Sanctioned Event, an athlete must be a member of USSA.  This year you can apply for your license ONLINE.   Membership information can also be sent by mail by downloading the application form and mailing it to:

Attn: USSA Member Services
Box 100
Park City, UT 84060

Or via facsimile to:

Attn: USSA Member Services
Fax: 435-647-2052

Please note completed applications will only be processed with proper payment.   USSA accepts Visa, Mastercard, personal and cashiers checks.   The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association prefers Visa.

The deadline to be included on the first alpine FIS points lists is May 31st.  To assure that your membership is processed for inclusion on any list, your membership materials must be received by USSA at least seven days prior to the closing date for that list.  Registrations are not considered received until they are complete.  It is the athlete's responsibility to ensure that his or her USSA and/or FIS membership registration is received.  You can contact USSA member services (435-647-2666) to check the status of your application.  Click here for the USSA registration form.  Remember to include your Northern Division fees.

Please note:  USSA and FIS points are not continually being updated they are recalculated for each new list.   For more information on how points are calculated, see chapter 3 of your USSA Alpine Competition Guide.

FIS License Applications

U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association alpine competitors registering for FIS who have not sent in their FIS registration by August 15, 2010 will have to pay $150.  To complete registration USSA must have a completed USSA Alpine Competitor application or renewal form, a completed FIS declaration and payment for USSA, FIS and any other applicable division or state dues.  This year, you can register online.  Or click here to go and download the Adobe registration application.

The FIS and USSA hardcopy forms require the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free here.

Northern Division Handbook 2009 - 2010

Download this useful guide to racing rules for the Northern Division.  

Payment

Payments for racing fees can be made to the following.   If you are using credit card payment, please note that we only accept American Express, Visa, and MasterCard.

Northern ACC Chairman Roger Bay Bridger Ski Foundation 406-581-6480 acc-chair@northernussa.org	Northern Division President Rick Duncan 810 West River Rd Deer Lodge, MT 59722 406-846-9631 (H) 406-846-2757, ext. 26 (W) 406-560-5021 (C) pres@northernussa.org
Join our mailing list to learn more about upcoming events and racing results from the Northern Division USSA! Contact Sherri Hale to get on the E-mail list.