Next Snow Search (presented by Sports Illustrated for Kids)
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Next Snow Search (presented by Sports Illustrated for Kids)
January 13 & 14, 2007
Next Snow Search is a quest to find the neXtreme generation of skiers and snowboarders. It's the first all-mountain, all equipment, all person snowsports competition. It's not just a competition - style, attitude, and personality are also factors. There is only one class, everyone competes together. Boys and girls, skiers and snowboarders and adaptive athletes are included. All contestants must be 9 through 13 years of age at some point in 2007 (born 1993-98) to compete.
Four of the top competitors will be selected at the Whistler Blackcomb super qualifier for the finals competition at Killington, Vermont in March and two of the top athletes will earn an invitation to the Next Snow Search All-Star event at Steamboat, Colorado in February.
Helmets are mandatory.
Registration Information
Pre Registration saves you money
Entry fee: pre-registered - $20; race day - $25
Please note: for children enrolled in MAP, J4 or Freeride programs, entry fee is included with the program cost.
To register for the event, please print out a registration form and image release and return the forms to your child's coach before or on January 7, 2007. Forms can also be emailed to whistlerkids@intrawest.com
Race Day Registration and Bib Distribution
Space permitting (100 entries maximum)
Held from 8:30 am to 9:30 am in the Rendezvous on Saturday, January 13, 2007 (possibly on Sunday, January 14, 2007 if space permits). Each participant must have a signed 2006-2007 event waiver by Saturday morning at the latest.
An event waiver only needs to be completed once per season and can be filled out and signed at the race day registration location. If the participant is under 19 years, the waiver must be co-signed by a parent or guardian.
Daily Schedule
Saturday, January 13, 2007
8:30am - 9:30am - Day of registration in the Rendezvous
9:00am - Mandatory coaches and competitor's check-in at the Rendezvous to discuss format and rules. During the day competitors will have the chance to review terrain and event sites. Look for the red Whistler Blackcomb flags to mark the starts of each venue.
1) Big Mountain - location tba
2) Slopestyle in the Blue Nintendo Terrain Park
3) Timed Race in the Snowcross Track
Sunday, January 14, 2007
9:00am - Bib pick up at the Rendezvous
10:00am – 2:00pm - Competition Venue Rotation - Kids will be split into 3 groups and will rotate through 3 events:
1) Big Mountain – location tba
2) Slopestyle in the Blue Nintendo Terrain Park
3) Timed Race in the Snowcross Track
2:00pm – 3:00pm - All competitors must meet at the Half Pipe for a fun exhibition session and final judging.
3:30pm - Après at 18 Below - (3:30) video and (4:00) draw prizes and announcement of Semi Finalists.
6:15pm - 10 semi finalists are invited to the Fire and Ice Show in the village and will jump to determine the winners.
Judging Criteria
Every kid/teen selected as a winner must prove to be an excellent skier or snowboarder, but the competition IS NOT based upon on-snow talent alone. Other factors taken into consideration include:
- Age and size – All contestants must be 9 through 13 years of age at some point in 2007 (born 1993-98) to compete. No one expects that a 9-year-old to be a better skier/rider than all the 13-year-olds to make the Next Snow TEAM. Being young or small is not necessarily a disadvantage.
- Equipment – Skis, snowboards, adaptive equipment, snow skates, telemark skis, ski blades and any other equipment that a resort normally allows on the slope is allowed (all equipment is at the sole discretion of the host resort). The Next Snow Team will consist of kids using a variety of equipment.
- Physical capability and meeting a challenge – Athletes who use adaptive equipment like a sitski or outriggers are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow SEARCH. Same with skiers and riders who are blind or have other physical challenges. Like all other athletes, they must be talented on snow, but no one expects them to be able to do the exact same tricks.
- Variety counts – The Next Snow SEARCH is an all-mountain, all-terrain freeride competition. Whistler Blackcomb will use any or all of the following to determine riding ability: Steeps and deeps, powder, mogul runs, jumps, terrain parks, rails, half-pipes, cruisers, race courses, and any other terrain that the mountain has to offer. We are looking for kids who can ski in many types of terrain and conditions, not specialists in one area.
- Personality, attitude, and style are important – These qualities can HELP a kid get noticed in a positive way. Everyone likes a person who is fun, outgoing, or even a little quirky. Respect, determination, cooperation, and being organized are also good traits to have.
- Helmets are mandatory
- Self-centered, obnoxious, rude, and disrespectful behaviors are also ways for a person to get noticed. At the Next Snow SEARCH, they are sure fire ways to guarantee rejection! A good rule of thumb is to be nice.