Volunteer Positions

GATE JUDGES:  The ability to ski or snowboard is required. Gate Judges decide whether a competitor has passed through a series of gates correctly or has committed a “fault.” Decisions must be prompt, consistent, and properly documented.

OSSA recognizes the importance of this position and conducts pre-season Gate Judge Clinics with instructions on rules and responsibilities. Annual attendance at one of these clinics is required. Before each race, the Chief Gate Judge conducts a short briefing session at race headquarters. These usually start at 8:15 am.

*Gate Judging Training

Gate Judge training clinics are conducted every race season. Watch for announcements with the latest information. For details on gate judging rules, see About Gate Judging.

ASSISTANT STARTER:  The ability to ski or snowboard is required. Using the official start order as a reference, this individual has the next 5-8 racers lined up and ready to race. Works with and at the direction of the Start Referee.

START/FINISH HAND TIMER: The ability to ski or snowboard is required. Posted at the start or finish area. Using a handheld timing device, these individuals manually record the start/finish time of each competitor. These records are used as a backup in the case of a main electronic timer malfunction. Race experience is not necessary. The Chief of Timing will give specific instructions.

CROSSING GUARD: The ability to ski or snowboard is required. These individuals control skier and snowboarder traffic at the crossover and get back trails that cross the racecourse. Experience is a plus but not required.

CROSSING HELPER: The ability to ski or snowboard is required. This individual helps guide and assist the public across the racecourse at the crossing.

HEADSET: The ability to ski or snowboard is required. Using the headset at the assigned position, these individuals communicate with the Starter and the Chief of Timing to report course conditions, fallen competitors, obstructions, or other hazards.

COURSE MAINTENANCE: Experienced skiers only, please. Early lift loading at 8:15 am will be required. Assists with 1st run and 2nd run course set up and after race tear down. Prepares and maintains the racing surface and race gates before and during the race. Involves side slipping, both individually and as a group. No ski poles, please! Carrying bundles of race gates or race equipment and the use of gate wrenches, snow rakes, and shovels will be required. Once the race starts, you may be assigned to monitor and repair a specific part of the course or work as a team, as instructed by the Chief of Course. Hiking with equipment may be required. 

SCOREBOARD:  The ability to ski or snowboard is not required, although a hike to the finish area is necessary for non-skiers. These individuals are responsible for picking up the scoreboard pack at race headquarters in the morning and mounting the score sheet on the scoreboard in the finish area. During the race, these individuals record each competitor’s time on the score sheet as communicated by the Chief of Timing via 2-way radio. After the race, the scoreboard pack and score sheet must be returned to race headquarters. 

RACE BIB COLLECTION:  The ability to ski or snowboard is not required, although a hike to the finish area is needed for non-skiers. Bib collectors are posted in the finish arena during the 2nd run of the race. After the competitors complete their 2nd run, these individuals collect the race bib from each competitor before they leave the finish area. Referencing an official start order, any missing bibs should be noted. All the gathered bibs need to be returned to race headquarters after the conclusion of the race.

ALTERNATES:  If you are signed up as an alternate, are at the ski area and available to help, please come to the check-in desk on race day morning. We might need you due to last-minute challenges, changes, or no-shows. Please don’t make a special trip to the ski area.