Volunteers are crucial for successful
High School Ski Racing.
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Volunteer
Help Make Race Day Happen
It takes our entire community to create a great race day experience. Families, alumni, and volunteers are essential to the success of the Central Oregon League and the opportunities we provide our student-athletes. We offer a variety of volunteer roles for all experience levels, both on and off the hill, with positions that do and do not require skiing or riding. Training and resources are provided, so whether it’s your first race day or your fiftieth, we’ll help you feel prepared and welcomed.
Volunteer Role Guide
Volunteer positions are marked by difficulty level and whether skiing or lift access is required, helping you find the role that’s right for you.
Green Circle
Beginner / Easiest
Great for first-time volunteers or anyone looking for a low-pressure race day role.
Blue Square
Intermediate
Best for volunteers with some race day experience or comfort around ski operations.
Black Diamond
Advanced
Higher-responsibility roles that require experience and alpine race knowledge.
Double Diamond
Expert
Specialized leadership or technical roles, often for experienced or certified officials.
Lift Access Required
Ski/Ride Required
These positions require lift access and skiing or riding ability. Lift tickets are provided.
No Lift Access Needed
No Skiing Required
Helpful race day roles that can be completed without skiing, riding, or lift access.
Volunteer Positions
GATE JUDGES
Skiing or snowboarding is required for this role. Gate Judges play a critical role in ensuring fair competition by observing whether each athlete correctly passes through their assigned set of gates. Volunteers are responsible for promptly and accurately identifying and documenting any missed gates or rule infractions, known as a “fault.”
Each Gate Judge is assigned a section of the course by the Chief Gate Judge and monitors that area throughout the race. In addition to recording competitor passage, Gate Judges help maintain the integrity of the course by notifying officials of any concerns and repositioning gates or poles that have been displaced by racers.
In the event of a disqualification involving their assigned gates, Gate Judges may be asked to participate in a post-race jury meeting to provide information about the incident.
Because this is one of the most important volunteer positions on race day, all Gate Judges are asked to complete a brief training video prior to the event to become familiar with the rules, procedures, and responsibilities of the role.
Before each race, the Chief Gate Judge conducts a short orientation meeting at race headquarters, typically beginning at 8:15 a.m.
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. The assistant starter works with and at the direction of the Start Referee.
START/FINISH HAND TIMER
The ability to ski or snowboard is required. These individuals are posted at the start or finish area, and manually record each competitor's start/finish time using a handheld timing device. 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 & CROSSING GUARD HELPER
Skiing or snowboarding is required for this role. Crossing Guards help maintain a safe race environment by managing skier and snowboarder traffic at course crossings and return trails that intersect the racecourse. They also assist the public in safely navigating across the course when directed. Previous experience is helpful but not required, and volunteers will receive guidance on race day.
COURSE COMMUNICATIONS
Skiing or snowboarding is required for this role. Course Communications volunteers are stationed at designated locations along the racecourse and use two-way radios to relay important information between course personnel, the Starter, and the Chief of Timing. They report course conditions, fallen competitors, obstructions, and other safety concerns to help keep the race running smoothly and safely. Volunteers should be comfortable skiing to and from their assigned location. No prior experience is necessary, and training will be provided.
COURSE CREW/MAINTENANCE
Experienced skiers only. Early lift loading at 8:15 a.m. is required. Course Crew volunteers help set up and tear down the racecourse, maintain the racing surface, and adjust gates throughout the day. This physically demanding role includes side slipping, carrying equipment, using course tools, and occasionally hiking on snow. Volunteers work under the direction of the Chief of Course to keep the racecourse safe and competition-ready. Please do not bring ski poles.
SCOREBOARD KEEPER
No skiing or snowboarding is required, although non-skiers should be comfortable with a short hike to the finish area. Scoreboard Volunteers set up the finish-area scoreboard, record race times communicated by the Chief of Timing via radio, and return the scoreboard materials to race headquarters at the end of the day.
RACE BIB COORDINATOR
No skiing or snowboarding is required, although non-skiers should be comfortable with a short hike to the finish area. Race Bib Coordinators collect bibs from athletes after their second run, track any missing bibs using the official start list, and prepare the bibs for the next race by drying and sorting them by team. Bibs must be returned to the Race Director by 7:30 a.m. on the following race day.
Ready to Volunteer?
Thank you for supporting our student-athletes and helping make race day possible. Before your first assignment, complete these three simple steps to sign up, register, and submit your waiver.
Volunteer Sign-Up
View available race day positions and choose the volunteer role that's right for you.
Choose a Role →Volunteer Registration
Complete your required volunteer registration before participating this season.
Register Now →Volunteer Waiver
Review and submit the required waiver form before your first race day assignment.
Complete Waiver →Race Day Schedule
A typical race day runs something like the one outlined below. Due to weather and other circumstances, schedules often change, so please be flexible.
7:45 - 8:45 AM: Volunteers check-in.
8:15 AM Gate Judge meeting at race headquarters. Please check in prior to the meeting.
9:05 AM Coaches meet at the top of the course, just prior to the course inspection opening.
9:10 AM Racers begin 1st run course inspection (upon completion of course setting and if ski area lifts are open to racers).
9:40 AM Course closed to inspection (30 min inspection period).
9:45 AM 1st run begins with racers running in the following order unless changed by the jury:
Forerunners, Women Varsity, Women JV, Men Varsity, Men JV
30 minutes after 1st run conclusion, the 2nd run course is open for a 30-minute inspection period.
60 minutes after the first run conclusion, the 2nd run begins.
The DQ list is usually posted within 30 minutes after the conclusion of the second run.
Protests are due within 15 minutes of the posting of the DQ list.
If necessary, a Race Jury meeting to consider protests or other race-governing issues will be held after the protest period has ended. This meeting is usually held in the race headquarters area.
Daily awards: Held at/near the race headquarters area in the lodge after the results have been declared official by the jury.

