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Abenaki
Ski TeamRegister

Worker credits

Parents run
race day

The people in the timing booth, on the gates and at the finish are all parents. A few shifts a season from each family puts a race on.

Sign up for a shiftSeason calendar
Two race officials with radios and a clipboard outside the Abenaki Ski Team hut

How credits work

The club relies on its families to run every race and event of the season. A shift on the hill is how a family supports its own athletes and helps them compete at their home mountain. When everyone takes one, nobody carries the whole day, and every athlete gets a better event.

Alpine Race families owe 3 credits a season, Freestyle and Junior Freestyle 2, Nordic 1. Learn to Ski, Alpine Development and Race League owe none.

01

One number per family

Credits are per family, not per kid. If your kids are in more than one program, you owe the larger number, not the two added together. One athlete in Alpine Race and one in Nordic is 3 credits, not 4. Any event counts, not only your own program’s.

02

One shift, one credit

Complete the entire shift to earn one credit. Work the Ski & Skate Sale and the whole family earns one.

03

No experience necessary

We will train you. Gate judging, hand timing and most other race-day jobs are taught on the morning of the event.

Sign up for a shift

Pick the event and the job. Choose races your athlete is in, and check the away-race schedule before you commit.

Cancel up to 5 days before the event. Inside that window, email the coordinator.

What each event needs

Ski & Skate Sale

Saturday, November 14 · Kingswood Regional High School.

  • Pickup Truck and Driver

    Bring a pickup truck to Pine Hill Storage on setup day to carry the sale's gear to Kingswood.

  • Setup

    Set up tables, skis and other snow sports gear for the sale, and place merchandise.

  • Consignment Drop-Off

    Take in consigned gear and tag it. Easy instructions and guidance provided.

  • Checkout

    Ring up sales and take payment at the checkout tables.

  • Security

    Watch the doors and the gear during the sale.

  • Floor Help

    Help shoppers find gear and keep the racks in order.

  • Bookkeeping

    Keep track of what sells and the money taken.

  • Breakdown

    Pack up the sale after it closes, with the ski team's athletes.

  • Shop Coordination

    Liaison with ski shops.

  • Marketing Support

    Assist with executing the marketing plan.

Alpine races

Boxer Short Race, Chewy Slalom, U10 Combi and Slalom Jamboree.

If you have never worked a race, start with gate judge, course worker or hand timer.

On the hill, on skis

  • Head Gate Judge

    Supervises all gate judges; supports gate assignments and course integrity.

  • Gate Judge

    You’ll be on the hill watching to make sure athletes go through the correct gates. Don’t worry- we’ll train you on what to look for. And if your kids are racing, this is one of the BEST spots to watch them from. No skis required, you can walk up! Watch the US Ski & Snowboard training video (opens in a new tab) before race day.

  • Course Worker

    Responsible for set-up and assisting as needed. During the race, will help maintain a fair course. At the conclusion, assisting with clean up. This is a physical job; intermediate to advanced skiing required.

  • Starter

    Releases racers from the start gate; works with timing and the Start Referee.

  • Start Roundup

    Calls racers to the start gate in bib order and makes sure they're ready to go before their name is called; must project clearly. Not to be confused with the Starter.

  • Start Hand Timer

    Uses a stopwatch to time racers at the start. Two volunteers work best to keep hands warm, one holds the stopwatch and calls out the athletes' times while the other writes it down.

  • Start Hand Timer - Second Course

    Dual panel course means there are two starts, this job is for the second starting line. Uses a stopwatch to time racers at the start. Two volunteers work best to keep hands warm; one holds the stopwatch and calls out the athletes' times, the other writes it down.

At the lodge and the finish, no skiing

  • Finish Hand Timer

    Uses a stopwatch to time racers at the finish. Two volunteers work best to keep hands warm; one holds the stopwatch and calls out the athletes' times, the other writes it down.

  • Finish Hand Timer - Second Course

    Dual panel course means there are two finishes, this job is for the second finish line. Uses a stopwatch to time racers at the start. Two volunteers work best to keep hands warm; one holds the stopwatch and calls out the athletes' times, the other writes it down.

  • Backup Timer

    Operates the backup timing computer; computer proficiency required.

  • Announcer

    Announces real-time results over the PA from the timing booth.

  • Scoreboard Keeper

    Write racers’ times on the timing poster outside the race shed as they are announced, keeping the poster updated throughout the race. Two volunteers work best- one reads the times aloud, while the other records.

  • Workers Lunch Coordinator

    Works with the Club Administrator to purchase and serve lunch for volunteers; all expenses reimbursed.

  • Race Registration

    Hands out bib bags to participating ski teams.

  • Finish Setup & Bib Collection

    Collects the bibs after the athletes' final run, sets up the finish area with the sponsor flags and podiums after the race concludes.

Needs a certification

These jobs run the race, and each needs a current US Ski & Snowboard Alpine Official card. The club pays for the clinic.

  • Chief of Race

    Oversees and runs the race; controls all race officials; member of the Race Jury.

  • Chief of Course

    Responsible for course setup and maintenance; coordinates course workers.

  • Chief of Timing

    Manages timing and calculations; publishes official results.

  • Start Referee

    Enforces start-gate rules and reports violations to the Referee.

  • Finish Referee

    Monitors the finish area and finish-line rule compliance.

Freestyle events

.

On the hill, on skis

  • Starter

    Delivers start commands and records timing; works with the Assistant Starter.

  • Assistant Starter

    Calls competitors in bib order and checks equipment.

  • Announcer

    The announcer sits warm and cozy in the race shed with the timing team and will be responsible for announcing all competitors on course and their finish times. Should be comfortable speaking on a microphone.

  • Course Crew

    Maintains the venue, start and finish areas, jumps and landings. Physical.

  • Score Runner

    Skis completed scorecards to the competition center.

At the lodge and the finish, no skiing

  • Scoring Assistant

    Organizes and prepares score sheets for judges, inputs results into spreadsheet in the race shed.

  • Registration Assistant

    Day-of registration, bib distribution and collection, lunch delivery, après-ski setup.

Questions families ask

What if I no-show, or cancel inside the 5-day window?

We rely heavily on Worker Credit volunteers. A no-show, or a cancellation inside the 5-day window before an event, puts the event at risk of cancellation. Contact the volunteer coordinator if you have any questions.

Can I change my commitment dates?

You can request cancellation of a work obligation up to 5 days before the event, but you must find a replacement date later in the season. Inside the 5-day window, contact the volunteer coordinator.

I've never worked a ski race. How do I start?

Course worker, gate judge or hand timer is a great introduction. You'll get instruction on the morning of the event. As you progress you might get your Alpine Official license and attend a certification clinic to qualify for more roles.

Which races should I sign up for?

Choose races your child is in. Also check your child's away-race schedule and possible championship or invitational events they may qualify for before committing.

Do I need special training?

Gatekeeping, hand timing and similar roles are taught on the morning of the event. Timing and other roles that require Alpine Official certification need a US Ski & Snowboard or NHARA clinic; several are held each fall.

Are races canceled for weather?

Seldom. Be prepared for cold, wind, sleet and rain.

What if I don't ski?

There are a limited number of non-skiing roles: registration, catering, and positions near the finish for anyone willing to hike a little.

Anything else, reach the volunteer coordinator at admin@abenakiskiteam.org.

Your family’s count

The volunteer coordinator confirms every shift by email and keeps each family’s count. Email to ask how many you have.

Email the coordinatorSeason calendar