PACRAT Racing

Pacific Northwest Area Clubs Recreational Alpine Teams

JOIN A CLUB THAT PARTICIPATES IN PACRAT RACING!

It’s about having fun in the snow, improving your skills, and enjoying the company of 9 team-mates. You ski with them, race with them, and party with them at the end of the day!

 1.  PACRAT teams consist of  10 members.  They can be any mix of skiers, snowboarders, male, or female. If you start a season as a snowboarder, you should race all season as a snowboarder. No switching in the middle of the season is allowed. For best team results, a mix of beginners, intermediates and advanced racers is best. Each will then compete in their own category. We’ll find you a spot on a team. Talk to your club’s Racing Director, or contact an individual team captain.

 2.  Several races are organized each winter season.  Points are awarded at each race, both individually and for team standings.

3.  Racers get discounted lift tickets at the registration desk. Don't buy a ticket from the ticket window, unless so instructed.

4.  Every racer receives a bib number at the beginning of the season. This is your permanent ID for the season. Keep it in a pocket. Always bring it on race day. It is your ID at the party too!

 5.  Everyone is supposed to take two runs: one on the blue course, one on the red. We are expected to race as a team, i.e. we should all show up at the starting gate at the same time.  Estimated starting times will be posted in the lodge on the day of the race. Show up at the top of the course at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time. Arrange your team in ascending order of  bib numbers.

6.  After the first run, there is usually plenty of time for some free skiing and/or a lunch break before the start of the second run.

7.  There is a party in the lodge after most races, usually starting around 3:00 or 3:30pm. There are free drinks, food, door prizes, announcements of race results, etc.  Come early if you want a place to sit!  It can get a bit crowded.  For the door prizes, you have to be present to win. Guests are welcome to the party, for a small fee for the food and drinks, but guests do not qualify for door prizes.

8.  Racers are grouped by ability into 7 groups, from beginners to experts. Your time in the first race will determine which group you will be placed in. If you significantly exceed your group's handicap range even once, you will be bumped up into a higher group for the next race. It takes two below par results to trigger a bumping down into a lower group. You can track your individual progress by observing your handicap from race to race.

9.  As a team, we generate points as follows:  Every racer gets 1 point for starting in a race.  Placement points are awarded to the top finishers in each group. Ten points for first place in any category. Additional three bonus points are awarded for improving your handicap from race to race.

10.  Only your best run counts.  You are not disqualified if you fall or miss a gate in one of your runs, as long as you successfully complete the other run.

JUST LET US KNOW, AND WE’LL PUT YOU ON A TEAM!

GOOD LUCK !    AND HAVE FUN!

Before every race, check out the PACRATS web site for the latest announcements.

Go back to main Racing page.

HOW TO JOIN A TEAM

Even if you have never dreamed of being a racer, give it a try.  It's well worth it. It will enhance your social life, and improve your carving skills! Please try to join by mid-November, when most of the teams are formed. Our annual Membership Party in November is usually the last chance to sign up for a team. But, try to contact us before that. Here's how to proceed: