PSEF News: FALL 2020

PSEF is pleased to report that we have been continuing our efforts to enhance the Pico Jr. Ski Racing Development Venue.  With much of the clearing and contouring work on B-Slope (our primary racing/training area) complete, we focused our attention this summer on improving accessibility to the venue for athletes of all ages and abilities.  

Earlier this year, we were approved to receive a $15,000 grant from the Killington World Cup Foundation (KWCF) towards renovations to A-Slope Cutoff. Working closely with the Killington/Pico Resort and a team of engineers, our next phase of venue improvements will include trail modifications to provide a less challenging means to access A-Slope. Not only will this "connector" provide better/safer access for less experienced athletes, these changes will also facilitate use of A-Slope as a secondary training area.

The design for the upgrades was completed this summer and the trail boundaries flagged by the engineers. With a proposed budget of $50,000 and all permits filed, we have a tentative start date for the new trail work and upgrades to continue Spring/Summer 2021.

We are so excited to begin another year of our race programs at the Pico Ski Club. 

PSC is offering programming for athletes ages 5 -19. Please note, the format of the Youth Program has been modified and will continue to be updated as we navigate through the pandemic, the VT health and safety protocols, and Pico resort requirements.  PSC is dedicated to keeping the health and safety of our athletes and families a priority and will be implementing some of the following protocols:

• a system for health checks
• staggered start and end times for training for each age group 
• all training sessions will be car to lift (drop & go) for the first part of the season. Athletes will need to be ready to ski when they exit their vehicles

Additional information and link to register your athlete for the 2020-2021 season can be found on the PSC website: https://www.picoskiclub.com/news_article/show/1127407

Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest mountain resort in Eastern North America and a POWDR company, announced today it will not be the host venue for the HomeLight Killington Cup race this year following a recent decision made jointly by the International Ski Federation, National Ski Associations and local organizing committees in Canada and the U.S.A to restrict the Alpine Skiing World Cup tour to European through early December, 2020.

“We take a lot of pride in hosting the FIS Ski World Cup at Killington and we’re disappointed that we won’t be able to host it this year. It’s a world-class event that brings the entire Killington community together every fall to celebrate the world’s fastest female ski racers,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. “It’s unfortunate that we can’t bring thousands of fans together for another World Cup race this season, but we fully support the FIS’ decision and know it’s best for the health and well-being of our community, guests, and employees given the current health crisis. We will continue to focus on the upcoming 2020-2021 winter season and welcoming back fans of ski racing in 2021 for the fifth Killington Cup.”  

The FIS venue changes will cancel the women's races at Killington, VT, on Nov. 28-29, and Lake Louise, Canada, on Dec. 1-6. The men will see cancellations in Lake Louise, Nov. 25-29 and at Beaver Creek, Colo. Dec. 1-6.

“As much as we regret not being able to host the HomeLight Killington Cup this year, we have to be smart, keep everyone safe and focus efforts on keeping Killington operating in these challenging times,” says Herwig Demschar, chair of the local organizing committee in Killington. “I am confident that the dedication of our volunteers, the support of our community and the passion of our fans will not be diminished by our hiatus, and we look forward to getting together again next year to celebrate the women who will continue to train and compete to be the best in the world.”

Killington, POWDR, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard have already committed to bringing FIS Alpine World Cup racing back to Killington Resort for the 2021/22 Olympic Qualification season. The HomeLight Killington Cup is a festival of skiing for the fans and athletes, and over the last four years has become one of the top three events on the Women’s FIS World Cup tour. Killington looks forward to celebrating ski racing excellence, convening the international race community, and inspiring the next generation of ski racers November 27-28, 2021.