VOLUNTEER

2026 Sign-up

Because volunteering is such an important part of team participation, are asking that each family volunteer at a minumum of 2-3 races. We need 25+ volunteers each race day!

Questions about volunteering? Please contact us at emeraldskivolunteers@gmail.com

We need your help!

Without adults filling these important roles, we could not give our athletes a race day. Getting involved is easy, fun, and you meet lots of people who also love ski racing! Volunteer opportunities are available from beginner to advanced, both off and on-hill, with and without skiing and riding required. Training will be provided for our volunteers. As well, video resources are available.

Green Circle

BEGINNER/EASIEST

Ideal for first-time volunteers or those seeking low-pressure roles

Double Diamond

EXPERT

Highly specialized leadership and technical roles, often certified or highly experienced

Blue Square

INTERMEDIATE

Requires some experience or comfort with ski and race operations

No Lift Ticket

SKI/RIDE NOT REQUIRED

These roles do not require lift access with skiing and/or riding required to perform duties

Black Diamond

ADVANCED

High responsibility roles requiring experience and alpine race specific rule knowledge

Lift Ticket

SKI/RIDE REQUIRED

These roles require skiing and/or riding access to perform duties; Lift ticket provided

JOB DESCRIPTIONS & TRAINING

The positions listed below are needed for each race. Training for most of the positions will be led by the volunteer in charge of that part of the race, with the exception of Gatekeeping. A training video link is provided below.

RACE DAY CHECK-IN (1-2):

On race day, officials and other volunteer workers get checked in before the race and are issued the necessary items to do their job (lift passes, radios, lunch bags, vests, and packets). Check-in help is often needed. When the race is over, one or more persons need to be ready in the finish area to collect gear from all the workers as they come in.

COURSE SETUP / MAINTENANCE CREW (6-9):

Maintenance workers help with the setup of start/finish areas, setting fences, and other equipment, as directed by course officials. During the race, they assist with course grooming and gate replacement. After the race, they help as needed with course teardown, assisting officials and the responsible school teams. Maintenance workers should be confident skiers and ready for a hard day's work if snow and weather conditions are bad. They should be able to work most, if not all of the races, in order to develop skill on the job, and should be able to get to the race by 2hrs prior to race start and attend the pre-race officials meeting.

GATE JUDGE / SAFETY MONITOR (9-15):

Gate Judges, also known as gatekeepers, are responsible for monitoring and recording the correct passage of each racer through a set of gates on the course, assigned to them by the chief gatekeeper. They keep an eye on their section of the course, alerting officials if something is amiss, such as replacing poles knocked askew by racers. They may need to be available at a post-race jury meeting if involved in a racer's disqualification. All gatekeepers are expected to attend a pre-race training session, usually scheduled for 1 hour before the race starts. Non-lift riding volunteers can serve in walk-up positions at some resorts. New volunteers will be trained. This is one of our most important jobs on race day. Training videos:

USSS Gate Judge Training Video

Basic GS Rules

Basic SL Rules

ASSISTANT STARTER (1):

This position serves as an organizer at the Start of the course, helping to line racers up in the correct order and pass on any instructions from the Start Referee to participants.

STARTER (1):
Responsible for starting racers from the start gate by giving them a count-down (5, 4, 3, 2....). Works closely with the Start Referee to send racers onto the course in an organized and safe manner. Follows directions from officials and the Chief of Timing to maintain a safe spacing of racers at intervals on the race course, and holds racers at the start when a stop is called.

CROSSING GUARDS (1-2):

Crossing guards monitor the entrances of any trails that cross the race course to ensure that the course is always clear for oncoming racers. Utmost attention to the race is required to make sure the general public is allowed to cross the course only when safe to do so.

START AND FINISH HAND TIMERS (2- 4):
Responsible for capturing a stopwatch time stamp for each racer, providing manual backup to the electronic timing system. Two hand timers each are stationed at the start and finish lines. Requires use of a stop watch, and be able to record numbers accurately. Hand-timers should attend a pre-race timing meeting. Afterward, report to the start or finish referee at the start/finish areas one-half hour prior to race time. Finish hand timers may be able to walk to their position.

BIB COLLECTOR (1):

Collects bibs from racers as they finish their last run of the day. The bib collector should report to the finish referee at the finish area 15 minutes prior to the start of the last run.

BIB SORTING (1):

After each race, the bibs that have been collected need to be washed. Bib numbers are reviewed and any missing numbers need to be reported to the Race Order Coordinator. Prior to the next race, the numbered bibs need to be pre-sorted by the team, based on the weekly race order. They need to be brought to the mountain early on race morning to be distributed to the coaches. Except for getting the bibs to and from the race venue, this job is an off-mountain one.

TIMING ASSISTANT (1-2):

Assists the Chief of Timing with accurately capturing each racer's time using specialized electronic timing equipment and software. Experience with spreadsheets and numerical calculation is helpful. Most of the role occurs inside the timing shack, with some flatland help with setup, teardown, and troubleshooting timing systems at the finish. Training will be provided.

RACE RESULTS CALCULATIONS / STATS (1):

Responsible for taking the official race timing outputs from the Chief of Timing and calculating the final results rankings to determine individual and team points. This position must be able to turn around final results in Google Sheets within 24 hours of a race. Proficient spreadsheet and calculation experience are needed, and the position does not require the volunteer to be at the mountain.

AWARDS COORDINATOR (1-2):

A person is needed to coordinate the ribbons and/or medals given after each race. And the design and purchase of trophies given out at the post-league awards event.

RACE OFFICIALS

The following Race Official positions require specialized alpine ski racing experience and/or officials training and certifications, such as USSS. If you have prior experience with or without certification, or a desire to shadow and learn any of the following positions, please let us know!

ADVANCED OFFICIALS ROLES (requires prior experience)

Start Referee
Finish Referee
Chief of Course
Chief of Gates

EXPERT CERTIFIED OFFICIALS ROLES (requires USSS Certification)

Technical Delegate
Referee
Chief of Race
Chief of Timing

READY TO GET INVOLVED?