Edited for the 2022-2023 Season:
Monday night racing is a fun way to enjoy competitive skiing and snowboarding. This program is open to all adults (18+) and all ability levels. Participants are arranged into age groups, male and female groups, and new for 2018-2019 season skier and snowboarder groups.
Who can race?
Any adult member, 18 years old by January 1st, of a Connecticut Ski Council (CSC) club.
But I've never raced before?
Can you ski down Thunderbolt trail at Mount Southington with linked turns? If you can, then you can race.
But I'm not good enough to win?
Everyone who races earns points for their club. The goal of Monday night racing is to have fun and to recognize the CSC club that earns the most points by the end of the season. Each age/gender group will also recognize the highest point earners at the end of the season. That said, not every age/gender group has racers. If you happen to be in a group with few or no other racers, you can be a top point earner even if you think you're one of the slower people on the hill.
Do I need special race equipment?
No. The only safety requirement is that ALL racers must wear a helmet. Race suits are not required, nor are race specific skis or snowboards.
Am I racing against another person?
No, not directly. Two courses is set, but racing is not head to head. One course (blue) is for male skiers and the other (red) is for female skiers, senior skiers, and male/female Snowboarders. Currently, there is not a class for telemark skiers, if a few like minded tele-skiers want to join the Monday night program, contact the race captain to start petitioning for inclusion. The start house race coordinator will tell you when to start and you're just skiing or snowboarding against the clock.
What if I fall or ski out of course?
Safely and quickly clear the course. Be mindful of the other courses, someone may be mid-run on any other course. The race directors are monitoring the course and will stop racers from starting until the course is clear. If you have not missed a gate, you are allowed to get up and complete your run if you wish to do so. If you ski out of course, miss a gate, or choose to not finish the run, ski down the sides of the trail and do NOT ski through the finish triggers.
What if I did not finish a run?
All participants get two runs each night. Your fastest time counts. A Did Not Finish (DNF) does not eliminate you for the night. Just successfully complete one run to score points.
Do I need a lift ticket?
Yes, however you need a race lift ticket. These are purchased in advance through the SkiAdminRacing.com website. You MUST sign up on AdminSkiRacing website for any race by Monday NOON on race day. You can NOT buy your lift ticket at a ticket window. Race tickets are picked up at the race window outside.
What if I have a season pass?
You must still purchase a race lift ticket through AdminSkiRacing.com, but it will be at a discounted price.
I bought my race lift ticket, now what?
You will need to register for the race (see Do I need a lift ticket? above). Go to the special window outside to picket up your race lift ticket. If it is your first night racing for the season, you will be also issued a racer bib which you will use for the season. You can then walk into the ski area drop your skis/snowboard at the back of the mountain room, enter the mountain room lounge and get suited up for the night. Bags MUST be placed on the racks across from the main seating area. Do NOT leave bags or personal items at tables and do not move tables around at this time. MTL will have tables for club members reserved in the Mountain Room after racing.
What happens if I prepay for a race and it gets canceled or I am unable to race?
Contact the Race Director ASAP and you will be refunded through AdminSkiRacing. If a week is canceled by weather the Race Director may roll your registration over to the next week, if you can not attend that next night, again contact the Race Director for a refund.
What time is registration?
Registration is between 5:30 and 7:00ish.
What days are we racing?
The schedule is listed on the MTL website calendar. Cancellations due to inclement weather will be sent out via email blast as early as possible.
What time is the race?
Races normally start at 7:30. If you have signed up for extra NASTAR runs, that course opens at 7:00PM. NASTAR course is to skier's right closest to the Thunderbolt lift with its own small starter's shack. Once the courses are set by race staff individuals may inspect the course and may be requested to slip the course. Do not race the course or shadow the course (racing parallel to the actual course) during the course inspection time period!
Where is the race?
Thunderbolt trail. This is the far right trail when looking up the mountain.
How do I get to the race start?
Take the Thunderbolt triple lift (right next to the race course) Take the Steeplechased trail to Thunderbolt trail the race start house if to the right side of the trail. From the Avalanche double lift take Steeplechase to Thunderbolt. There will normally be fences restricting entrance to Thunderbolt to keep non-racers off that trail.
When is it my turn to race?
Racers will line up in bib number order. Race officials randomly select starting numbers at the beginning of each night. New for 2022-2023 season Men's N 73-77, Men's O 78+, Women's H 69-75, & Women's I 76+ will race first on the Senior course. The remaining Senior Men, Women, and Snowboarders will line up in bib order and start based on the randomly drawn start number.
What if my bib number is lower than the starting number?
After the highest bib number has run, the next number returns to 1 (for blue) or 101 ( for red) and starts up again back to the starting number. When the line returns to the starting number that starts the second run.
What if the race has already passed my number when I get to the start house?
Do worry, this is for fun. Just get in line, explain to other racers you missed your start and people will let you move up the line to get your run in. You will NOT be disqualified for missing your start in the line.
Do I need to make both runs?
No. As long a you successfully complete one run, you will score points.
Stay for the food and comradery.
After our runs MTL members meet in the Mountain Room for pizza, beer and goodies. Some team members bring treats to share and the club helps with the cost of pizza for racers.
Monday Night Race Captain