NASTAR Nationals Returns To Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today that the Liberty Mutual Insurance NASTAR National Championships will return to Squaw Valley April 3-7, 2019. With U.S. Alpine Championships and NorAm Finals wrapping up in March, the early April dates will allow for maximum attendance from U.S. Ski Team members and ideal timing for good snow cover at Squaw Valley.
 
The passion and dedication of the NASTAR community was on full display at last year’s Nationals at Squaw Valley, complimented by steep, fast courses, celebrity pacesetter appearances from the likes of Daron Rahlves and Marco Sullivan and a wide range of entertainment options at the resort and beyond.

“Squaw Valley showed such dedication to putting on a great event for our racers last year,” said Director of NASTAR Bill Madsen. “We are excited to bring the Liberty Mutual Insurance NASTAR National Championships back to Squaw Valley and once again provide the NASTAR nation with the opportunity to experience western spring skiing in all of its glory.”

Squaw Valley sees an average of six feet of snow in the month of March, making early April a prime time for a racing event. In addition to great skiing conditions, the Tahoe area has plenty of activities for the NASTAR individual and family alike. Squaw Valley offers activities like snow tubing, mini-snowmobiling and a free Olympic Museum accessed by the scenic Aerial Tram to High Camp at 8,200 feet. The stunning blue water of Lake Tahoe is just a 10 minute drive from the resort. The North Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas have a diverse range of dining options, museums, activities, events and nightlife.
 
“Everyone at Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows is looking forward to hosting our second year of NASTAR Nationals,” said James Clifford, Squaw Valley events services manager. “We saw a record-breaking year in participation in the NASTAR race course at the resort, which tells us that interest in our region is growing rapidly. The season-long course is a fun, easy way for skiers and riders of all ability levels to try out racing. The stoke level of the NASTAR athletes is something that brings amazing energy to both of our mountains and we can’t wait to entertain these passionate racers for yet another year.”

NASTAR participants qualify for the championships by winning a medal on two or more race days at any of the 100+ NASTAR resorts during the 2018-19 season within their age, gender and ability group. Racers can also qualify by earning a top ranking at a Regional Championship event. In addition to the Alpine Ski division, the NASTAR National Championships will also host snowboard, telemark and physically challenged disciplines. Just a 45-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) airport via all-weather Interstate 80, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows can be easily reached on nonstop flights daily from 20 U.S. cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York and more. 

NASTAR stands for NAtional STAndard Race and is the largest public grassroots ski racing program in the world. Founded in 1968, NASTAR gives recreational racers an opportunity to compete and compare their scores to friends and family regardless of when and where they race using the NASTAR handicap system. NASTAR was developed by SKI Magazine in 1968 and now boasts more than 100,000 races at over 100 resorts around the country.  Racers are scored with a handicap system that provides participants with a tangible number, or handicap, that represents their ability against U.S. Ski Team athletes and pacesetters. Today, NASTAR is operated by U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Through this association with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard and U.S. Ski Team, NASTAR is bringing greater awareness to the sport and value to the industry while motivating participants of all ages to get involved in ski racing.