The Tahoe League is a developmental alpine ski race league for athletes from age 7 to 17. The League consists of approximately 14 teams representing ski areas and private clubs in the Lake Tahoe, California vicinity. For links to each team's own website, see "League Info".
Teams practice throughout the winter and six races are conducted each season. In each race, atheletes compete against others in their age and gender group. Age groups are: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15+. For links to the results from each individual race, see "Race Results".
During the season, points are awarded for placement in each race. The 1st place finisher in each group gets 25 points, 2nd place is worth 20, 3rd place 15. From 4th place down to 15th, the finisher gets 12, 11, 10, 9, etc. down to 1 point for the 15th place finisher. At the end of the season, the racer in each group with the most points is declared the League Champion. For links to the up-to-date standings for each age group, see "Standings".
The Tahoe League has been a fixture in the Tahoe basin for over two decades. The League provides an opportunity for young skiers to have fun and compete in quality competition while learning racing skills. Many racers from the Tahoe League go on to compete in USSA sponsored competitions in the Far West division. Since the League is developmental, special rules apply to restrict eligibility for top-level USSA racers. This keeps the focus on learning and fun in the Tahoe League.
For more information, contacts are listed on the "League Info" page.
THINK SNOW!
Back in the early 1980's young racers had few options to pursue ski racing. That all changed when some foreward thinking coaches got together to discuss the matter.
Those pioneers believed a Tahoe area race league would give athletes more opportunities to race and see how they stood against their peers. One problem in most areas is the physical distance between the ski areas. That's not a problem in the Tahoe Area, where over a dozen ski areas, plus some private teams and public parks and recreation departments all train ski racers. So the idea was born and a race series launched.
Over the years, many successful racers have gone on to excel at higher levels of racing. In fact, Olympians Daron Rahlves, Caroline Lalive, Julia Mancuso and Stacey Cook are just a few of the stars who skied in the Tahoe League early in their careers. You never know which future stars you might be watching now!
Some 25 years after it's founding, the league is not only "going strong" but growing too. Programs have continued to enter the league and start sending racers to the series. In fact, in the beginning the league was actually known as the NORTH Tahoe League! Now both Heavenly and Sierra-at-Tahoe send racers, plus host events themselves. In addition, Reno Parks and Recreation runs the Sky Tavern program so the League is truly a regional entity.
If you travel around the country, you'll see there is really nothing like it. Team representatives meet semi-annually to lay out a schedule, discuss any special rules that apply to a "fun league" (such as allowing a second run even if you fall, sorting the start list by teams instead of randomly, etc.)
It is a true Tahoe tradition and a source of pride for all involved.
