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126 Ratlum Road, New Hartford, CT 06057            860-379-SNOW

Winter may be over but the FUN isn't!!  Check out our Events Calendar for summer happenings!!

The Village Ride & Family Fest on 6/15, BREWFEST on 6/22, Fugitive Mud Run on 8/3!!

CT Brewer's Guild BREWFEST tickets on sale NOW!!  

Click here to purchase your BREWFEST tickets in advance & save $5!!

 

 

 
 
NASTAR Racing

 

Unlimited timed runs $12

NASTAR Course Hours

 

Sundays 1:30-4:30pm beginning Jan. 6th
Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm
Mondays 10am-1pm (11am-2pm on holidays)

To race at Ski Sundown, you will need a lift ticket or pass and a NASTAR race ticket, available at the Welcome Center.

What is NASTAR?

Developed by SKI Magazine in 1968, NASTAR (NAtional STAndard Race) is the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world. Their mission is simple - to provide a fun, competitive and easily accessible racing program that, through the development of a handicap system, allows racers of all ages and abilities a means to compare themselves with one another regardless of when and where they race.

Getting Started

If you have raced Nature Valley NASTAR since 1997, there is no need to register again. However, you should quickly verify that you are in the NASTAR database by searching for your last name in the field indicated at the top of their homepage. Also, we strongly suggest that you verify that the personal information on your Race Record is complete and accurate prior to the start of the season.

If you are new to the Nature Valley NASTAR experience, you can register online to race any time during the year. Click here to register online today and save time! If you choose to register at Ski Sundown, you will be asked to fill out a NASTAR/Ski Sundown Registration Form and your information will be transferred to the NASTAR database. You will be issued a unique NASTAR Registration Number and you can click here to track your results. Did you forget your number? No problem - click here and enter your last name in the field indicated at the top of the homepage. To race, simply give the starter at the top of the course your NASTAR Registration Number and off you go. Racers qualify for Bronze, Silver and Gold medals based on the NASTAR National handicap system for age and gender.

Want to learn more? Click here for additional information on Nature Valley NASTAR and answers to a number of frequently asked questions.

NASTAR Racing with Coaching

  • 2 hours of professional coaching during public NASTAR course hours from January 3 to February 28.
  • No pre-registration required. Purchase at our Welcome Center.

2-hour clinic (includes unlimited timed NASTAR runs)* $80

*Lift ticket/pass required

NASTAR Coaching Times

Sundays 1:30pm
Thursdays 7pm
Mondays 10am

This is the place if you want to race. Ski Sundown has a way for everyone who wants to run gates to get into the action. For kids we offer Race Team Development designed to introduce youngsters to racing skills. When your child is ready to progress to the competitive level, the Ski Sundown Ski Team has you covered with U.S.S.A. sanctioned events and ranking. For adults the Connecticut Industrial Ski Council’s Tuesday night race league promotes camaraderie through team competition. Whether you are a seasoned race veteran of any age or just want to see what it is like to run a race course, NASTAR invites you to rip it up.

 
 

Safety:

Here at Ski Sundown we strive to offer the best mountain experience. We work hard on keeping the mountain well maintained, fresh, and exciting. We want as many people to enjoy our creations as possible, that’s why we offer such a variety of Freestyle Terrain which may contain jumps, hits, ramps, banks, fun boxes, jibs, rails, half pipes, quarter pipes, mogul terrain, and other created or natural terrain features.

Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many ways. At Ski Sundown you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.

Your Responsibility Code:
  1. Always stay in control.
  2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
  3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
  4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
  5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
  6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
  7. Know how to use the lifts safely.
Be safety conscious and know the code. It's your responsibility.

Freestyle Terrain
Prior to using Freestyle Terrain, you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with Freestyle Terrain and obeying all instructions, warnings and signs. Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground, and in the air. Check out the basics, safety information and tips from the pros in the Smart Style video to enable terrain parks to be fun and safe for everyone.

Body Armor - with the popularity of so many extreme and contact sports, there are many brands, models, and options for protective padding all around the body. Many motocross, bmx, in-line skating, and skateboard shops have a variety of gear that is comfortable to wear and fits easily as a layer under your coat and pants. Protecting the tailbone and hipbones with padded shorts or pants is common.

Knee, elbow, shoulder pads, and wrist guards are other options.

Know your limits and ability level and select the appropriate Freestyle Terrain for you.

Your condition, speed, balance, body movements, alignment, trajectory and maneuver difficulty will directly affect your desired outcome.

Know the intended use of the Freestyle Terrain you have chosen.

For example, some features are intended to be used in a series with no stopping and some individually with stopping areas; jump takeoffs are for jumping and rail takeoffs are for entering onto rails.

Your actions can take you out of balance and cause serious injury or death, no matter how the feature is designed or where you land. Land on your feet!

Transitions are changes in the shape and pitch of the snow or feature, or changes from one type of sliding surface to another. Transitions can be gentle or abrupt, and demand that users be alert and respond to them with accurate movements.

Know where to Land. The sweet spot is between Terrain the "knuckle" and center of the landing zone. Even if you land on or near the sweet spot, you can still be seriously injured or die if your landing posture is not correct.

Inverted manuevers are not allowed.

Be aware that features change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day.

Read and obey all posted signs, instructions and warnings before using Freestyle Terrain.
©2013 by ski sundown