PA Freestyle competes in two organizations: USSA and USASA. All PAFree Athletes must be a USSA general member which is required due to insurance, and can not take part in the program without this membership. Athletes Discipline determines which competitors membership they will need.
Mogul Athlete: USSA Comp only
Slopestyle Athlete: USSA General, USASA Competitor
Snowboard Athlete: USSA General, USASA Competitor
Boardercross/Skiercross Athlete: USSA General, USASA Competitor. Depending on level of competitor an FIS license may also be required.
**Note- This is the general rule for organization membership. The coaching staff will advise if/when additional competitor memberships are required.
Slopestyle/Snowboard/BX-SX: All Compete in USASA events.
USASA is a grassroots organization whose mission is "To facilitate fun and fair events for all ages across the country, to attract snowboarders and freeskiers, promote their development, provide member education, and influence the future of our sports." There are 6 snowboard disciplines, Slopestyle, Railjam, Halfpipe, BX, Slalom, and Giant Slalom, and 4 kid disciplines, Slopestyle, rail jam, halfpipe, and SX.
Regional events results are used to create national rankings. Each discipline \ competes in the following age brackets
Ruggie (7 under) Grommet (8-9) Menehune (10-11)
Breakers (12-13) Youth (14-15) Juniors (16-17)
Jams (18-22), Senior (23-29) Master (30-39)
Legend (40-49) Kahuna (50-59) Methuselah (60 & over)
Open Class Adaptive Snowboard Adaptive Freeski
ID Snowboard
The following age categories are recognized by the USASA for both men and women, snowboarders and skiers in Rail Jam & *Banked Slalom 9 & Under 10 to 13 14 & Over Open Class
Mogul- Eastern Freestyle USSA Levels:
EQS "B" Level: The EQS, our entry-level series, offers fun, age-class competition. The EQS, "B" level is designed for entry level skiers, basically, 7 to 14 year olds, though it is open to all age groups. It is where we educate athletes, coaches and officials. It is divided into Western, Central and Eastern Regions so that the young athletes do not have to travel far from their home mountain to compete. The EQS, "B" level events qualify athletes for State Finals and EQS Junior and Young Gun Championships, so that the young athletes can experience championship-level events. The EQS level requires a USSA youth license, unless the competitor is older than 12. The events in this series are scored to the Eastern Points List.
ECS "A" Level: The ECS, "A" level is designed for the older, more experienced athlete. The "A" level supports 13 to 18 year olds and all veteran skiers, 18+ year olds. The ECS qualifies skiers for national level events: Juniors Olympics, Junior Worlds, US Freestyle Championships and the US Selection Events. Our division has produced many US Freestyle Ski Team, US Open and X-Game podium winners and Olympic athletes. The ECS level requires a full USSA license. The events in this series are scored to the national points list, the FSP. This points list is available at www.ussa.org. The athlete and coach should make the decision on which series to ski in. Athletes under 13 must have their coach appeal to the EFCC, Appeals Sub-Committee Chair for inclusion in the ECS mogul and dual mogul events.
USSA / Easterfreestyle Age Groups: Age classifications are determined by the competitor’s age as of December 31 of the competition season. Age groups are as follows:
NOTE: Try outs required for those athletes under the age of 10, as of the season. These athletes may register early to receive the early bird discount.
