FWQ FAQ: Low-Income edition!

[hank.ski]

Howdy.

I'm planning/hoping to make a little comp circuit out of the Freeride World Qualifier (North American region) events this year (If they actually hold them...who knows these days). In doing some past research, I've come to the conclusion that this shit is expensive! I have some questions for folks who have competed before:

1. Does anyone have a general estimate on how much you generally pay per competition? Like just an estimated cost from your experience for the whole trip.

2. I can't seem to find any history on the lift ticket deals that have existed in the past, so I'm wondering if anyone has prior experience and can give me a ballpark estimate of the discount lift ticket prices.

3. Does anyone know if there are scholarships, income-based discounts, or any kind of affordability stuff that FWQ/IFSA/other event partners offer up for adults?

I also hope that if other folks have questions about FWQ comps, they share them here!

 

[eheath]

I hate to be a downer, but I doubt any FWT and FWQ events will happen, I've already heard from many different people that there is a very good chance there are no FIS/World cup events this year, I would imagine if those events dont happen, that FWT won't either. But, who knows, maybe something will change.

 

[r00kie]

I hate to be a downer, but I doubt any FWT and FWQ events will happen, I've already heard from many different people that there is a very good chance there are no FIS/World cup events this year, I would imagine if those events dont happen, that FWT won't either. But, who knows, maybe something will change.

Surprised to hear that. If any ski event could happen in the age of social distancing it would seem FWT would be the one.

 

[ASSholebomber22]

Surprised to hear that. If any ski event could happen in the age of social distancing it would seem FWT would be the one.

It's less the activity and more the struggles that would come with international travels I would assume

 

[r00kie]

It's less the activity and more the struggles that would come with international travels I would assume

Oh yeah, forgot about the travel thing. Whoops.

 

[eheath]

It's less the activity and more the struggles that would come with international travels I would assume

Nailed it, maybe they'll have US and EU only events or something to fill the void and maybe they can have some NA FWQ events because its just people in NA, who knows.

 

[Ryanvdonk]

Nailed it, maybe they'll have US and EU only events or something to fill the void and maybe they can have some NA FWQ events because its just people in NA, who knows.

NZ is hosting their FWQ events currently which count toward the 20/21 winter points, so it's probably on a country by country basis (maybe even state by state for the US).

 

[Ryanvdonk]

]Howdy.

I'm planning/hoping to make a little comp circuit out of the Freeride World Qualifier (North American region) events this year (If they actually hold them...who knows these days). In doing some past research, I've come to the conclusion that this shit is expensive! I have some questions for folks who have competed before:

1. Does anyone have a general estimate on how much you generally pay per competition? Like just an estimated cost from your experience for the whole trip.

2. I can't seem to find any history on the lift ticket deals that have existed in the past, so I'm wondering if anyone has prior experience and can give me a ballpark estimate of the discount lift ticket prices.

3. Does anyone know if there are scholarships, income-based discounts, or any kind of affordability stuff that FWQ/IFSA/other event partners offer up for adults?

I also hope that if other folks have questions about FWQ comps, they share them here!

1. Events are usually between 150-250 a piece, and do not include lift tickets, so if you have an epic or ikon you can save some money by doing events on your pass. lodging and travel can be helped by going with a group to keep costs down and cooking for yourself as much as possible.

2. If it's not on your pass, tickets tend to be either 50% or there's a deal worked out in the $40-60 range.

3. No breaks for adults, occasionally they will do discounted event lodging, but it's usually more than you can find online or by going in on an airbnb with a group. some people have taken to the van life as well to travel and stay through the season, cutting out winter rents for following the tour.

If you're unsure you want to commit to the whole tour, maybe just target one event in your area or at a ski hill you want to visit anyway and make a trip around it to feel out if you want to. typically you'll have to accumulate points at 2*s to qualify for the 4* events, so if that's your goal pick 3.

 

[hank.ski]

I hate to be a downer, but I doubt any FWT and FWQ events will happen, I've already heard from many different people that there is a very good chance there are no FIS/World cup events this year, I would imagine if those events dont happen, that FWT won't either. But, who knows, maybe something will change.

So FWT is a go, but it's been a month without word on FWQ

 

[eheath]

]So FWT is a go, but it's been a month without word on FWQ

Sounds like some world cups and stuff will happen too, basically everyone will be in the US for two months, then Europe for 2 months, US athletes have already been travelling to austria to ski, etc so theyre figuring it out

 

[GayWolf420]

]So FWT is a go, but it's been a month without word on FWQ

https://www.freeskiers.org/covid-19.html if you haven't checked it out already. it was updated back in September but id expect something more updated to come out in the near future just before resorts open. Sorta playing things by ear lol cuz the event calendar has not been updated.

I coach for a program/work with athletes who do IFSA Junior circuits and as of now, it does sound like there will be competitions for both Juniors and Adults but its really a matter of what resorts will allow it and when I feel like.

But I like your idea though. I feel as if there is a clear route for the kids to compete but kinda gets a little difficult to understand as adults and yeah, you do end up paying more. But, if you are an IFSA member, they do provide some discounts in terms of lift tickets and other things at least for coaches but i think thats just on comp days, not just straight up or anything like that. The IFSA handbook said (?) something along those lines when i was studying it like 2 weeks ago but idk, feel free to skim through ithttps://www.freeskiers.org/about/handbook-guidelines.html

**This post was edited on Oct 28th 2020 at 10:39:18pm

 

[GayWolf420]

also in terms of like lodging and stuff, its not too hard to figure out group discounts/rates and such at hotels.. Im sure a group coordinator would also love the business too haha. Check out the Flyin' Ryan Foundation btw for scholarships but they might just be for Juniors
https://www.freeskiers.org/2-uncategorised/273-scholarship-opportunities.html

**This post was edited on Oct 28th 2020 at 10:46:50pm

**This post was edited on Oct 28th 2020 at 10:50:18pm

 

[hank.ski]

https://www.freeskiers.org/covid-19.html if you haven't checked it out already. it was updated back in September but id expect something more updated to come out in the near future just before resorts open. Sorta playing things by ear lol cuz the event calendar has not been updated.

I coach for a program/work with athletes who do IFSA Junior circuits and as of now, it does sound like there will be competitions for both Juniors and Adults but its really a matter of what resorts will allow it and when I feel like.

But I like your idea though. I feel as if there is a clear route for the kids to compete but kinda gets a little difficult to understand as adults and yeah, you do end up paying more. But, if you are an IFSA member, they do provide some discounts in terms of lift tickets and other things at least for coaches but i think thats just on comp days, not just straight up or anything like that. The IFSA handbook said (?) something along those lines when i was studying it like 2 weeks ago but idk, feel free to skim through ithttps://www.freeskiers.org/about/handbook-guidelines.html

**This post was edited on Oct 28th 2020 at 10:39:18pm

Thank you!!!! This is some really solid input.

 

[Skibumsmith]

They’re talking about doing all the FWT stops in Europe this year to reduce the amount of travel. All athletes will have to take tests. Supposedly they’ll make some sort of decision tomorrow.

 

[5Avalanche]

1. 2* ~$150US and 4* ~$250US. Per comp usually end up spending ~$1000 with gas, lift ticket, accom, entry fee if I’m being stingy.

2. Most are 50% but I have seen only 20% before.

3. Absolutely nothing for adults. Even from sponsors it’s hard to get money unless you’re FWT. Someone mentioned hotel discounts with events but it’s never the cheap hotel it’s usually a fairly nice one so even with discount you can generally stay somewhere cheaper if you split a room with friends.

IFSA can’t release info yet because 1) they need to know which resorts will hold events 2) the border is closed indefinitely and probably several other logistical nightmare reasons

]Howdy.

I'm planning/hoping to make a little comp circuit out of the Freeride World Qualifier (North American region) events this year (If they actually hold them...who knows these days). In doing some past research, I've come to the conclusion that this shit is expensive! I have some questions for folks who have competed before:

1. Does anyone have a general estimate on how much you generally pay per competition? Like just an estimated cost from your experience for the whole trip.

2. I can't seem to find any history on the lift ticket deals that have existed in the past, so I'm wondering if anyone has prior experience and can give me a ballpark estimate of the discount lift ticket prices.

3. Does anyone know if there are scholarships, income-based discounts, or any kind of affordability stuff that FWQ/IFSA/other event partners offer up for adults?

I also hope that if other folks have questions about FWQ comps, they share them here!

 

[hank.ski]

1. 2* ~$150US and 4* ~$250US. Per comp usually end up spending ~$1000 with gas, lift ticket, accom, entry fee if I’m being stingy.

2. Most are 50% but I have seen only 20% before.

3. Absolutely nothing for adults. Even from sponsors it’s hard to get money unless you’re FWT. Someone mentioned hotel discounts with events but it’s never the cheap hotel it’s usually a fairly nice one so even with discount you can generally stay somewhere cheaper if you split a room with friends.

IFSA can’t release info yet because 1) they need to know which resorts will hold events 2) the border is closed indefinitely and probably several other logistical nightmare reasons

Thanks for breaking this down tho, super informative

 

[hemlockjibber8]

Definitely looking at around $800 cdn per comp, all in, sometimes more. Although with many comps turning into one day comps, you save on lift tickets, despite registration costing the same.

FWT is happening with 5 stops in Europe. Canada and Japan are cancelled. International travel...

 

[GayWolf420]

]

Thanks for breaking this down tho, super informative

i think IFSA has been working on getting the FWT all figured out with the recent news of some events being cancelled/everything being moved to europe, but we'll see if that gets amended additionally as well. talked with my boss this morning and we're starting to get things figured out for juniors this season but it sounds like local series circuits will most likely happen just to reduce travel and make things easier on athletes, so if anything happens with the adults, it wont be on a huge scale either maybe.

i do think a local adult series, something with a real laid-back atmosphere would be cool. Im sure other ski areas have them but some places have weekend race series you can sign up for with reasonable entry fees and travel costs are pretty low. If you're in a region with multiple resorts nearby, that would be cool to host an event at different mountains, but it could work at your own mountain as well. Its just a matter of getting some sort of mountain event operations, ski patrol, and other staff at the resort on board because you do have to select a venue and keep it in reasonable shape, preferably away from the public for a day or so.

 

[Skibumsmith]

i do think a local adult series, something with a real laid-back atmosphere would be cool.

Oh you mean like the subaru freeride series?

 

[GayWolf420]

Oh you mean like the subaru freeride series?

yeah was that like an open-style event where anybody could sign up sponsored and unsponsored skiers alike? cuz that was a cool event at snowbird once upon a time

 

[Skibumsmith]

yeah was that like an open-style event where anybody could sign up sponsored and unsponsored skiers alike? cuz that was a cool event at snowbird once upon a time

Yes it was. Even I did it once.

 

[Ryanvdonk]

Oh you mean like the subaru freeride series?

that was the old Freeskiing World Tour run by MSI, they sure knew how to promote events and get sponsors. The SFS was their 4 stars once they combined with FWT. Unfortunately the two groups had a falling out and MSI backed out completely, so IFSA took over running the north american side of the qualifiers having experience from juniors.

 

[SHITBOX]

The best part about FWQ is shitpacking 20 people into a small air bnb, getting shithoused and skiing with your friends, just do that anyways regardless of cancellations and you will have very nice time

 

[hank.ski]

Throw me a Covid vac and we can turn the Airbnb inside out my guy

The best part about FWQ is shitpacking 20 people into a small air bnb, getting shithoused and skiing with your friends, just do that anyways regardless of cancellations and you will have very nice time