June 18, 2015 (Park City, UT) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) is rolling out a new expanded membership structure. With over 30,000 members nationwide, the USSA represents a wide range of followers passionate about skiing and snowboarding. The new structure will diversify the existing membership base with a host of new categories designed to make the sports more affordable and accessible.

“Supporting dreams at all levels of participation is key to achieving success at the elite level,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “The new membership structure not only encourages broader USSA membership within our sports but also better encompasses people involved at every level of skiing and snowboarding.”

The structure, which was built on a unique basis for each sport, was designed with input from key sport and industry stakeholders this past year as part of sport specific task forces that provided feedback on how the USSA could better serve its members and grow its sports. In addition to expanding the membership base, the new structure also adjusts categories to fit athlete age classes, allows for multi-sport memberships at no additional cost and offers short term memberships for athletes to experience competing in USSA sanctioned events. The volunteer membership provides a means for clubs to foster participation and includes background screening, ensuring sports stay safe for kids.

USSA membership pricing has also changed, with general and entry-level memberships starting as low as $15. Families with multiple athletes will see savings with a family cap of $400.

“Skiing and snowboarding are family sports, so it’s important to make it affordable,” said Shaw. “The USSA community goes far beyond just competitors and coaches. Anyone who wants to engage with the USSA, whether they’re spectating, following or participating as an athlete, will have the opportunity to become a member and have access to member benefits at a reasonable price.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• The USSA is rolling out a new membership structure starting in the 2015-16 season.
• The new membership structure is designed to make skiing and snowboarding more affordable and accessible.
• In addition to a traditional membership, a short-term membership option is available to athletes.
• General and entry-level membership pricing starts as low as $15.
• Families with multiple athletes will see savings with a family cap of $400.
• All new membership options are now available for 2015-16 season registration.
• The membership descriptions and fee matrix is available at my.ussa.org.

QUOTES

Tiger Shaw, President and CEO, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association
Supporting dreams at all levels of the pipeline is key to achieving success at the elite level. The new membership structure not only allows for broader participation within our sports but also better encompasses people involved at every level of skiing and snowboarding.

Skiing and snowboarding are family sports, so it’s important to make it affordable. The USSA community goes far beyond just competitors and coaches. Anyone who wants to engage with the USSA, whether they’re spectating, following or participating as an athlete, will have the opportunity to become a member and have access to member benefits at a reasonable price.

USSA New Membership Categories

General Member
General membership is available to everyone including club volunteers and all USCSA, high school and club participants in all age classes. Athletes who wish to participate in USSA alpine, freestyle, freeskiing, snowboarding, ski jumping and nordic combined events will need competition memberships.

Short Term Athlete Membership
The short-term athlete membership can be purchased on a per day basis to compete in USSA events. This membership is ideal for athletes looking to try a new sport or athletes who want to compete in a single event. This membership is upgradeable to a full USSA membership if purchased within the same season.

USSA Supporter Membership
The USSA supporter membership is an annual membership for non-competitors who are simply fans of the USSA, its athletes and skiing and snowboarding.  Anyone who purchases a supporter membership will receive a selection of USSA’s Core Benefits package, including a magazine subscription or access to Ski Racing Premium content, Global Rescue Travel Service Hotline access, access to USSA Rewards discount program, a USSA membership card and USSA’s monthly Excellence Newsletter.

Club Volunteer Membership
Introduced during the 2014-15 season, the USSA Club Volunteer Membership is designed for parents and club volunteers who undertake a leadership role in USSA clubs, divisions, regions, competitions and club training sessions. Each USSA Club Volunteer undergoes periodic background screening to help provide a SafeSport environment in clubs. This membership is a good stepping stone to becoming a USSA Coach or Official, and is fully upgradeable during the season.

Additional Membership Categories

• Competitor
• Coach
• Official
• Rookie (freestyle and freesking only)
• Master (alpine and cross country only)

A full list of membership descriptions can be found at my.ussa.org.