The Ultimate Beginner-Friendly Guide to Signing Up for a VC Event

Trying something new can feel exciting… and a little overwhelming.

But signing up for a VC event? We promise: it's simple, welcoming, and designed for families just like yours.

Here's your no-stress guide to getting started.

Why Families Choose Vertical Challenge

Every winter, thousands of families across New England discover that ski racing doesn't have to be intimidating. It can be joyful, accessible, and perfectly imperfect. Our events welcome skiers of every level: from kids who just learned to link turns to parents who haven't raced since high school (if ever).

The best part? There's no wrong way to participate. Some families come for one event and call it a perfect day. Others catch the racing bug and follow us to multiple mountains all season long. Both approaches are exactly right.

1. Pick Your Mountain

Choose based on what feels right for your family:

Distance from home - Sometimes the closest mountain wins, especially for families with young kids or packed schedules.

Your family's weekend plans - Check which dates work best with soccer games, birthday parties, and all the other weekend activities that fill family calendars.

A mountain you're curious about - Maybe you've always wanted to explore a particular resort but never had a reason to make the trip.

A name your child thinks "sounds cool" - Never underestimate the power of a mountain name that sparks a young skier's imagination. If they're excited about "Gunstock" or "Pats Peak," that enthusiasm matters more than logistics.

The truth is, you can't choose wrong. Every VC stop offers the same welcoming atmosphere, beginner-friendly courses, and celebration of effort over speed. Some families end up loving a mountain they never expected to visit.

2. Register Online

This is where we keep things refreshingly simple.

Our registration takes most parents less than five minutes: seriously. No complicated forms, no technical skiing jargon, and no pressure to commit to anything beyond the single event you're signing up for.

You'll enter basic family information: names, ages, and contact details. That's it. No need to list skiing experience, previous race results, or equipment details. We design our courses for the skier you are today, not the skier you think you should be.

Most parents tell us registration is faster than ordering takeout: and way more fun.

3. Arrive 45–60 Minutes Before Start Time

This timing gives your family space to settle in without rushing.

Here's what those extra minutes allow you to do:

Pick up your bibs - Each participant gets a numbered bib to wear during their run. Kids love seeing their official race number, and the pickup process is quick and friendly.

Explore the village atmosphere - Every VC event creates a mini festival at the base of the mountain. Take time to walk around, see what's happening, and let the energy build.

Warm up however feels right - Some families take a few practice runs on easier terrain. Others prefer to stretch, chat with other participants, or simply watch the course for a few minutes.

Take that important bathroom break - Seriously underrated but absolutely essential. Nobody wants to worry about this mid-race.

Get familiar with the course - Most kids (and parents) feel more confident after watching a few other skiers navigate the gates.

This buffer time transforms what could feel rushed into something relaxed and enjoyable.

4. Bring the Gear You Already Have

Here's what we love telling nervous parents: if your child skis comfortably on regular slopes, they're ready for a VC event.

No racing suits required. No special skis needed. No expensive purchases necessary.

Your regular skiing gear works perfectly:

• Skis, boots, and poles your child already uses
• A well-fitting helmet (this one's non-negotiable for safety)
• Goggles if they typically wear them
• Weather-appropriate layers

Some parents worry their child's equipment isn't "fast enough" or "racing-worthy." The course doesn't care about gear brands or how new anything is. It cares about kids trying their best and having fun.

We've seen amazing runs from kids on rental skis and magical moments from families in mismatched gear. The joy happens regardless of equipment.

5. Expect Fun, Not Pressure

This might be the most important section of this entire guide.

VC events celebrate participation, not perfection. Our courses are designed to be navigable by recreational skiers: no extreme steeps, no intimidating features, just a fun weave through friendly gates.

The cheering is genuine and loud. Other families celebrate your child's run like they're cheering for their own kids. Volunteers high-five every finisher. The atmosphere buzzes with encouragement, not competition.

Kids don't need to be fast to succeed at a VC event. They just need to try. We've watched first-time racers beam with pride after careful, controlled runs that took twice as long as anyone else's time. Their joy was just as real as the fastest skier's celebration.

Parents often tell us they were more nervous than their kids: and that within minutes of arriving, that nervousness melted into excitement.

6. Stick Around for the Village Fun

The racing is just one part of the VC experience.

Every event features village activities that extend the fun beyond the course:

Prize wheels where every spin wins something special Music and announcements that keep energy high throughout the day Games and activities for siblings who might not be racing Sponsor booths with samples, giveaways, and information Photo opportunities with VC banners and props

Some families discover that their kids love the village atmosphere as much as the racing itself. It's not uncommon for families to spend two or three hours at an event, soaking up the community energy and making new connections.

7. Come Back Whenever You Want

Here's what we love about VC families: there's no pressure to commit beyond the event you're attending.

Some families try one event each winter and call it their perfect racing tradition. Others discover they want to experience different mountains and sign up for multiple stops. Some attempt the entire tour, collecting experiences from Vermont to New Hampshire to Massachusetts.

All approaches are welcome and celebrated.

The beauty lies in having options. Your family can participate as much or as little as feels right for your schedule, budget, and interests. There's no membership requirements, no season-long commitments, and no expectation beyond showing up ready to try.

Many families start with one event "just to see" and end up returning year after year: not because they have to, but because they genuinely look forward to it.

What Happens Next

Once you've signed up, you'll receive confirmation details and any event-specific information via email. Race day morning, arrive at your chosen time, pick up your bibs, and let the experience unfold.

Most families leave their first VC event already talking about which mountain they want to try next. Kids clutch their medals and replay their runs all the way home. Parents find themselves unexpectedly proud: not just of their children's skiing, but of the family decision to try something new together.

The magic of Vertical Challenge events isn't in the racing itself, though that's certainly fun. It's in the community that forms around families willing to step outside their comfort zones together. It's in the cheering that erupts for every single finisher. It's in the conversations between parents who never expected to find themselves at a ski race.

Your Family's Racing Story Starts Here

Every VC participant started exactly where your family is right now: curious, maybe a little nervous, and wondering if ski racing could really be as welcoming as it sounds.

We promise it is.

The course will be there when you're ready. The community will cheer when you arrive. And your family's racing story will begin the moment you decide to try.

Want event dates and registration reminders? Join our email list so you never miss your perfect mountain.