

August 2023
The 2024 Cross Country Alaska ski season is around the corner!
Watch the CCAK Website and Facebook page for upcoming information but in the meantime please take a moment to register for your US Ski & Snowboard license. All competitors in Besh Cup races are required to have a valid USS&S license.
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU TURN 18 BEFORE JUNE 30, 2024
Skiers whose birth years are 2006 and earlier must complete SafeSport, Avalanche Awareness, and register for a Background Check prior to competing in any US Ski & Snowboard events. US Ski & Snowboard does not allow for any exceptions for skiers without valid licenses at time of competition. Meeting these requirements may take two to four weeks, so do not put this off until the week of registering for Besh Cup races.
Are you also a ski jumper? Athletes who have a ski jumping license should contact US Ski & Snowboard directly at 435-647-2666 to link their Jumping and Nordic licenses so points are accumulated correctly.
Besh Cup Racing Schedule (click to open PDF)
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December 16/17 - Kincaid Park, hosted by Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
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Saturday Sprint Classic / Sunday Mass Freestyle
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These races will be part of the USSS SuperTour and information about this will be published soon.
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NSAA is hosting the SuperTour and the CCAK Besh Cup races will be part of the series.
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January 20/21 - Lookout Mountain, hosted by Kachemak Nordic Ski Club
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Saturday Sprint Freestyle/ Sunday Interval Classic
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February 3/4 - Birch Hill Recreational Area, hosted by Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks
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Saturday Interval Freestyle / Sunday Mass Classic
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Registration will open November 1, 2023
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Registration for each race weekend closes at midnight on the Wednesday prior to each weekend
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Racers in the U16 category and older who register for all six races by November 30, get one free race.
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If you are 18 or turn 18 during the season, you need to complete SafeSport & complete a background check with US Ski & Snowboard to be eligible to compete in Besh Cup races.
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Only racers with valid licenses are eligible to compete in Besh Cup races. It is the responsibility of the racers to have valid licenses on race day.
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Race day registration is not available. US Ski & Snowboard requires adult racers to complete SafeSport training and pass a background check. Therefore, adult skiers need to allow between one and two weeks prior to race weekend to meet the US Ski & Snowboard license requirements. Cross Country Alaska wants you to be able to participate; so please plan accordingly to meet the US Ski & Snowboard license requirement.
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Racers who register for all six races and all youth racers in the U08/U10/U12 categories (regardless of number of races entered) will receive a T-shirt.
Team Alaska Qualification Opportunities
2024 Arctic Winter Games
Hosted by Mat-Su - website
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Team sizes are being finzalized. Please check back for details.
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Please review the US Ski & Snowboard license requirements for Team Alaska AWG.
Lake Placid, New York
March 9 - 16, 2024
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Details will be posted here and communicated throughout the season.
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All competitors at USS&S Junior Nationals Championships must have a valid USS&S license to compete.
FIS License
Please talk to your coach if you are wondering about the need for an FIS license. In FIS-scored races, those with FIS licenses have priority seeding over those without an FIS license. FIS licenses are generally only necessary for U18 and older skiers.
The following Besh Cup races will be FIS-scored races:
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Besh Cup 1 & 2 - Anchorage
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Besh Cup 5 & 6 - Fairbanks
International teams (U18, World Juniors, U23)
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Current criteria and dates will be posted here.
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Naming will be managed by US Ski & Snowboard.
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Positions on these teams are based on performance at the US Nationals held in January 2024.
Coaching Opportunities
Arctic Winter Games
Team Alaska is filling four coaching positions for the 2024 Arctic Winter Games
Dates: March 10-16, 2024
Qualifications:
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Must possess a current US Ski & Snowboard license (or complete the licensing process within 14 days of being named to coaching staff)*
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Must have experience coaching and directing youth athletes.
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Must have excellent communication skills (expect much pre-event communication with Team Alaska, CCAK, parents and athletes).
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Helpful to have experience coaching in traveling situations, logistics, and managing co-ed groups.
Deadline to apply: October 1, 2023 for Head Coach / November 1, 2023 for Staff Coaches.
The CCAK coaching application will be available for download on September 15.
*obtaining a USSS license includes completing SafeSport training and completing a background check
US Ski & Snowboard Junior Nationals
Team Alaska is filling two Head Coach/Team Leader position for the 2024 US Ski & Snowboard Junior Nationals Championships to be held in Lake Placid, NY
Dates: Depart March 7 - Return March 17
Qualifications:
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Must possess a current US Ski & Snowboard license
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Must have experience coaching and directing youth athletes
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Must have experience coaching in traveling situations, logistics, and managing co-ed groups
Deadline to apply: October 1, 2023
Submit application and cover letter to Lauri Bassett - info@crosscountryalaska.org
Team Alaska is filling 10 staff coach positions for the 2023 US Ski & Snowboard Junior Nationals Championships to be held in Lake Placid, NY
Dates: Depart March 7 - Return March 17
Qualifications:
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Must possess a current US Ski & Snowboard license (or complete the licensing process within 14 days of being named to coaching staff)*
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Must have experience coaching and directing youth athletes.
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Helpful to have experience coaching in traveling situations, logistics, and managing co-ed groups.
Deadline to apply: November 1, 2023
Submit application and cover letter to Lauri Bassett - info@crosscountryalaska.org
The CCAK coaching application will be available for download on September 15.
*obtaining a USSS license includes completing SafeSport training and completing a background check.