MBSEF Alpine Masters Program

by Greg Timm, Alpine Masters Coach

The Mt. Bachelor Alpine Masters Program was founded in 1991 by MBSEF for (and with the help of) local Masters racers and continues to be a tremendous opportunity for adult alpine racers as well as recreational skiers to run gates and improve their racing skills and skiing technique. The Masters program operated as a Mt. Bachelor Ski School program in recent years but returned to MBSEF last season.

Participants in the program have been National and Regional USSA Masters Champions (such as retired COCC art instructor Tom Temple and orthopedic physician Dr. Tim Hill) as well as City League racers and NASTAR champions working to improve or maintain their skills and technique. The group has always included skiers wanting to improve their skiing skills by running gates and also to those just wanting to enjoy the fun and camaraderie of the mountain with other adult skiers.

Equally enjoyable to race training and ski improvement is the diverse and varied background of the participants who have come from different walks of life and parts of the country to be a part of the program. Local loyal participant Bob Bennett is diligent in attending every possible day offered. Hood River orthodontist Jim Bickler makes his home here in Bend and is dedicated to his race training, forerunning and continued improvement as a Masters competitor. Retired Union Carbide lead attorney Bob Butler travels from his home in Connecticut to train for a week or two at a time. Amusement park and radio station owner Rich Robertson is an accomplished Masters racer who moved here with his wife Terry from Lake Tahoe. MBSEF volunteer and race official Al Pierce spends a good portion of his winter out here from his home in New Jersey. A logger, a minister, a fly fishing guru, a district attorney, a retired chemist, a chiropractor, a builder, an investor, a podiatrist, a professional bike racer, an airline captain and fighter pilot, a surgeon and numerous mothers have all been active participants who enjoy the challenge and reward of running gates and race training together. Some travel to races, some only race here locally and some just enjoy ‘skiing gates’. Some were ski racers in their younger years but many have discovered the sport in their later years.

Over two dozen adults are currently participating in the program this year, despite the rough start to the season due to snowfall and resulting lack of races. Over 30 adults have been involved in recent years and participants have ranged in age from 25 years old to 85 years of age. Not all participants are able to train on the same day. Instead, participation is spread throughout the week, allowing the attention and number of runs high and the course conditions best for learning and improving.

Training is devoted primarily to slalom and giant slalom with occasional super g training when interest, conditions and hill space allow. Video taping and analysis and occasional timing are additional aspects to the skiing and race training.

Mt. Bachelor’s invaluable support and cooperation provides the program with varied runs to use during the season. Primary runs used are Ed’s Garden and Cliffhanger and occasionally Lower Liftline Blue, Lower Leeway and West Boundary runs are used. Participants help with set up and course preparation before training begins and then pitch in to help with course tear down when training has ended.

The program began in early December this year, providing 2 weeks of early season skiing and training camp. The program continues through mid-April, providing training Tuesday through Friday and Sunday mornings, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. A skier can choose a 10 day, a 20 day and a Full Time (unlimited) program option and can use their days whenever it best suits their schedule throughout the week and the season.