Resorts and clubs provide the terrain, staff and equipment needed to operate their local NASTAR courses. NASTAR provides the Timing Solution and program resources. Resort supply-point allowances can be used for available course materials and selected equipment; they do not cover a complete race installation. See NASTAR for Resorts or NASTAR for Ski Clubs for package details.
Resorts are ultimately responsible for the location and set up of their NASTAR race venue, but typically it is visible from a high traffic lift or lodge. Resorts have the option to set single or dual courses and courses can be either Giant Slalom (GS) or Slalom (SL).
GS race courses should be about 350 meters in length. Each course is essentially a modified GS course with gates that are set with 18-22 meters of space between gates vertically and 4-8 meters of offset. Courses will have 17 - 20 gates depending on the terrain. NASTAR encourages resorts across the country to standardize their course(s) to have a par time of 23 seconds and to set courses so that no course is within 5% of the cap time.
The "cap time" is defined as the time it takes a pacesetter to tuck from the start to the finish of their course without going around gates and is the fastest possible time the venue will allow. It's important to remember that due to a number of variables at each resort (terrain, pitch, overall conditions, etc.), the look and feel of each race venue will vary according to the resort. However, these standards should enable participants to compare handicaps regardless of when and where they race.
Public NASTAR Slalom courses should be set using soft rubber SPM Hero gates or stubby gates to encourage participation. For public slalom, the current program manual recommends 12 meters between turning gates vertically and two to four meters of offset. Setting combination gates is not recommended for public NASTAR to minimize confusion. Club races or events with skilled participants can be set using standard slalom gates with hairpin and flush combination gates. NASTAR Slalom courses are generally set from the same start as the GS course and there are approximately 30 turning gates.
NASTAR venues that are setup to provide dual racing can use their venue to provide one GS course and one SL course to offer participants two different disciplines.
Review the proposed venue with NASTAR before opening. The program agreement and current operating guidance govern course requirements. Your local pacesetters establish and check Par Time as conditions change.