Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the team practice?

Practice is completely voluntary. You can ski any day of the week M-Th. We practice at lakes in Decatur, Gibson City, and occasionally Farmer's City, Illinois.

Do you have to try out for the team?

Ski team tryouts are not your typical kind of tryouts. Anyone who wants to join the team is welcome to, however, the A team spots are selective. You do not have to come to tryouts, but it is highly suggested. It is a great opportunity to meet the team and see what we are are all about. Tryouts are always the Monday of Labor Day Weekend.

How much does it cost to join?

Team dues are about $75 for the entire year (subject to change). If you do not have AWSA insurance, there is an up-front fee of $40 dollars for an entire year of coverage (instructions for AWSA membership located below). There are also costs associated with the tournaments you choose to attend (Gas, food, entry fee, etc.).

How do I become a member of AWSA?

Click HERE to go to the AWSA website and fill in your information. After filling in your name and birthdate, click "Enter" and choose "Under 25 Active". Next you will be prompted to provide more information and payment. After paying you will be provided a member id card which will be sent in the mail to your home address. You will need proof of membership to ski in tournaments, so until you receive your card you can go HERE to log in and print a copy of your card.

Do I need to have my own skis?

No, we provide team equipment for all 3 events. However, it is suggested that you bring your own equipment if you have it.

Where does the team ski?

The team practices in Farmer's City and Decatur, IL. We have about 4 tournaments (2 spring and 2 fall) that are located in other midwestern states outside of Illinois. We will have 2 tournaments in Illinois as well. The nationals tournament will be located in California.

What kind of time commitment is joining the team?

The time committment is completely dependent on how involved you want to become. All ski team events are voluntary, but once you realize how fun they are, you will see why most people come to all of the events. We are not strict about attendence and are very understanding of people's external committments.

What kind of social events does the team do?

This is where the team may excel the most. We have 1 barcrawl and 1 barscramble every semester. We also have frequent apartment/bar gatherings throughout the semester. Ski team is a really fun group to hang out with, and the people become really close throughout the season.

What do you do in the off-season?

We do lots of things! We have fundraisers,social events, and even participate in the Homecoming Parade. Over Christmas break, we do a team snowboard/snow ski trip out to Colorado. Last year, we had 35 teammates attend! We also do a trip over Spring Break to Santa Rosa Beach to a waterski training facility where you ski, relax, and go to the beach everyday.

How many people are on the team?

We have about 20-25 core members that come to almost all of the events. However, because the team events are voluntary, we have roughly 15-20 more people that come to events every now and then. In total, we have approximately 35-45 people on the team.

Do you need to have any prior experience to join the team?

No, you do not need to have any prior experience. However, it is preferred that you do. Although ski team is about way more than skiing, it is still important that we recruit skiers that know the basics and are eager to improve.