XC Intermountain Youth Championships

IYC 2026, hosted by the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is open to all youth competitors U8 to U16.

DATE
February 28 – March 1, 2026

LOCATION
Lake Creek Ski Center, Ketchum (Map)
13169 HWY 75, Ketchum ID, 83340

Entry Fees

U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and Novice classes
$80 for all race participants
Includes trail passes, all three (3) events

Late Entry Fee (after Monday, February 23, 9:00 p.m. Mountain Time) – $10 per person

All Participants have a current US Ski & Snowboard License General or competitor licenses are acceptable, this is not a  USSS scored event, memberships are for liability purposes. 

Short term memberships can be purchased online HERE

REGISTRATION CLOSES on Thursday, February 26 at 12:00 p.m. noon Mountain Time.

Event Trail Fees

Training at Lake Creek is included in the competitor entry fee. Note that skiing elsewhere in the Wood River Valley requires purchase of a North Valley Trails Pass, available at Galena Lodge or BCRD.org.

Coaches Registration

At least one (1) team leader from each team needs to complete online coach registration to receive event information emails and updates.

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM LEADER/COACHES REGISTRATION

All coaches must have a current US Ski & Snowboard Coach License.

Coaches must wear an official USSS Coach’s Bib in order to access field of play areas, including the stadium and all courses.

If you have not received your official USSS Coach’s Bib, but have an active Coach’s License, a temporary official coach’s bib will be available through race organizers on Friday, February 27.

All coaches must complete online registration by Wednesday, February 27.

Courses

Distance Courses (skate and classic)
U8 -1km; U10 -1km; U12 -2km; U14 -3km; U16 – 5km

Skate SkierX
TBD

Course Maps

Course maps can be found below by clicking the links in the Course Maps section

Official Wax Call

In accordance with the Intermountain Waxing Policies, the U16, U14, and U12 classes will adhere to the uniform glide wax policy. The official wax call is HS8 Spray while for younger skiers (U10 and below) NF Red or equivalent.

Lake Creek Parking & Shuttle Details

The Lake Creek Venue Parking Lot does not have the capacity to meet the needs of all athletes, volunteers, and spectators. Only team vehicles in possession of an issued parking pass and active volunteers will be afforded parking access to the Lake Creek Parking Lot on race days.

All parents and spectators will be required to utilize the shuttle system from Hulen Meadows overflow lot north of Ketchum located  ½ mile south of Lake Creek on the left hand side of Highway 75. 

  • To restrict overflow please carpool as much as possible and park as efficiently and tightly
  • Vans will run continuously starting on race days from 7 a.m. until event completion
  • Van ride will take approximately 5 minutes from parking to Lake Creek
  • Pick up approximately every 15 minutes

If you have a wax trailer, please contact Kelley Yeates to determine a parking arrangement, [email protected].

Food

Hosts are working to have food trucks onsite for Saturday’s event. In lieu of food trucks there are no food services available at the venue.

Volunteer Opportunities

All volunteers please register using the button below or click here.
Volunteer questions? Please contact [email protected]

Thank you to Atkinsons’ Market for providing the volunteer snacks!

Volunteer Sign Up Here

Race Contacts

Race Director / Chief of Competition
Kelley Yeates
[email protected]
208.720.8998

Co-Race Director
Becky Flynn
[email protected]

Competition Timing Services
Alex Phipps – Zone4

Race Administrator
Susie Quesnel
[email protected]

Volunteer Coordinator
Daisy Fair
[email protected]

Start List & Results

START LISTS
Will be posted at THIS LINK

RESULTS
Will be posted at THIS LINK

Events Schedule

Subject to change as registration and start times are finalized

Monday, 2/23 at 8:59 p.m. MST
Early Entry deadline 

$10 late fee apply after this deadline.

Thursday, 2/26 at 12 p.m. Noon MST
Late entry registration closes.
No entries after this deadline.

Friday, 2/27   
10:00 a.m. – Race Courses open for inspection. Lake Creek Cross Country Center
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Race office open. SVSEF Team Center at Lake Creek
Noon deadline for scratches
5:00 p.m. – Virtual Team Leaders meeting – Zoom link will be sent directly to all registered Team Leaders

Saturday 2/28  Skate Events
7:00 a.m. – Race courses open
9:45 a.m. – Courses close
10:00 a.m. – Skate Races Start

  • 10:00 a.m. (5.2km) – U16 F
  • 10:16 a.m. (5.2km) – U16 M
  • 10:31 a.m. (2.6km) – U14 F
  • 10:50 a.m. (2.6km) – U14 M
  • 11:13 a.m. (2km) – U12 F
  • 11:29 a.m. (2km) – U12 M
  • 11:45 a.m. (1km) – U10 F
  • 11:53 a.m. (1km) – U10 M
  • 12:01 p.m. (1km) – U8 F
  • 12:07 p.m. (1km) – U8 M

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch Break (course closed)

1:30 p.m. – SkierX Races Start

  • 1:30 p.m. – U8/U10
  • 2:00 p.m. – U12
  • 2:30 p.m.  – U14/U16

End of day approximately 3:00 p.m.

Sunday 3/1 Classic Distance Mass Starts
7:00 a.m. – Race course open
9:45 a.m. – Courses close
10:00 a.m. – Classic Races Start

  • 10:00 a.m. (5.2km) – U16 M
  • 10:15 a.m. (5.2km) – U16 F
  • 10:35 a.m. (2.6km) – U14 M
  • 10:45 a.m. (2.6km) – U14 F
  • 11:00 a.m. (2km) – U12 M
  • 11:10 a.m. (2km)- U12 F
  • 11:25 a.m. (1km) – U10 M
  • 11:35 a.m. (1km) – U10 F
  • 11:45 a.m. (1km) – U8 M & F

12:10 p.m. – Awards begin in Stadium

Course Maps & Policies

SKATE / SKIERX

SkierX Course Map

STADIUM MAP (link to come)

OFFICIAL WAXING POLICY

In accordance with USSS National Waxing Policies, any use of Flouro-carbonated waxes is NOT ALLOWED.

In accordance with the Intermountain Waxing Policies, the U16, U14, and U12 classes will adhere to the uniform glide wax policy.

Official wax call is HS8 Spray. Younger skiers (U10 and below) NF Red or equivalent.

Spectator Guidelines

Spectators, we encourage you to come out to support skiers in the 2026 Sun Valley IYC races.  We love spectators and we are grateful for your support and encouragement of the athletes. This section sets out the guidelines for spectators and some pro tips for best strategies to watch the races. The event web site includes a detailed schedule of events, course maps, and start lists for each day to help you plan your spectating strategy.

Guidelines

  • Snow pack is low please try not to leave holes in the snow and avoid tracking mud onto the snow if walking to spectate
  • All parking is off site and involves a shuttle. The parking and shuttle plans are explained on the event website
    • Pro Tip: Allow extra time to account for parking and shuttle. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the Lake Creek parking lot/bus drop-off to the start and finish area
  • Spectators are not allowed to spectate on skis and must walk to all viewing areas
    • Pro Tip: Don’t bring skis to spectate–they only get in the way
  • Spectators are permitted to walk on the side of the trails to spectate but must keep well out of the way of skiers and avoid impacting the groomed part of the trail
    • Pro tip: Pay attention!!
  • There will be course control volunteers on course. They are there to help ensure the safety of both spectators and skiers. Please thank them and follow all their instructions for spectating
  • There are a number of spectator control gates with course control monitors–please follow their instructions for crossing
  • There will be fencing at the bottom of hills or high traffic areas and spectators are required to stay behind the fences
  • In the stadium there are sections reserved for competitors, coaches, and race officials only. Please respect these areas
  • No pets please

Race Partners:

Race Sponsors:

Engel & Volkers Jones Grover Team