The USSA has developed a systematic athlete advancement plan illustrated in its Athlete Development Pipeline diagram. Once you've started competing at the local level, you'll have an opportunity to advance up through the system through participation in scored events. And, who knows, someday you might make it the Olympics!
The annual FIS World U23/Junior Championships provide a unique opportunity for the best 15-22 year-olds of the skiing world to compete together. The World Junior Championships are important competitions in the development of future World Cup contenders, and World Cup skiers are usually found on the official entry lists.
The Junior Nordic Championships (JI Scandinavian Cup) are an excellent introductory international championship competition, bringing the best young athletes from the Scandinavian nations and the United States together for an effective development experience.
2009 U.S. Ski Team