As a member of the LOC at this years National and home owner at SMRR thank you for the kind words. " We made it a family vacation". We tried to make it a fun event for all the reasons people had listed. It is a long way and a lot of money for 1 or 3 ski rides.
This is my 2cents and my perspective on Nationals and a possible direction.
We were in WP for Nats my mother had never understood why we play this game. She came to see my son ski in Nats. She flew in about 10pm and said lets go get a drink. We went to the bar at WP Hilton, someone bought our drinks and after about 10 minutes she looked at me and said," I get it now. This is your Shriner's convention. (My Dad is a Shriner) 1 time a year all the people who love to ski competitively get together eat, drink and ski." She got it in a nut shell for me.
My change to Nationals is 2 3 day tournaments.
leave qualifying the same state, regionals.
The first tournament held in early August for Jrs. Men and women 1.
2nd tournament in late Sept early October for all divisions 2 and up.
2 three day weekends. Less time off work. Adult ski party in the fall. It would open the event up to more sites, we have so few willing to take on a 5 or 6 day event.
I sure missed seeing Ham Wallace at this Nationals.... Chest Bump.
Jeff Lindsey