Since 1985 the Berkshire County has hosted the Bay State Winter Games, and 2013 is no different.

Approximately 1,000 athletes compete in figure skating, masters ice hockey and alpine skiing during the three-day competition. Participants in the Winter Games represent 200 Massachusetts communities, and range in age from age 8 to 70. The Bay State Winter Games also produces the Bay State Skate Figure Skating Show held on Saturday of the Winter Games each year.

Teams and individuals may still register for the Feb. 15 to 17 competition in masters ice hockey and alpine skiing, respectively. Figure skating competitions are currently closed.

The schedule is:

Alpine Skiing

Saturday Feb. 16 at Bousquet Ski Area, Pittsfield. The entry fee is $50

Athletes must meet at least one of the following criteria:

A full-time resident of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.

A full-time student at an academic institution in Massachusetts.

A registered member of a skiing club in Massachusetts.

Athletes entering under this eligibility rule may not also be part of a non-Massachusetts club.

Divisions

The competition includes races in six different divisions. Within each division, males and females will compete separately. Divisions are as follows:

MiddleSchool (7th and 8th)

High School 9th and 10th

High School 11th and 12th

Open A

Advertisement
- Ages 19 - 35 (Athletes who are still in high school must compete in the High School 11th and 12th division.)

Open B - Ages 36 - 50

Masters - Age 51 and older

All ages are as of Feb. 16, 2013.

Equipment

Helmets and goggles are required for all divisions.

Schedule

Registration: 7:30am

First Run Start: 9:30am

Masters Ice Hockey

Feb. 15 to 17

Vietnam Veterans Skating Memorial Rink, North Adams

Entry Fee - $650 per team

Competition Format

Three divisions: 30+, 40+, 50+

All teams play a minimum of three games during the weekend

All games in your pool play count towards overall record

Pool Winners play for the Gold Medal

Divisions

30+ Divisions: All players must be Age 30 or older

40+ Division: All players must be Age 40 or older

50+ Division: All players must be Age 50 or older

All ages are as of Feb. 15, 2013. Age rules apply to goalies as well. Players can play down one division, but cannot play up a division.

Rules

Tournament is open to all players, regardless of whether or not a resident of Massachusetts.

Maximum of 16 players per team (including goalie).

All games in your pool will count towards your overall record.

No checking. No slap shots are allowed.

ISI and USFS Figure Skating

Date

Feb 15 to 17

Chapman Skating Rink

Williams College

USFSA

Feb. 15 - first skate 9:30 a.m.

Feb. 16 - first skate 8 a.m.

Feb. 17 - first skate 7:30 a.m.

ISI

Feb. 15 - first skate 4 p.m.

Feb 16 - first skate 2 p.m.

Feb 17 - first skate 2 p.m.