Colorado High School Ski Racing

Skier: Quintin Cook. Photo: CHSAA

Are you a current or former junior ski racer who loves the sport but needs an opportunity to participate on your terms? Are you involved in other sports, but you don’t want to give up ski racing?  Maybe you want to give ski racing a try but never had an opportunity to start when you were younger? Are you looking for a more affordable alternative to the sport? Would less time away from school and less travel for ski racing appeal to you? Do you prefer competing with a team?  Are you interested in competing in both Nordic and alpine skiing?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, high school ski racing could be your solution.

Like other high school sports, high school skiing is inclusive and competitive and combines individual racing with accumulated points that helps a team succeed. It is a winter of fun that can potentially lead to a state championship that celebrates an entire season of competitions.

Colorado is not alone; there are high school ski leagues across the U.S.

I have been a coach with the Battle Mountain HS Ski Team in Eagle County, Colorado, for many years. I will describe our school’s program and Colorado’s state  system. I have enjoyed it immensely.

Our team undergoes a month of physical conditioning in the fall. Then, as soon as our ski area opens, we start skiing. Once the competition season begins, we prepare for two or three days during the week and race on Fridays.

Every practice and regular-season race is a great experience. 

Gretchen Pavelich is a Battle Mountain alumna, experienced FIS competitor, and high school racer. She comments, “The most significant difference between FIS and high school racing is the atmosphere in the start. In FIS, everyone is locked into their worlds and focused on getting themselves into the zone. In high school, the team gets together to energize each other. No one is left out, and once you click into your skis, you know that you are racing for a team and not just yourself.”

A goal for many of our team members is to qualify for the state championships at the season’s end. That said, we welcome all levels of ability and experience. If you like ski racing, our team wants to find a place for you. 

For the athletes who qualify for the state championships, the experience is unique.

The atmosphere at the tournament is electrifying!

Imagine taking the crowd from your Friday night football game and placing them in a ski race finish area. Now picture fans cheering loudly for every competitor as they finish. Many competitors describe the feeling as one of the most exhilarating experiences of their young lives. 

Each team uses the three fastest athletes’ results at the Colorado championships to score points toward the title. Every skier who has qualified for the championship has a shot at contributing to their team’s success.

In Colorado, the combination of points scored in alpine and Nordic skiing determines your program’s standing in the championship. Some motivated athletes referred to as skimeisters, compete in all events.

Skimeister Christian Apps, comments:

“One of my favorite components of ski team racing is that you ski for more than yourself. You ski for your teammates. Everyone has to put a solid run down for the team to do well, which makes it interesting. It is not about who is the best skier but rather who has the best group of skiers. The top skiers push their teammates to become better skiers, knowing they need them to succeed. Everyone steps up when you have this push to have a good team.”

Anything can happen on race day. Predictions often don’t come true. Inspired racers rise to new levels, and there are often delightful surprises. The unpredictable nature of the races makes for an exciting competition.

Apps continues, “Even skiers on the bubble have that extra push to perform. I have seen some crazy pushes from our third-scoring skiers. Performances you would have never expected out of them, but when they have to leave it all out on the course and grab extra points for the team, they get it done.”

However, the true beauty of high school racing happens the entire season—a team made up of women and men of vastly varying abilities working together to be their best individually and as a team.

A typical high school team is a melting pot of skiers. The program offers every athlete an opportunity to improve. From first-year skiers to veterans of the sport, everyone is welcome and is a valued member. Everyone’s participation is appreciated.

To conclude, high school racing is a fantastic ski racing option.  It is a fun and exciting team environment.

As we look to strengthen ski racing, this is a terrific opportunity in our communities. High school skiing provides a team environment filled with memorable experiences.

SkiRacing.com wants to hear from you.

Tell us about your experience, your team, and your state.

Listed here are the high schools with Colorado High School Ski League programs who would love to hear from you.

• Aspen High School (Aspen)
• Battle Mountain High School (Edwards)
• Clear Creek High School (Evergreen)
• Colorado Rocky Mountain School (Carbondale)
• Durango High School (Durango) [Alpine only]
• Eagle Valley High School (Gypsum)
• Evergreen High School (Evergreen)
• Lake County High School (Leadville)
• Middle Park High School (Granby)
• Nederland High School (Nederland)
• Platte Canyon High School (Bailey) [Alpine only]
• Poudre School District (Fort Collins) [Nordic only]
• Steamboat Springs High School (Steamboat Springs)
• Summit High School (Breckenridge)
• Vail Mountain School (Vail)