CMC Eagles: Photo Trey Mullen
After over 40 years as a cornerstone of the Steamboat Springs campus, Colorado Mountain College (CMC) has announced the likely end of its Alpine ski racing program following the 2025-26 season. Rising operational costs and financial challenges have prompted the college to reevaluate the program’s sustainability, casting uncertainty over a team that has profoundly shaped student-athletes’s lives for decades.
A Legacy of Opportunity
The CMC ski program has been a life-changing opportunity for student-athletes, combining high-level competition with academic growth. For many, it has been a haven to rebuild confidence and skills, opening doors to prestigious Division I programs and personal success.
Sophomore Nicola Rountree-Williams is a shining example of this impact. After being rejected by Denver University (DU), she turned to CMC, where she excelled both academically and athletically. Earning a 3.99 GPA and achieving top finishes in competitive FIS races, she has secured DU’s highest merit scholarship for transfer students this past fall.
“CMC kind of saved my career,” Rountree-Williams said. “We melted down all the facets of my ski racing and built another layer of skills on top. I want to show everyone how hard I worked and how much CMC helped me.”
Sophomore Isaac Mozen shared a similar story of transformation. After a three-year academic break, Mozen joined CMC and found success in the classroom and on the slopes. This fall, he joined the University of Nevada, Reno’s Division I Alpine team.
“Going to CMC was the perfect opportunity to ease back into school and still be able to ski,” Mozen said. “It instilled confidence in every aspect of my life.”
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A Program That Builds Champions
For over 40 years, the CMC ski team has been a launching pad for athletes to achieve their potential. The program has guided skiers like Ainsley Proffit, who became an All-American at the University of Alaska, and Jack Reich, who earned National Collegiate All-Academic honors at CU-Boulder.
“Our team recruits motivated student-athletes and provides an environment where they can grow academically and athletically,” Head Coach Scott Tanner said. “The partnership with SSWSC, the proximity to Steamboat Resort and Howelsen Hill, and our small class sizes create the best training environment in the college world.”
Tanner also praised the team’s impact on campus life, noting that ski team athletes bring time management and communication skills that elevate the student body experience.
“Skiers enrich our student body with their diverse backgrounds and experiences,” he said. “They motivate their peers while contributing to a world-class campus culture.”
Financial Challenges Threaten the Team
Despite its proud legacy, the ski team faces mounting financial challenges. Rising costs have made it difficult for CMC to sustain the program, even as the college has shielded the team from budget cuts for nearly five years.
“For nearly five years, we’ve shielded the ski team from budget reductions,” CMC President Matt Gianneschi and Vice President J.C. Norling wrote in a letter to athletes. “However, we can no longer sustain this practice.”
Currently, the college covers training expenses and travel for RMISA races, while athletes pay for their own travel and entries for FIS and Nor-Am competitions. Without additional funding, the program may be discontinued after two more seasons.
An Uncertain Future
The potential end of the CMC ski team has sparked concern among athletes and alumni who value the program’s role in American ski racing.
Sophomore Sam McDermott expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s a shame Ski Town USA will be without a high-level collegiate ski program.”
“The impact canceling the CMC team will have on American ski racing won’t be fully realized until after we’re gone,” added sophomore Gerrit Kursh.
Freshman Maddie Welling emphasized the broader implications: “Without the CMC Ski Team, we are losing another opportunity to develop young athletes and expand the possibilities of ski racing in America.”
Rallying Support
The CMC ski team has helped countless athletes thrive academically and athletically while enriching the Steamboat Springs campus. Its legacy deserves recognition and discussion as the community considers its future.
“This program has changed lives,” Norling said. “Its legacy will continue, no matter what lies ahead.”
To share your feedback and support for the CMC ski team, https://colomtn.me/skiteamcomments. On December 6, team members and families met with the CMC president and the Dean of the Steamboat campus to address the situation and share their perspectives. The Board of Trustees will review this input during a meeting on December 11, with a final decision on the program’s future expected in January.
About the Author: Peter Lange
