Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic / Courtesy Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Jeanne Mackowski
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — Friday, December 19th, the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic once again transformed Howelsen Hill into one of the most vibrant and compelling stops on the winter racing calendar, blending elite FIS-level slalom racing with a festival atmosphere that felt equal parts competition and celebration.
Held December 19–20, the event welcomed top regional, collegiate, and nationally ranked racers from across the United States and nearly 15 other nations. As always, the weekend’s defining moment came Friday night with America’s Night Slalom, when racing under the lights turned Howelsen Hill into a packed, high-energy stadium.
A live DJ set the rhythm in the finish area. Meanwhile, fire pits and hot drinks kept fans warm as cowbells echoed through the venue. Then, when Santa skied through the start gate to open the night session, the crowd responded immediately — and the tone for the evening was set.
Just as importantly, the racing delivered from the very first turn.
America’s Night Slalom Delivers High-Level Racing
Earlier in the day, 74 men and 55 women advanced through afternoon racing for the chance to compete under the lights. By nightfall, the stage was set for a fast, aggressive, and highly competitive slalom.
On the women’s side, Paige Dehart (University of Colorado) skied with confidence and momentum to win the Holiday Classic Night Slalom. Mia Hunt (University of Denver) followed in second, while Louison Accambray (University of Colorado) claimed third. Two-time defending overall Holiday Classic champion Sara Rask (University of Denver) finished fourth, with Christina Jacobsen (University of Utah) rounding out the top five.
In the men’s race, Filip Wahlqvist (University of Colorado) attacked from the top and held his advantage to take the victory. Julian Arthur (Middlebury College) finished second, while Justin Bigatel (University of Colorado) completed the podium. Utah’s Johs Braathen Herland and local standout Jay Poulter, a Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club alum, were among the racers drawing the loudest reactions from the crowd.
Home Hill Energy Meets Elite Competition
Beyond the results, one of the defining strengths of the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic remains its connection to Steamboat Springs.
The field included U.S. Ski Team athletes and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club alumni Jeremy Nolting and Jay Poulter, along with 14 additional local racers now competing collegiately who returned to race on their home hill. As a result, elite racing felt personal — athletes pushing hard on terrain they know intimately, supported by a hometown crowd that understands every roll and rhythm of Howelsen Hill.
“This event is a highlight of the year because of the iconic, challenging Howelsen Hill race venue and the amazing fans that gather at the finish to cheer them on,” said Jon Nolting, Chief Operating Officer of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. “The festive atmosphere and prize money attract the best skiers around, and our local racers love the opportunity to compete with such a strong field on their home hill.”
Another factor that distinguished the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic from nearly every other FIS-level event this season was the effort required to make the races happen at all. The event awarded $31,000 in total prize money across the two days of slalom, an unusually high purse for a race at this level. At the same time, an unseasonably warm fall across much of the region made making enough snow a challenge.
Despite those conditions, the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club did the hard work required to pull the races off on Howelsen Hill, preparing the venue entirely with artificial snow and delivering a surface that lasted through both afternoon and night racing. The result was a demanding track that allowed high-level competition to unfold as hoped.
Racing with Purpose: Honoring Murphy Roberts
Equally important, the Holiday Classic continues to honor Murphy Roberts, a former SSWSC athlete who passed away unexpectedly in 2016 at age 22. Now in its 24th year, the event remains deeply connected to his legacy and values.
During Friday night’s awards ceremony, the Roberts family presented three $1,000 scholarships to athletes who best embodied Murphy’s passion for alpine ski racing, enthusiasm, and commitment to team culture:
- Schuyler Biglow — Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
- Valerie Faith Cross — Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club
- Nadia Leunig — Team Summit
Click images to enlarge
In that moment, the focus shifted beyond podiums, reinforcing why the event holds such meaning for athletes and families alike.
Youth and Junior Standouts
At the same time, the Holiday Classic highlighted the next generation of racers.
In the U18 women’s race, Caley Goforth (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club) earned the victory, followed by Katie McDonald and Maya Maxson of Ski & Snowboard Club Vail.
Similarly, on the U18 men’s side, Trevor Palmquist (Team Summit) took first, ahead of Matthew Kafka (SSWSC) and Matthew McDermott (Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club).
Meanwhile, junior victories went to Paige Dehart and Julian Arthur, further underscoring their depth and consistency across multiple categories.
A Benchmark Event on the Global Calendar
For longtime observers of the sport, the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic stands out well beyond the regional circuit.
Peter Lange, publisher of Ski Racing Media, has spent four decades traveling the world and attending alpine ski races from children’s racing to the highest levels of the sport.
“I’ve traveled the globe for four decades attending races from children’s racing to the highest levels, and in my opinion this is probably the best FIS-level race in the world,” Lange said. “The atmosphere is unmatched. The prize money is exceptional. And most importantly, it’s the most fun — for the athletes, for the fans, and for everyone involved.”
Complete Holiday Classic Night Slalom Results
(Friday, December 19 — America’s Night Slalom)
Women – Holiday Classic Night Slalom
- Paige Dehart — University of Colorado
- Mia Hunt — University of Denver
- Louison Accambray — University of Colorado
- Sara Rask — University of Denver
- Christina Jacobsen — University of Utah
Click Images to enlarge
Junior Women
- Paige Dehart — University of Colorado
- Alex Brownlie — University of Colorado
- Viveka Deck Stang — Colorado Mountain College
U18 Women
- Caley Goforth — Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
- Katie McDonald — Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
- Maya Maxson — Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
Click images to enlarge
Photo: Jeanne Mackowski
Photo: Jeanne Mackowski
Men – Holiday Classic Night Slalom
- Filip Wahlqvist — University of Colorado
- Julian Arthur — Middlebury College
- Justin Bigatel — University of Colorado
- Johs Braathen Herland — University of Utah
- Jay Poulter — University of Utah / Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club alum
Click images to enlarge.
Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic Podium Photo: Jeanne Mackowski
Junior Men
- Julian Arthur — Middlebury College
- Aksel Lindenmeyr — APEX 2100
- Jevin Palmquist — Team Summit
U18 Men
- Trevor Palmquist — Team Summit
- Matthew Kafka — Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
- Matthew McDermott — Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club
Click images to enlarge
Photo: Jeanne Mackowski
Photo: Jeanne Mackowski
A Steamboat Tradition, Once Again Delivered
Finally, racing concluded Saturday with another full day of slalom competition, closing out a weekend that once again highlighted the unique role Howelsen Hill plays in American ski racing.
Ultimately, with elite competition, meaningful prize money, and an atmosphere that brings athletes and fans together, the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic once again proved why it remains one of the most respected and enjoyable FIS-level events on the calendar — and why it continues to shine brightest under the lights in Steamboat Springs.
About the Author: Peter Lange
