Featured Image: Filip Wahlqvist skiing for University of Colorado. Credit: Ski Racing Media

The NCAA Championships witness the convergence of the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA) and Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The University of Colorado is hosting the prestigious event, where athletes from both associations will showcase their skills and determination to win the Championship trophy.

Last season, the University of Utah won their fourth consecutive team NCAA Championship trophy (2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023). In 2023, the University of Colorado was the runner-up. However, this season, the University of Colorado (RMISA) and the University of Vermont (EISA) are heading into the NCAA Championships with the highest points for the different associations.

At the end of the RMISA Championships, the Buffs had 671.2 points, the University of Utah had 589.5 points, the University of Denver had 559, Montana State University had 523.5, and the University of Alaska Anchorage was in fifth with 420. Colorado, Utah, and Denver have qualified three full teams of 12 athletes. Alaska Fairbanks (Nordic only) and Westminster (alpine only) will also have six skier teams in attendance. Alaska Anchorage will have ten skiers, Montana State nine, and Nevada one.

On the EISA side, the University of Vermont earned another carnival victory, winning all but one carnival this season. The Catamounts (UVM) have proven they will be very strong contenders at the NCAA Championships. The University of Vermont, University of New Hampshire, and Dartmouth have all qualified a full team. Middlebury, Colby, Saint Michael’s, Bates, Plymouth State, Harvard, and Williams have also qualified at least one racer. For Bates and Williams, it is their first qualifier in the post-pandemic era, while Colby will bring its largest team since 2015.

The University of Denver has the largest trophy box, winning 24 NCAA Championships, ten since 2000. The Buffs have an impressive 20, and Utah has 14. The only other schools to win the NCAA Championships have been Vermont (6), Dartmouth (3), Wyoming (2) and New Mexico (1).

NCAA Schedule (March 6th-March 9th)

Wednesday, March 6 

• Men’s Giant Slalom
• Women’s Giant Slalom

Thursday, March 7

• Men’s 7.5 km Individual Freestyle
• Women’s 7.5 km Individual Freestyle

Friday March 8

• Women’s Slalom
• Men’s Slalom

Saturday March 9

• Women’s 20 km Mass Start Classical
• Men’s 20 km Mass Start Classical

All four days of racing will be streamed on NCAA.com