The University of Connecticut Alpine Ski Team is headed to Lake Placid.
After a winter defined by depth, consistency, and clutch performances in the highly competitive MacConnell Division, both the UConn men’s and women’s teams have officially qualified for the 2026 USCSA National Championships, set for March 9–14 at Whiteface Mountain, N.Y.
Now, the Huskies are asking for support to help make the trip possible.
Road to Regionals
Throughout the regular season, UConn competed in five in-season races across the East, traveling to mountains in New Hampshire, Maine, and New York. Each race weekend brought together eight schools battling for a coveted top-five ranking to advance to the USCSA Eastern Regional Championships.
After a competitive winter campaign, both the UConn men’s and women’s teams secured fourth overall in the MacConnell Division — earning their spot at Regionals at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine.
Delivering Under Pressure at Sugarloaf
At Regionals, the intensity ramped up.
Sixteen teams from multiple divisions converged at Sugarloaf to compete in Giant Slalom and Slalom. Only the top five teams overall — plus one wildcard — would move on to Nationals.
The Huskies rose to the occasion.
The men powered to second place in the Slalom and third in the Giant Slalom, finishing second overall. The women followed with a third-place finish in the Slalom, fourth in the Giant Slalom, and secured third overall.
With those results, both teams officially qualified for the 2026 USCSA National Championships — placing UConn among the top collegiate club programs in the country.
Nationals Bound: Lake Placid Awaits
The athletes representing UConn at Whiteface Mountain include:
Seniors: Colby Rathbone, Abby Horning, Preston Bolus
Juniors: Charlotte Hill, Kendall Schulz, Trevor Buckeridge
Sophomores: Ian Hanrahan, Hadley Prewitt
Freshmen: Regan Chandler, Summer Duda, Jack Zipp
Competing at Nationals is an incredible achievement and a testament to the program’s depth and dedication. Racing at Whiteface — one of the most iconic venues in American ski racing — provides an opportunity to compete against the best collegiate athletes in the country.
Help the Huskies Get There
While qualifying both teams is a major milestone, UConn Alpine operates as a club sport with limited institutional funding. With upcoming cuts to club sports support at UConn, the team will receive less university assistance than in previous years.
Each athlete must cover a $560 national entry fee, in addition to lodging, transportation, and food expenses.
To help offset these costs and ensure the Huskies can represent UConn on the national stage, the team has launched a fundraising campaign. Donations will go directly toward reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the athletes and making this opportunity possible.
The UConn Alpine Ski Team is extremely grateful for the continued support from friends, family, alumni, and the UConn community. Every contribution — big or small — makes a meaningful impact.
Supporters can donate through the team’s GoFundMe and help share the fundraiser to expand its reach.
Lake Placid awaits.
Go Huskies.
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