NCAA Nationals Champions University of Utah: Photo/ Stephen Cloutier
Information provided by the University of Utah Athletic Department press release.
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Ski Team and the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA) have released the finalized schedule for the 2026 collegiate ski season. The defending NCAA champions will face conference rivals in five regular-season meets, including five race days on home snow between Soldier Hollow and the Utah Olympic Park.
Season Overview
Utah, winner of four of the last five NCAA titles and 17 national championships overall, will look to defend its crown in Bozeman, Montana, where both the RMISA and NCAA Championships will take place in late February and March.
The season begins in early January and continues through mid-March, alternating between Nordic and Alpine events across the Rocky Mountain region.
Nordic Season Opens in Lake Placid
The Utes open the season with the RMISA Invitational on Jan. 4 in Lake Placid, New York, a Nordic-only meet held within the U.S. National Championships.
Over five days, teams will compete in three collegiate races, one serving as an individual NCAA qualifier.
Alpine Season Begins in Colorado
The Alpine season opens with a busy four-day block that combines the Denver Invitational and Colorado Invitational, running from Jan. 12–15:
- Jan. 12–13: Giant slalom at Eldora Mountain Resort
- Jan. 14–15: Slalom at Loveland Ski Area
These early-season races set the tone for the Utes’ Alpine squad and provide key NCAA qualifying opportunities.
Utah Invitational – Nordic Events
The Utah Invitational begins with Nordic races at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, the 2002 Olympic venue, on Jan. 24–25:
- Jan. 24: 7.5K freestyle (individual start)
- Jan. 25: 15K classic (mass start)
Nevada Alpine Races – Mount Rose Ski Tahoe
Utah’s Alpine athletes will head to Mount Rose Ski Tahoe in Reno, Nevada, for four consecutive race days from Jan. 31–Feb. 3:
- Jan. 31–Feb. 1: Slalom
- Feb. 2–3: Giant slalom
This midseason stop offers valuable experience and NCAA qualification points before the Utes return home.
Nordic Focus in February
The Nordic circuit continues with two key February meets:
- Feb. 7–8: Denver Invitational at Maloit Park
- Feb. 13–14: Colorado Invitational at Howelsen Hill
These events will help shape RMISA standings before the championship phase begins.
Utah Invitational – Alpine Events on Home Snow
The Utah Invitational concludes with Alpine races on home snow at the Spencer F. Eccles Olympic Mountain Center at the Utah Olympic Park:
- Feb. 22: Giant slalom
- Feb. 23: Additional GS qualifier
- Feb. 24: Slalom
These races mark Utah’s only home Alpine events of the season, giving fans a chance to see the Utes race in Park City.
RMISA Championships – Bozeman, Montana
The RMISA Championships are set for Feb. 26–28 in Bozeman, Montana, offering a preview of the national championship courses.
Alpine (Bridger Bowl):
- Feb. 26: Giant slalom
- Feb. 27–28: Slalom
Nordic (Crosscut Mountain Sports Center):
Races will be held concurrently over the same three days.
NCAA Championships Return to Montana
The 2026 NCAA Championships will also be hosted in Bozeman, from March 11–14, with the following schedule:
Alpine:
- March 11: Giant slalom
- March 13: Slalom
Nordic:
- March 12: 7.5K classic
- March 14: 20K freestyle
Building Toward Another Title Run
With depth across both the Nordic and Alpine squads, Utah enters the 2026 season as the team to beat. Hosting five home races and competing at familiar Western venues, the Utes are well-positioned for another championship run.
RMISA/NCAA Calendar Review
Nordic — RMISA Regular Season
- Jan. 4–8 — RMISA Invitational (within U.S. Nationals), Lake Placid, NY: Nordic-only; three collegiate races (one individual NCAA qualifier).
- Jan. 24 — Utah Invitational, Soldier Hollow: 7.5K freestyle (individual start).
- Jan. 25 — Utah Invitational, Soldier Hollow: 15K classic (mass start).
- Feb. 7–8 — Denver Invitational, Maloit Park.
- Feb. 13–14 — Colorado Invitational, Howelsen Hill.
Alpine — RMISA Regular Season
- Jan. 12–13 — Eldora Mountain Resort: Spencer James Nelson Memorial giant slaloms. The first race counts toward the Denver Invitational, and the second toward the Colorado Invitational.
- Jan. 14–15 — Loveland Ski Area: Slalom. The first race is part of the Denver Invitational, and the second is part of the Colorado Invitational.
- Jan. 31–Feb. 1 — Mount Rose Ski Tahoe (Reno): Slalom.
- Feb. 2–3 — Mount Rose Ski Tahoe (Reno): Giant slalom.
- Feb. 22 — Utah Invitational, Utah Olympic Park: Giant slalom.
- Feb. 23 — Utah Olympic Park: Additional GS qualifier.
- Feb. 24 — Utah Olympic Park: Slalom.
RMISA Championships — Bozeman, MT (Feb. 26–28)
- Alpine (Bridger Bowl): Feb. 26 GS; Feb. 27–28 SL.
- Nordic (Crosscut Mountain Sports Center): Nordic races run concurrently.
NCAA Championships — Bozeman, MT
- Alpine: March 11 GS; March 13 SL.
- Nordic: March 12 — 7.5K classic; March 14 — 20K freestyle.
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