A Word on College Ski Racing
For anyone that has interacted with me on a level that involves ski racing as a topic, knows that my opinion on college ski racing stands firm: for anyone who doesn't recognize the work that some of the athletes across the pond put in, and thinks “oh well that’s just college”, has no idea what the hell he or she is talking about and should take some time to think about whether they actually know as much about skiing as they think they do. Which brings me to why I’m writing this piece today.
Let’s start with the obvious “counter-arguments” that I’ve heard over the years.
If someone goes to ski in college, they’re – basically – giving up.
Can this happen? Absolutely. Have I seen it happen with my own eyes? That there’s people who go to college to enjoy ski racing while also getting a degree, because they don’t see it as a possibility to become a professional anymore? One hundred percent.
Naturally, I’m not going to name anyone in this context, because everybody is his or her own person and can make their own decisions, and have their own reasons for said decisions.
However, to say that every athlete who chooses to join a collegiate team has given up on ski racing is moronic, and borderline inconsiderate to every bad, hard-working, motherf*cker whom I’ve encountered during my time there, as well as every single kid with ambitions who’s decided to move across the world to keep pursuing their dreams.
They might be serious skiers, but their results aren’t taken seriously.
Okay. Let’s do a little history-lecture, shall we?
In 2025 Raphael Lessard (University of Utah) won the overall NorAm standings with a remarkable 598 point advantage over the second ranked. He won the overall standings in DH, and SG, as well as (btw) placing second in the overall SL (!) standings, earning himself a well-deserved spot on the Canadian National Team and fix-spot on the WC tour this past 25/26 season. Oh yea he also won the esteemed Steamboat, Holiday-Classic GS in December ’24, which he followed up by winning the Europa-Cup SG in Pass Thurn with Bib 34. Three days later; finishes 9th with Bib 72 (!) in the DH. Not impressed? Well, he scored his first WC points this past December in Val Gardena with a 20th place finish.
I hope your recovery is going well, buddy.
Let’s look at this past season.
Johs Braathen Herland (University of Utah) has won the NorAm overall title, as well as the GS standings, while finishing 2nd and 5th in SG and SL, respectively. On top of that, he earned himself a second individual GS NCAA Champion-title, as well as bronze in the SL. In the western regional college races (RMISA), he either “podiumed” or won 10 out of the 14 regular season races.
How about on the women’s side?
Here’s a breakdown of the overall NorAm rankings from the ‘24/’25 season compared to the ‘25/’26 season:
1. Annika Hunt (joined UU): 938 points => World Cup debut in Levi ’25; unfortunately out due to injury for the remainder of the season
2. Elisabeth Bocock (Dartmouth): 740 points => 19th in Sölden, 14th and 30th in Kranjska, 12 in Kronplatz, Silver at WJC, U.S. National Champion in GS
3. Liv Moritz (DU): 738 points => EC Win in Ahrntal SL as well as two more top 10s in EC in SWE, 13th at the Spindlerluv Mlyn World Cup (she also, apparently, plays soccer at DU, btw)
4. Mary Bocock (Dartmouth): 677 points => 5 Top 20 placements in the WC, as well as finishing Top 30 in the overall SG standing in the WC, Silver at U.S. National Championships
5. Haley Cutler (former MSU): 576 points => 7 Top 30 World Cup finishes, 3rd place at the EC Finals in Saalbach
A bit further back; in 2024 I’ve raced my final season in college. We kicked it off at the Utah Invite, on the new Olympic Park hill. After leading the first run, I’ve dropped down to second and got beaten by Ryder Sarchett (CU). He went on to secure the Junior World’s title, some weeks later. This past season he made top 30 in the World Cup three times, in one of which he finished 10th on one of the most challenging hills on the whole circuit – Val d’Isere (although which GS isn’t challenging on the WC tour?). He also had his first appearance at the Olympic Winter Games, where he paced 25th.
Cooper Puckett (Dartmouth) got his maiden WC points in Levi this past season, as well as secured himself the U.S. National Champion Title in SL.
Jeremie Lagier (Westminster College) delivered numerous Top 30 flips in the EC after finishing up college.
Loic Chable (Westminster/DU) made Swiss B-Team criteria whilst in college.
Tanner Perkins (MSU) made U.S. B-Team criteria whilst in college.
I could go on and on; and this is only from the past few years that I’ve picked out. There’s plenty of names out there who have made their way in the ski racing world that have come out of the collegiate system.
Conclusion
So, what’s the point?
I’ve had 4 athletes join four different college teams over the past two years as well as some whom I’ve watched closely during my time on the hill. Naturally, since I’ve also been part of the collegiate system myself, I will be more biased to defend it.
Either way, the stats the I’ve mentioned are to be taken seriously – from coaches and athletes alike.
To any previous athlete of mine reading this, or to any athlete that is starting or thinking about starting in the U.S. collegiate system – whether it’s because of a financial, personal, or sport perspective – and is having doubts about whether “this is it” before they even started, let this be your reminder that it isn’t. Anyone who tells you otherwise, can only be right if you let them.
Will you have to work harder than the ones who are there to enjoy and “have fun”? Yes. Will it be hard to balance being your own tech, even coach at times, while managing a full school-schedule? Absolutely. Will you have to fight for yourself, at times, to get the shot you deserve, because some coaches don’t see the work you’re putting in? Also, yes.
If you want to sail by, get a degree, and enjoy your time in the U.S. – that is fine.
If you want to try and become a more complete athlete, you’ll have to put in the work. And, if you want to be recognized by the people who, desperately, do not want to recognize what you do as legitimate, make it undeniable. If you want to make it undeniable, you’ll have to put in an undeniable amount of work.
Even if it doesn't go to plan, you’ll have a much better and interesting story to tell when you know you’ve left it all out there.
Stay hungry. Keep learning.
To everyone whom I’ve been in the trenches with, and who is currently fighting in those trenches - still committed to the game - thank you! Keep fighting.
Until next time.