I hope NCAA skiing lasts a long time

[UltimateUte]

Unlike the “ball sports” (that’s what my surf buddy calls them) which are relatively recent inventions and whose rules seemingly change every year, skiing is a way of life, an activity that humans have engaged in for at least 5,000 years. The U ski team regularly attains some of the highest academic achievement of any U athletic team, with many of the team members majoring in engineering, computer science, biochemistry, etc. They are not paid professionals (no NIL), true student athletes. Half the team speaks two languages fluently. It probably helps to have a fond view of it when the Skiing Utes have won 5 of the last 6 NCAA championships. It also helps the team that Spence Eccles built a fabulous on campus ski team building, and that he funded the Utah Olympic Park alpine training facility, complete with chairlift, lights, and snowmaking, which the Skiing Utes have priority use of.

I was a volunteer at the Utah ski invitational last winter. The course had a very steep icy section where alpine skiers had to wrap around a gate and the slope immediately below was convex, difficult to gain purchase, especially when traveling at 50 mph. Each one of the men and women negotiated it perfectly, leaving me to think, I see why these skiers are on full ride scholarships.

About 20 teams compete in the NCAA skiing championships each year, but only about a dozen field both men’s and women’s alpine and nordic teams. Yes it could be more competitive but it would be a sad day if it were eliminated.

[Carolina_Cycling_Ute]

I hope that NCAA skiing sticks around too. I’d like to see the NCAA do more for cycling since USA Cycling has a hard time doing anything at the grassroots level. But I am biased towards my favorite sport.

[AbsoluteUte]

@UltimateUte

…us on campus ski team building, and that he funded the Utah Olympic Park alpine training facility, complete with chairlift, lights, and snowmaking, which the Skiing Utes have priority use of.I was a volunteer at the Utah ski invitational last winter. The course had a very steep icy section where alpine skiers had to wrap around a gate and the slope immediately below was convex, difficult to gain purchase, especially when traveling at 50 mph. Each one of the men and women negotiated it perfectly, leaving me to think, I see why these skiers are on full ride scholarships.About 20 teams compete in the NCAA skiing championships each year, but only about a dozen field both men’s and women’s alpine and nordic teams. Yes it could be more competitive but it would be a sad day if it were eliminated.

Couldn’t agree with you more!

The Utah men’s skiing team won a national championship in 1981; the women, 1978. The teams won the combined national championship in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
- Wikipedia

[salUTE]

@Carolina_Cycling_Ute

I hope that NCAA skiing sticks around too. I’d like to see the NCAA do more for cycling since USA Cycling has a hard time doing anything at the grassroots level. But I am biased towards my favorite sport.

I could not agree more, and yes, it is my personal favorite sport

[salUTE]

Sorry, I know it’s bad form to create back-to-back posts in the same thread…

My two favorite actual participation sports are cycling and cross country skiing.

I love that the U has a consistently great XC Ski program, and hope that if there is ever a significant interest in cycling in the NCAA, that Utah recognizes what a great opportunity it would be for the U. Utah is a spectacular place to cycle!