CMU Cross Country Ski Team Hosts Colorado’s Largest Youth Ski Racing Event at Snow Mountain Ranch
Colorado Mesa University made waves in the Nordic ski world this past weekend by hosting the largest youth cross country ski racing event in the state at Snow Mountain Ranch, January 25–26, 2025. The CMU Cross Country Ski Team not only led the charge as event organizers of the USCSA Ski Racing Festival, but also delivered a string of standout performances across both race days.
This event was made possible thanks to the generous partnership with the Nordic Center at YMCA of the Rockies – Snow Mountain Ranch and the financial support of the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board, whose contributions were essential in bringing this celebration of skiing to life.
The two-day festival served as an official USCSA Rocky Mountain Conference race for collegiate athletes and welcomed 100 racers from eight Colorado and Wyoming universities, alongside more than 250 high school and middle school student-athletes from across Colorado. The turnout and energy made it clear: this was a high-altitude, high-impact celebration of Nordic skiing.
Day 1: 15K Skate Race – January 25
The event kicked off with a 15-kilometer skate race, drawing a lively crowd and fierce competition. CMU’s Iver Skaarseth stormed to victory, claiming first place overall in the men’s division, while Jayna Boonstra skied into second place in the women’s race.
CMU Results – 15K Skate:
- Iver Skaarseth – 1st (Men)
- Jayna Boonstra – 2nd (Women)
- Wes Sumner – 4th (Men)
- Ruthie Richardson – 7th (Women)
- Jack Lackman – 9th (Men)
- Garret Moehring – 10th (Men)
- Modesty Manion – 15th (Women)
- Eli Lammers – 27th (Men)
- Kelly Martin – 30th (Men)
The vibe was electric, the snow conditions fast, and the athletes fired up—making for a thrilling first day of racing.
Day 2: Classic Sprint Showdown – January 26
CMU skiers turned up the heat for Sunday’s classic sprint races, sweeping the men’s podium in spectacular fashion:
Men’s Classic Sprint Results:
- 🥇 Iver Skaarseth – 3:19.7
- 🥈 Garret Moehring – 3:46.6
- 🥉 Wesley Sumner – 3:50.3
Women’s Classic Sprint Results:
- 🥇 Kelli Archie – 4:16.0 (Boulder Nordic)
- 🥈 Erica Meyers – 4:18.0 (University of Wyoming)
- 🥉 Maddy Rosenberger – 4:20.8 (Western Colorado University)
The weekend was more than just a race—it was a celebration of ski culture, youth development, and CMU’s growing role as a leader in the sport. Athletes represented a range of USCSA programs, including Colorado College, CMU, Colorado State University, University of Denver, CU Boulder, University of Wyoming, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Western Colorado University.
Big congratulations to all racers, and a huge thank you to the volunteers, coaches, and supporters who made the festival possible.
Stay tuned for more updates as CMU continues to make its mark on the snow this season.