Race Information

Race Opportunities

As part of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the USCSA (United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association), the CU Boulder Nordic Ski Club competes in four official races each season. These races are hosted at different venues across Colorado and the surrounding region, offering diverse terrain and exciting challenges for all levels of skiers.

Each race weekend typically includes:

Two races (classic & skate)
Men’s and women’s divisions
A fun, supportive team environment

At the end of the season, athletes who qualify based on their performance and conference rankings have the opportunity to compete at USCSA Nationals, a week-long competition bringing together top collegiate Nordic athletes from across the country.

Race Distances & Disciplines
Our race weekends feature two main events:

Long Distance Race: 7.5 km to 21 km (typically around 15 km)
Sprint Race: 1 km to 5 km (usually about 5 km)
The disciplines alternate each weekend. For example, in Leadville, the long race will likely be a classic event on Saturday, with a skate sprint on Sunday. The following race weekend in Laramie will have a classic sprint on Saturday and a 21 km skate race on Sunday.

Teams We Race With
We compete in the US Collegiate Sports Association (USCSA) Rocky Mountain division alongside teams from:

Colorado Mesa University
University of Wyoming
Colorado College
Western University
Colorado State University
Air Force Academy
Denver University
Montana State University

Uniforms & Race Suits
Wearing a race suit is optional. We offer a two-piece race suit for purchase at approximately $190. You can choose to buy just the top or the bottoms if that’s what you prefer.

Can I Just Try One Race?
Absolutely! You’re welcome to race as many or as few events as you like. However, if you're planning to attend Nationals, you must compete in at least two race weekends.

Cost Breakdown
The costs include carpooling to the race venue, food, lodging, and race entry fees. Some of these expenses will be covered by the club, so it’s expected to be around $80 per race weekend.

Hotel & Food Arrangements

We book hotels about two weeks in advance, so please confirm if you're attending by then. The team will provide sandwiches for lunch, and we'll either cook dinner and breakfast or eat out. Feel free to bring your own food if you prefer.

Do I Need My Own Equipment?
It depends on the venue. Not all race locations will have rentals that are race-quality. If you need to rent gear, you’ll need to arrange it yourself, but we’re happy to provide advice on what gear is best for racing.

What If I Want to Race Elsewhere?
If there’s a race you’re interested in that’s not on the schedule, let us know at least a month in advance. We’re always open to new races, including rollerski events!

Got More Questions?
Feel free to reach out to us: