Drawing of Nordic skier skating, Done by alumus Rebecca Watson

University of Wyoming Nordic Skiing



Nordic skiing is an exciting and active sport in the state of Wyoming. The average High School Nordic ski race has upwards of 100 participants from all over the state. Until just recently it was very difficult for a young skier from Wyoming to continue skiing in college. Unless they were able to fund their own out of state education or were able to attend national events to attract the attention of ski schools in other parts of the country their ski career ended with their graduation from High School. Seven years ago skiers from Wyoming and Colorado, who did not want their dreams to die, started the UW Nordic Ski Club and the rest is history.

The UW Nordic Club is a member of the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. The USCSA is a group that encompasses both fully funded varsity teams as well as club teams. The UW Nordic Club competes regionally against the Air Force Academy, Colorado Mountain College, Colorado State University and Colorado School of Mines and has attended 7 National Championships. During this short time the UW Nordic Ski Club have had some amazing results:

  • 1 Men's Overall Team Title (2006)
  • 3 Women's Overall Team Titles (2003,2004, 2007)
  • 2 Men's Team Titles
  • 9 Women's Team Titles
  • 3 Individual Men's Titles (Dennis Feeney-2, Riley Hopeman-1)
  • 8 Individual Women's Titles (Erika Lore-1, Jennifer Kinner-6, Kristen Boroff-1)
  • 39 Overall Individual All-Americans
  • 3 Team Relay Title (2 women's, one men's)

All abilities and interests are welcome. The team is divided into three parts the elite racing team, the competitive racing team and the recreational racing team. If you want to race at a collegiate level this is the club for you. Everyone is welcome! The team trains 3 times a week during the fall and winter. The elite & competitive racing team will attend up to 8 race weekends each season. The elite team also does 2-3 NCAA Division I races. The recreational team will attend all races in Laramie as well as any races that do not require an overnight trip.

Last season the team qualified 6 women and 7 men for USCSA Nationals in Sugarloaf, Maine. Both the women’s and men’s teams won all the races during the season. We also had many top 3 finishes by both the men and women. At USCSA Nationals UW came away with the first National Men's Team title and Runner-Up Title for and extremely young women's team.Click here for results and newspaper articles.

The team is extremely fortunate to have two well-qualified coaches who are willing to donate their time and expertise, they are volunteer and receive no pay. UW alumni Christi Boggs was a member of the UW NCAA Division I Nordic Ski Team from 1987 to 1992. While at UW Christi was first-team All-American three times and second-team All-American once, the top skier on the strongest Women's Nordic Team in the Country. Joining Christi as a coach is Rachel Watson who was a varsity skier for Denver University NCAA Division I Ski Team and former Colorado High School State Champion.

Last season the UW Nordic Ski Club raised close to $20,000. That money was spent on entry fees, travel, racing wax and lodging (the athletes were responsible for food and any other incidentals). Club Sports helped with paying National Dues and entry fees for Nationals.

This year USCSA Nationals are TBA. To attend races during the season as well as take athletes to this important event will require a considerable amount of money, over $10,000. The team works extremely hard to raise money, working concessions at football and basketball games, selling Krispy Kreme donuts, hosting a benefit dinner and many other activities. Every club member is expected to participate in these activities.

If you have any questions about training, racing, fund-raising or anything else please feel free to email us.

We hope to see you out there!

Make donations to the team online!


For more information contact: uwski@yahoo.com

University of Wyoming

University of Wyoming
Nordic Ski Club
Dept. 3604
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071

Last Updated: November 27, 2007

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