Colorado Mountain College Eagles are Steamboat’s home team in college skiing

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — Who knew that right here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado Mountain College boasts a world-class alpine ski team? The rest of the collegiate ski world – that’s who! The CMC Eagles are no secret to competing student-athletes in the Division 1 Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association – arguably the most competitive conference in college ski racing. Those coaches and racers from powerhouse schools like CU Boulder, the University of Denver, and the University of Utah are increasingly taking notice of the Eagles’ impressive results in conference, FIS, and Nor-AM races here and nationwide.

CMC’s Steamboat Springs campus is the ideal setting for the team’s racers. Founded in 1967, the college has grown from two campuses to 11 locations throughout Colorado’s mountain resort region. As a dual mission, local district institution, it offers bachelor’s and associate degrees, professional certifications, and non-credit community classes. Here at the Steamboat campus, degrees include ski and snowboard business, and action sports, among dozens of other educational programs.

As many local families know, once an athlete graduates from high school, the opportunities to ski with a top-level NCAA Division 1 college team are few and far between. This forces athletes to pursue their training independent of their schooling, often at tremendous cost to their families.
Enter CMC – and head ski coach Scott Tanner. Under Tanner’s direction, this team of 14 talented skiers has access to top-notch training facilities at Steamboat Ski Resort and Howelsen Hill, just steps from campus. It’s a win-win.

“Our partnership with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club allows us to have some of the best training in the country,” Tanner said. “With afternoon and evening classes at CMC, it is similar to a ski academy but at the college level. And being on this team provides another opportunity to athletes who may not funnel into the narrow development pipeline that is American skiing.”

Skiing and Studying

Nicola Rountree-Williams is a three-year veteran of the US Ski Team and was looking for a place to grow personally and athletically. She found it at CMC.

“My highest priority was to find a school and a ski team that would provide me with the level of support necessary to succeed as an autistic student-athlete,” she said. “After one year at CMC, I’ve seen myself grow into a happier and healthier person who enjoys the sport more than ever.”
Now as a sophomore, Rountree-Williams is hoping to rack up more wins following a stellar freshman season, where she was consistently in the top 10 in RMISA and stood on several FIS podiums. She will lead a five-athlete women’s team this year that Coach Tanner describes as the strongest women’s team in CMC history.

The men’s side boasts two returning juniors, four returning sophomores, and three new freshman recruits. Team captain, junior Matt Macaluso said, “Every day we are working to make our team a cohesive group. We are all strong individuals but together as a team we are more powerful in every aspect of life.”

The Eagle’s results speak for themselves. “We’re starting to get CMC kids in the top 10 at RMISA races, often placing as the first American in a stacked field,” said Tanner. “The kids work hard, we train a lot, and the team does a great job in the classroom too.” Last year’s team GPA was an impressive 3.64.

Graduates of the Eagles ski team have gone on to successful race careers with bigger D-1 teams, careers in business (including the ski business), and many have gone on to advanced academic degrees.

“We’re having a successful run as our athletes move beyond CMC to further their education and skiing careers, or to enter the professional world,” said Tanner. Nicolas Unkovskoy, a one-year member of the Eagles said, “Attending CMC helped me become a more balanced individual and gave me the tools I needed to pursue my ski racing career while simultaneously working toward a degree. I am now fortunate enough to continue my ski racing and educational journey at Middlebury College.”

You can watch the CMC Eagles Ski Team in action this winter during two home races. Catch the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic on December 18-21 at Steamboat Ski Resort and Howelsen Hill, and the University of Colorado Invitational in Steamboat Springs on February 1-3. Both events feature night races under the lights at Howelsen with great viewing. Bring your cowbell and cheer on the home team!

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