The Wyoming High School Nordic Skiing State Championships are set for this weekend at the Skyline Nordic Trail System near Pinedale. The event features freestyle and classic races for both girls and boys, with several defending champions returning. The championships were relocated from South Pass near Lander due to snow conditions.
The 2026 Wyoming High School Nordic Skiing State Championships will take place on Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, at the Skyline Nordic Trail System, adjacent to the White Pines Ski Area north of Pinedale. This venue hosts the final races of the season, including a 5km freestyle or skate race and a 10km classic race.
The Wyoming High School Activities Association announced the move from the original site on South Pass outside Lander in early February, citing snow conditions. Participating teams include Cody, Jackson, Kelly Walsh, Lander, Laramie, Natrona County, Pinedale, and Sheridan.
On the girls' side, Jackson enters as the defending overall champion, aiming for a repeat and a 26th title in school history. Kayley Alicke of Sheridan returns to defend her freestyle title, while Raina Wachob of Cody seeks to repeat in the classic race. Other top girls contenders are Olivia Tolson of Pinedale, Tirzah Ellis of Jackson, Twyla Beason of Lander, Julia Veauthier of Kelly Walsh, Hailie Schramm of Cody, and Atten Aronowitz of Jackson. Leading team contenders are Cody, Jackson, Sheridan, and Laramie.
For the boys, Kelly Walsh is the defending overall champion, pursuing a third straight title and fifth in school history. New champions will be crowned in both events. Key boys contenders include Darin Binning of Pinedale, Everett Roberson and Austin Thomas of Kelly Walsh, Ellery Preheim, Jackson Mayer, and Charlie von Maur-Newcomb of Jackson, Braden Bosco of Natrona County, and Kade Shideman of Sheridan. Top team contenders are Lander, Laramie, Sheridan, and Pinedale.
The schedule starts with the boys' 5km freestyle at 10 a.m. and girls' at 11 a.m. on Friday, followed by the girls' 10km classic at 10 a.m. and boys' at 11 a.m. on Saturday. All races use 15-second interval starts.
