Madeline Carr ’28
Staff Writer
At Holy Cross, the Ski Team is more than just a way to spend time on the slopes, but is a close community built on competition, camaraderie, and a shared love of skiing. While some students may assume the team is a casual recreational club, members are quick to clarify that it’s a dedicated alpine racing program, competing in the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) against colleges across New England.
The season is packed with energy from the start, beginning with a week-long training camp at Sunday River over winter break. Far from being a laid-back Après Ski getaway, the camp is the team’s chance to set the tone for the season.
Members spend long hours on the mountain practicing drills, running gates, and fine-tuning their racing technique. It’s an intense week, but it also offers plenty of time for team bonding. From there, the competition season kicks into high gear.
“We compete against other colleges and universities throughout January and February, at places like Jay Peak, Sugarloaf, Whaleback, and the Middlebury Snow Bowl,” explained senior captain Sophia Rowley.
Races mean early mornings, and the nerves of standing in the start gate, waiting for a countdown before flying down a course lined with gates and icy turns.
But for members of the Holy Cross Ski Team, the adrenaline of racing is only half the draw. Beyond the results sheet, what stands out most is the culture of support.
“If you love to ski and want to be a part of a group that values both competition and community, then you would be a great addition to the ski team,” said secretary Anna Rowley. “People often think the ski team is a recreational club, but we are actually a race team. Prior ski racing experience is not required, but definitely useful.”
That inclusivity has helped the team grow year after year. Experienced racers and newcomers train side by side, with veterans helping first-timers adjust to the rhythm of racing.
“You don’t have to have race experience to join the team,” Sophia emphasized. “You just need to be an experienced skier, and be willing to jump into gates and have a positive attitude about racing. The team will help you through it.”
For many members, the real rewards of a Ski Team come off the course.
“I’ve made some of my closest friends on the ski team,” Sophia shared. “Our training camp and races keep me busy during winter break, which I love, and it’s such a great community to come back to on campus.”
Long rides to competitions, team dinners, and even the nerves of waiting at the top of the course all turn into memories that bind teammates together.
Traditions also play a big role in shaping the team’s identity. The highlight of every season is the costume race, the final event of the regular schedule.
“All of the teams pick a different group costume and race down the hill dressed up,” Sophia said. “It’s such a fun and joyful way to close out the season.”
Whether dressed as superheroes, animals, or movie characters, racers trade the pressure of competition for pure fun to serve as a reminder of why they ski in the first place.
As captain, Sophia sees herself carrying on a welcoming culture that was passed down to her.
“The upperclassmen were so welcoming to me and my classmates when we joined the team,” she said. “As a captain this year I am hoping to foster the same community for the new members as the captains did for me when I was a freshman.”
Looking ahead, the team has both ambitious goals and simple hopes.
“I hope we qualify for Regionals as we have in the past three years, and maybe even Nationals,” Sophia said. “But most of all, I just want us to all have fun and improve together in my last season.”
For Holy Cross skiers, the winter months don’t just mean cold and snow…they mean carving out friendships, chasing finish lines, and keeping the slopes alive with a competitive spirit.
And while the results are important, what stays with team members is the community they’ve built and the memories they’ve shared.
Featured images courtesy of the Holy Cross Ski Team
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