FRISCO, Colo. – The Denver Pioneers ski team hosts the cross country portion of its 2026 DU Invitational on Saturday and Sunday morning at the Frisco Nordic Center in Summit County.
The Nordic races begin with the exciting mass start 10-kilometer classical race on
Saturday at 10 a.m. MT and conclude on
Sunday at 9 a.m. MT with the 7.5K freestyle interval start. The events are free and fans are encouraged to come out and bring their cowbells to support the Pioneers and the other collegiate skiers from the NCAA's Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association, which includes the University of Colorado, defending national champion Utah, Montana State, Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks.
While space along much of the course is limited, fans can get a good view of the race around the start and finish areas near the ballfield as the skiers will complete three laps each race.
Parking is available for free in the lots around the Frisco Nordic Center, though some lots will be reserved for team personnel and equipment.
Team Summit is joining Denver in putting on the Nordic meet, which is also serving as a junior national qualifier for area skiers. It was announced on Jan. 29 that the races were moved from its usual location at Maloit Park in Minturn to Frisco due to snow conditions at the course in the Vail Valley. While the Frisco course is a bit flatter than Maloit Park, the site's elevation at above 9,000 feet will make it challenging for the athletes as its more than 1,000 feet higher than the one in Minturn.
DU last raced at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center for the Utah Invitational on Jan. 24-25 and placed fourth as a team in those events. The Pios combined for six top-10 finishes in the four races in Utah, with junior
Maja Moland placing eighth in both the 15K classic and 7.5K freestyle for the women and freshman
Yannick Zellweger earning his first career top 10 in the men's skate.
Denver is in second place at its own DU Invitational with 316 points at the conclusion of the alpine races at Loveland Ski Area and Aspen Highlands on Jan. 12-14. The Pioneers are well within striking distance of the lead as they trail CU by just 37 points while also having a 31.5-point advantage over third-place Utah.
All of RMISA Nordic squads will stay in Colorado for the week after the race, as the CU Invitational wraps up with its cross country events on Feb. 13-14 at Howelsen Hill Ski Area in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Live results from this weekend should be available at
https://zone4.ca/event/2026/7BMaGz/.
DENVER INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE
Saturday, Feb. 7
10K Classic (Mass Start)
10:00 a.m. MT – Women
10:45 a.m. MT – Men
Approx. 11:45 a.m. MT – Awards
Sunday, Feb. 8
7.5K Freestyle (Interval Start)
9:00 a.m. MT – Men
10 a.m. MT – Women
Approx. 11 a.m. MT – Awards
Location
Frisco Nordic Center
616 Recreation Way
Frisco, CO 80443
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