Nordic Skiing Takes Center Stage as Casper Invitational Moves Up a Week

An adjustment has been made to the Nordic skiing season for Wyoming prep athletes. Next week’s races on Casper Mountain were moved up to this weekend. Thus, cross-country skiers will compete for a second straight week, while the Alpine or downhill skiing season will have to wait a little longer. The Casper Invitational will be a combined high school and junior national qualifying race. Due to low snow levels, both days of skiing will be on the same course and feature two laps.

WYOPREPS WEEK 4 SKIING SCHEDULE 2026

Friday will be a 5km classic race with interval starts. The high school division will start at 1 p.m. Saturday is a 5km skate or freestyle race. High schoolers begin at 11 a.m. Both days will have the varsity boys’ skiing first, followed by the varsity girls. These two races also have JNQ divisions for skiers trying to qualify for the High Plains Nordic junior national team that will compete at the Junior National Championships in March in Wisconsin.

The schools competing this weekend are Casper Kelly Walsh, Casper Natrona County, Cody, Jackson, Lander, Laramie, Pinedale, and Sheridan.

FRIDAY HS CLASSIC RACE RESULTS

Darren Binning from Pinedale won the boys' race at 12:52.5. Fisher Mills from Pinedale placed second, followed by Logan Milek from Lander. Jackson's Tirzah Ellis captured the girls' race at 17:02.6. Jovei Mongar of Natrona County finished second, and Kylie Fletcher of Jackson placed third.

SATURDAY HS FREESTYLE RACE RESULTS

Darin Binning from Pinedale completed the weekend sweep in the high school races by winning the skate race with a time of 11:34.2. Jackson's Parker Gotham finished 2nd, followed by Logan Milek of Lander in 3rd. Tirzah Ellis of Jackson did the same in the girls' high school division, a weekend sweep. She won the 5km skate race with a time of 14:33.0. Dorothy Jensen from Lander placed 2nd, and Jovei Mongar of NC took 3rd.

Read More Skiing News from WyoPreps

2026 Pinedale Nordic Skiing Invitational Results

Start Of 2026 Nordic Skiing Season Postponed

Nominate A Skier for WyoPreps Athlete of the Week Honor

2025 Nordic Skiing State Championship Recap

2025 Wyoming HS Nordic Skiing State Championship Preview

2025 Alpine Skiing State Championship Recap

2025 Wyoming HS Alpine Skiing State Championship Preview

Get our free mobile app

Alpine Skiing Delayed

The 2026 downhill skiing season was slated to start this week at Hogadon Basin Ski Area on Casper Mountain, but those races, hosted by Kelly Walsh, are postponed to February 5 and 6, 2026. Laramie is scheduled to host the season-opening races on January 23 and 24, 2026.