The spirit of competition was soaring as Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club proudly hosted the Larry Johnson Memorial Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Junior Championship Qualifier. On January 9 and 10, the historic slopes of Howelsen Hill became the center of the Nordic world, buzzing with the energy of 80 determined young athletes ready to kick off their competition season.
Athletes traveled from the Park City Ski & Snowboard Club to join our local SSWSC stars, creating a competitive yet camaraderie-filled field. With five age classes represented—from the pint-sized powerhouses in the U10 division all the way up to the seasoned competitors in U20—the talent on display was a testament to the bright future of Nordic sports in the Rocky and Intermountain regions.
The excitement began on Friday evening as the sun dipped behind the mountains and the stadium lights flickered to life. There is something truly magical about night jumping at Howelsen Hill, and the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. Competitors took to the HS20, HS30, and HS45 hills, cutting through the crisp night air. For many of these athletes, it was their first time back on the jump in a competitive setting this winter, and you could feel the anticipation in every landing.
Saturday morning greeted us with quintessential Steamboat “Bluebird” conditions. Under a stunning, clear sky, the competition moved to the HS75, where the athletes showed incredible poise and technical skill.
But jumping was only half the story! The action quickly transitioned to the Nordic Combined cross-country races at the Romick Arena. The transition from the explosive power of jumping to the grueling endurance of the ski race is what makes Nordic Combined so unique, and our athletes handled the challenge with grit and determination. Whether they were sprinting for the finish line or cheering on their teammates from the sidelines, the sense of community was palpable.
To wrap up a fantastic weekend, everyone gathered in Olympian Hall for a potluck awards ceremony. It was the perfect way to celebrate the hard work of the athletes, coaches, and families. Sharing a meal in a room lined with the history of Steamboat’s legendary Olympians served as a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
Pulling off an event of this scale is no small feat, especially given the challenging early winter conditions we’ve faced. A massive “Hats Off” goes to the dedicated City & SSWSC staff and volunteers. Your tireless work behind the scenes ensured the hills were safe, the tracks were fast, and the event ran like clockwork.
This weekend was just the beginning! As the first of two Junior Championship qualifiers, the momentum is building. We are already looking forward to seeing these athletes back in action for the second qualifier at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on January 30th and 31st.
Congratulations to all our competitors! To see how everyone placed and to relive the excitement, you can find the full results in the public folder.
Go SSWSC!
PHOTOS by Todd Wilson
- U10 NC athletes charge up a hill during the Larry Johnson Memorial on Saturday, January 10.
- Ella Wilson of the SSWSC soars through the air during the HS 75 Larry Johnson Memorial on Saturday, January 10.
- Beautiful Howelsen Hill under the lights.
- Flynn Oslowski, SSWSC NC U14 athlete powers over a hill during the Larry Johnson Memorial on January 10.
