Sun Valley & Waterville To Host U.S. Alpine & Freestyle Ski National Championships

U.S. Ski & Snowboard confirms a two-year deal with Sun Valley and Waterville Valley resorts to host the U.S. Alpine National Championships and U.S. Freestyle National Championships.

“Sun Valley and Waterville have a proven track record of hosting competitions and we could not be more excited to have them on board for the next two years,” says Eric Webster, Director of Events at U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “U.S. Ski & Snowboard is excited to support the organizing committees and look forward to cheering on the athletes, many of whom are currently on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team rosters.”

Each year, the U.S. National Championships bring together top athletes from each division and a handful of international racers to storied national venues. Both locations have experienced organizing committees and involved ski clubs that have put on large-scale events in the past, including NorAm Championships, World Cups, Junior Nationals and other notable winter competitions.

Alpine Nationals in the West

From April 2-5, Sun Valley Resort will host the 2023 U.S. Alpine Championships with both men and women competing in slalom, giant slalom and super-G events. The course in Sun Valley has a storied history of alpine racing, along with technical and challenging terrain, and will feature local U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes such as Ryder Sarchett, Jack Smith and Dasha Romanov.

“As the first destination ski resort in North America, we are proud to be a location where history and memories are made. We last hosted the U.S. Alpine Championships in 2018, and we are looking forward to welcoming back athletes to our beautiful community, where people have come to enjoy the incredible terrain and experience since 1936," said Sun Valley Resort Director of Marketing & PR Bridget Higgins. "Sun Valley's history is steeped in unifying competition and team camaraderie, and we're looking forward to seeing friendly and healthy competition foster incredible performances. We are so proud that three members of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation are on the team.”

Freestyle Champs in the East

Freestyle skiing lies at the heart of the Waterville Valley and the community of Mount Tecumseh is excited to welcome back world-class freestyle athletes to the “Birthplace of Freestyle Skiing.” Waterville Valley has hosted several competitions in years past and many legendary freestyle skiers have competed on this mountain, namely Wayne Wong, Doug Pfeiffer, Nick Preston and 2x Olympic medalist Hannah Kearney.

“Waterville Valley is home to a thriving community of young athletes, from the BBTS Snowsports Club to the Waterville Valley Academy,” says Sarah Van Kralingen, Marketing and Communications Manager at Waterville Valley Resort. “We hope events like this will inspire and influence aspiring young athletes, demonstrating the phenomenal skill, athleticism and sportsmanship involved in freestyle skiing.”

The moguls and dual moguls events will take place at Waterville Valley Resort on locals’ favorite Lower Bobby’s Run—a steep and technical track perfectly positioned for spectators at the base.

The full schedule of races will be available closer to the event.