Montana State Loses NCAA Skiing Championships

School hopes to host event again after weather-related cancellation.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Montana State University is 'heartbroken' after being forced to cancel the 2026 NCAA Skiing Championships due to extreme winter weather conditions. The event, which was set to take place in Bozeman, Montana, had to be moved to East Lansing, Michigan at the last minute.

Why it matters

The NCAA Skiing Championships are a major event for Montana State, which has a strong skiing program. Losing the opportunity to host the championships is a significant disappointment for the school and the local community.

The details

Unseasonably heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions in Bozeman made the original venue unsafe and unfit to host the championships. With little time to find an alternative location in Montana, the NCAA decided to move the event to Michigan State University in East Lansing.

  • The 2026 NCAA Skiing Championships were originally scheduled to take place in Bozeman, Montana from February 26-29, 2026.
  • Due to the extreme winter weather, the event had to be relocated to East Lansing, Michigan on short notice.

The players

Montana State University

A public research university located in Bozeman, Montana, known for its strong skiing program.

Adam St. Pierre

The Nordic skiing coach at Montana State University.

Michigan State University

A public research university located in East Lansing, Michigan, which hosted the relocated 2026 NCAA Skiing Championships.

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What they’re saying

“It sort of feels like we're cursed. It feels pretty historical in the bad way.”

— Adam St. Pierre, MSU Nordic skiing coach (Independent Record)

What’s next

Montana State University hopes to host the NCAA Skiing Championships again in the future, once the weather conditions in Bozeman are more favorable.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges that extreme weather can pose for major sporting events, and the importance of having flexible contingency plans in place to ensure the safety and success of these competitions.