The St. Lawrence University Alpine ski team is set to open the 2026 EISA carnival season at the Colby College Carnival at Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, this Friday and Saturday, January 16-17.

"We opened up the preseason with a great trip to Nakiska over Thanksgiving," said head coach Willi Steinrotter. "And that has transferred to a successful January camp at Whiteface and some really good results in our early season races."

The 2025 season was highlighted by a trip to the NCAA Championships from Kobe Villeneuve '25, where he placed 19th in the giant slalom and 21st in the slalom. Villeneuve also recorded a second-place podium finish in the giant slalom at Saint Michael's Carnival the first for the Saints since 2019. The men's team recorded five top five finishes throughout last season across multiple carnivals.

On the women's side and returning this season, Emma Gatcliffe skied her career best, as she landed a 24th-place finish at the UNH Carnival-NCAA Eastern Regionals to wrap up their season. Audrey Higgins-Lopez placed 28th at Dartmouth as well. The women recorded a season-best team score of seventh place in the slalom at the Saint Michael's Carnival.

Seniors for the Scarlet and Brown this season include Higgins-Lopez, Mayson Blondek, Norah Dempsey, Alec Nolan, Cordelia Sherwood, and Andrew Van Slyke.

Gatcliffe along with Lauren Haerter, Hazel Howard, Jakob Rogers, Simon Trudeau, and Charlie Welch return for their junior campaigns.

Back for their sophomore season with the Saints are Stefan Brennwald, Anna Dunham, Jacob Foote, Cora Hanson, Colin Kagan, Charlotte Lehr, as well as sophomore newcomer Rowen Norfolk.

With their strong group of returners, the Saints are joined by four new members of the Class of 2029 - Arielle Haccoun Choquette, William Foster, Mollie McTigue, and Kai Subith.

"We've got a nice contingent of veteran skiers, and we've added some strong young skiers that will help make our program stronger," Steinrotter added. "We're ready to get the 2026 season started and excited for the EISA circuit."

The season opens at the Colby this weekend and then the Scarlet and Brown will return to their home base and host the St. Lawrence Carnival on January 22 and 23 at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Following a weekend at home, the Saints will travel to the Dartmouth Skiway for the Dartmouth Carnival to close out January, Stowe Mountain for the UVM Carnival on February 6-7, and Jiminy Peak for the Williams Carnival on February 13-14.
Middlebury will host the NCAA Eastern Regionals on February 20 and 21 at the Middlebury Snowbowl in Middlebury, Vt.

Follow the links to check out the Saints' latest news, roster and schedule for the upcoming season.