Cody, Jackson Shine as Laramie Invitational Opens Delayed Alpine Season

Bright skies and firm snow at Snowy Range Ski and Recreation Area set the stage for a long-awaited return to high school alpine racing when the Laramie Invitational opened the delayed downhill season on Jan. 24. The two-day meet drew more than 130 competitors from multiple schools for a slalom on Friday and a giant slalom on Saturday, and produced clear team and individual standouts that Albany County residents will notice in the weeks ahead.

Cody claimed the girls’ team slalom championship, while Jackson skiers dominated the boys’ results across both disciplines. Laramie athletes also placed in several events, adding local podiums to the meet's broader competitive mix. Organizers logged run times and final standings for each event as teams worked through the first formal competition of the winter campaign.

For Laramie and Albany County, the Invitational mattered beyond medals. The delay to the season has compressed training schedules, altered travel plans and stretched school athletic resources; getting a successful meet on the calendar restored competitive rhythm for athletes and provided a checkpoint for coaches assessing fitness, equipment and readiness. Strong performances by Cody and Jackson will shape regional rankings and morale as schools plan entries for upcoming district and state qualifying races.

The event also highlighted persistent equity and public health considerations. High school ski programs often require travel, specialized gear and access to mountain facilities, creating barriers for families with limited means. Delayed scheduling can exacerbate those gaps by shortening practice windows and increasing costs for extra training days. Local school boards and booster groups face decisions about funding and transportation that directly affect whether students can participate safely and consistently.

Athlete health and safety remain central as the season progresses. Alpine racing carries inherent injury risks, and compressed seasons heighten demands on conditioning and recovery. Coaches and school athletic trainers in Albany County must balance competitive goals with concussion protocols, injury prevention measures and equitable access to medical oversight. Ensuring that every skater has appropriate helmets, bindings and supervised warmups reduces community health burdens and supports longevity in the sport.

As teams leave Snowy Range, focus shifts to building on results and addressing logistical hurdles exposed by the delayed opener. Cody and Jackson depart with momentum, and Laramie athletes have tangible performances to benchmark. For county residents, the Invitational signals that high school alpine racing is back in earnest, bringing economic activity to mountain businesses, renewed youth opportunities and policy questions about how best to keep the sport safe and accessible for all students this season.