By Shannon Lukens. All photos courtesy Tania Coffey.
The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic starts Wednesday and runs through Saturday.These are some of the top alpine regional, collegiate, and nationally ranked ski racers from around the U.S. and nearly 20 other nations, competing for prize money. They’ll be racing at Steamboat Resort on Wednesday and Thursday, and then Howelsen Hill on Friday and Saturday.
All photos courtesy Tania Coffey.
Press Release from Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Dec. 16, 2024.
Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic Returns to Steamboat Springs December 18-21, 2024
Night slalom and festival takes place under the lights at Howelsen Hill on Friday, December 20
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic alpine ski races return to Steamboat Springs this week, December 18-21, 2024, featuring top regional, collegiate, and nationally ranked racers from around the U.S. and nearly 20 other nations. This year’s race includes giant slalom races at Steamboat Ski Resort on All Out on Wednesday and Thursday and slalom races at Howelsen Hill on Friday and Saturday. The iconic night slalom and festival, including firepits, hot drinks, entertaining commentary, close-up spectating, and thrilling racing under the lights at Howelsen Hill, will take place on Friday, with women scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. and men start at 6:45 p.m. The high-stakes alpine ski races include $40,000 in prize money—the largest prize purse in event history.
Highlighting the field are the three Grosdidier sisters; two are alumnae, and the youngest is currently skiing with SSWSC. Tatum Grosdidier, U.S. Ski Team Member, Riley Grosdidier, NCAA, Dartmouth College, and Logan Grosdidier U18 FIS skier with SSWSC as well as U.S. Ski Team Members, and many SSWSC alumni NCAA athletes. Spectators are encouraged to bring cowbells and enjoy the show! The event is free and open to the public. Check www.sswsc.org for schedule updates, spectator info, and the daily LIVE STREAM.
Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic Schedule – all times subject to change
Check www.sswsc.org for schedule updates:
Wednesday and Thursday December 18-19: Steamboat Ski Resort All Out – Giant Slalom
RUN 1: Women 8:30 a.m. and Men 10 a.m.
RUN 2: Women 1 p.m. and Men 2:15 p.m.
Friday, December 20: Howelsen Hill – Slalom
Run 1: Women 1:30 p.m. and Men 2:45 p.m.
Run 2: Women 5:30 p.m. and Men 6:45 p.m. (under the lights, night slalom party)
Saturday, December 21: Howelsen Hill – Slalom
Run 1: Women 9 a.m. and Men 12:30 p.m.
Run 2: Women 11 a.m. and Men 2:30 p.m.
SSWSC Alpine Program Director Tyler Shepherd is excited for the racing ahead, “The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic has been a long-time Steamboat tradition, and I’m proud to be a part of such an incredible event here at the club. This race series has become one of the marque FIS alpine events in the entire country. Many athletes have this race on their bucket list to attend, and it is a unique experience to race under the lights at the annual Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic night slalom on December 20. Our SSWSC FIS alpine athletes train year-round and are always excited to compete against such an elite field. I’m excited for a great race series, and it will be fun for our younger athletes and the entire community to be able to see it up close and in person.”
The race honors Murphy Roberts, a former SSWSC athlete who passed away unexpectedly in 2016 at 22. The Roberts family offers a generous scholarship fund in memory of their son. The annual Murphy Roberts Scholarship Award is presented at the awards ceremony following the night races on December 20. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to the athlete who best demonstrates a passion for alpine ski racing while selflessly providing a level of enthusiasm, fun, and team participation, which are the traits exemplified by Murphy.
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ABOUT SSWSC
SSWSC provides sports and youth development programming for over 1,300 athletes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, creating champions on and off the mountain. SSWSC’s goal is to be the best in the country at developing the complete athlete—coaching every individual to achieve the highest level of human potential and athletic performance—resulting in healthy, contributing members of our community and skilled, passionate athletes. SSWSC alumni have become Olympians, NCAA champions, collegiate scholars, CEOs, and leaders. Our programs include alpine, cross country, freestyle, freeskiing, nordic combined, jumping, snowboarding, backcountry education, strength and conditioning, cycling, and skateboarding. SSWSC is one of North America’s oldest and most successful winter sports clubs, serving tens of thousands of athletes for over a century, including 100 Olympians with 179 Olympic appearances and 19 Olympic medals. U.S. Ski & Snowboard honored SSWSC with U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club of the Year in 2023 for the fifth time, more than any other club in North America.