2026 Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Distance Championships

High School and Middle School
2026 Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Distance Championships

Presented by the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League

February 7-8, 2026 | Birkie Trailhead, Cable, WI

2026 Updates In Progress

Registration

The 2026 registration process entails four primary steps, as outlined below.

Direct all questions to Ryan Thieme, WNSL Administrator: administrator@wisconsinxcski.org

1. WNSL Roster Formation

This step is to be completed by all WNSL (and guest) athletes/families and coaches.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

To be eligible to participate in WNSL events, including the State Championships, all athletes/families and coaches must complete the online form/waiver: Smartwaiver.

The WNSL will combine the individual submissions of the form/waiver to generate 2026 WNSL team rosters.

Team coaches are to ensure that, by 12/31/2025, all of their coaching staff and athletes are on their team’s roster. Team rosters will be continually updated (as forms/waivers are submitted) and can be viewed here: 2026 WNSL Waiver/Roster Snapshot.

Roster Edits: Submit roster edit requests through the WNSL Roster Edit Request Form.

2. WNSL State Championships Athlete Registration

This step is to be completed by team coaches (and unattached athletes/families).

Deadline: To be announced

In mid-January, coaches (and unattached athletes/families) will be sent a form containing a list of the athletes on their roster. Using this form, coaches (or unattached athletes/families) will choose to register (or not register) each athlete on their roster for races at the Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Championships.

The seeding request process will be integrated into this registration form. This form will also include a process for declaring relay team members for the team sprint event of the State Championships.

3. Venue Waiver Completion

This step is to be completed by athletes, coaches, and others who will potentially be on course at the Sprint Championships.

This waiver linked below must be completed for course entry at Ariens Nordic Center (ANC) as part of the Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Sprint Championships (January 31 – February 1, 2026).

ANC Online Waiver: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/whvbz4wwkyxrgxrwauhcaf/web/

4. Registration Dues Payment

This step is to be completed by team coaches (and unattached athletes/families).

Deadline: To be announced

Each team’s registration dues payment is to be delivered to Rick Hase, WNSL Treasurer: treasurer@wisconsinxcski.org.

More payment instructions to come.

Other Registration Information

Seeding

Athlete seeding will be determined by a combination of objective criteria and coach discretion, as outlined by the WNSL Rules of Competition. Coaches will submit seeding requests as part of the athlete registration form described above.

As appropriate, an appointed WNSL Seeding Committee will review seeding submissions and determine final athlete seeding.

Late Entries

Athletes, teams, guest class, and non-Wisconsin individual athletes must be approved by the WNSL Board of Directors prior to January 23, 2026.

Course Access

All coaches assisting athletes with waxing, race support, or on the race course must have completed a 2026 WNSL waiver and, for the Sprint Championships, an ANC waiver. All coaches on the race course must wear a bib – either a USSS Coach Bib or a bib picked up at the bibs table at the event.

Schedule

Thursday, February 5, 2026

7:00 PM: Preliminary start list for Saturday, including seeding, published for review

Friday, February 6, 2026

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Race course open for inspection and training

7:00 PM: Coaches/Team Captains Meeting (virtual)

Link to be sent

8:00 PM: Final start list for Saturday posted

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Individual Start – Distance Classic

7:00 AM: Course opens for coaches

7:30 AM: Course opens for athletes

7:30 AM: Bib pickup opens

8:50 AM: Course closes

9:00 AM: High School Boys Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

30-second interval start / 3.1k x 2 laps
Check start list for exact start time

10:30 AM: High School Girls Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

30-second interval start / 3.1k x 2 laps
Check start list for exact start time

12:00 PM: Course opens

12:25 PM: Course closes

12:30 PM: Middle School Boys Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

15-second interval start / 3.1k x 1 Lap
Check start list for exact start time

1:30 PM: Middle School Girls Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

15-second interval start / 3.1k x 1 Lap
Check start list for exact start time

NOTE: All awards ceremonies during this weekend will be held as part of Sunday’s events.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change.

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Pursuit – Distance Freestyle

7:00 AM: Course opens for coaches

7:30 AM: Course opens for athletes

7:30 AM: Bib pickup opens

8:50 AM: Course closes

9:00 AM: High School Girls Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
3.1k x 2 Laps

10:30 AM: High School Boys Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
3.1k x 2 Laps

12:00 PM: Course opens

12:15 PM: High School Awards Ceremony

12:55 PM: Course closes

1:00 PM: Middle School Girls Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
3.1k x 1 Lap

2:00 PM: Middle School Boys Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
3.1k x 1 Lap

3:30 PM: Middle School Awards Ceremony

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change.

Course & Stadium Information

The course map for the 2026 Distance Championships is subject to change based on snow/weather conditions.

The only access to the race venue is via Telemark Road.

Spectator Parking will be east of the Great Hall. No parking passes required.

The Great Hall will be open to athletes and spectators for warming, concessions, and apparel sales. No carry-in picnics or hot plates.

No waxing inside!

Wax Facilities & Restrictions

The waxing policies for the State Championships mirror those for Great Lakes JQ events, which allow the use of any non-fluorinated wax brands for glide and grip/kick.

There will be no indoor waxing space at the venue.

A team camp area, with some electrical outlets will be available in the parking lot of the Great Hall, similar to JQ weekends.

Teams should consider bringing their own generators and extension cords.

The WNSL has several great wax sponsors for you to consider this season: Toko, Rex, and Swix. These waxes will be available for sale during both WNSL Championships:

2026 Distance Championships: February 7 – February 8 – New Moon Ski & Bike via their Base Camp Store in Telemark Village: https://www.newmoonski.com

2026 Sprint Championships: January 31 – February 1 – Ariens Nordic Center: https://ariensnordic.com

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to learn more about the event, meet new people, and contribute to a great event for our skiers! Most jobs require no experience.

Open volunteer positions: …

Please direct volunteer inquiries to Ryan Thieme, WNSL Administrator: administrator@wisconsinxcski.org

State Meet Apparel

2026 State Championships apparel will be available for purchase in the Great Hall during the Distance Championships weekend in Cable, WI.

Available apparel will include a variety of shirts and sweatshirts in all sizes.

Race Weekend Correspondence (WhatsApp Group)

Purpose: To communicate updates for the 2026 State Championships events as they arise throughout the event weekends. Updates could potentially include weather delays, etc.

To Join: Link to be posted

Start Lists

To be posted

Results

2026 Results