Biathlon is a sport that combines the endurance of cross country skiing with precision small-bore rifle marksmanship. The combination of skiing and shooting poses a very demanding challenge for an athlete. Cross country ski racing requires intense, full-on physical exertion, whereas shooting demands unparalleled control, stability and focus.
With only a few colleges in the United States offering biathlon programs, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to learn, practice, and compete in this unique sport while you study at Colorado Mesa University. Whether you are a seasoned biathlete or a newcomer to the sport, our club offers a welcoming and inclusive community that will help you reach your full potential.
Join us and experience the rush of running or biking and shooting in the summer and skiing and shooting in the winter on the trails and biathlon ranges in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
START OF A PROGRAM
We are in the beginning stages of forming biathlon program and 2023/24 will be our first season. If you are looking for a thrilling and challenging sport while studying at CMU, look no further. With only a few colleges in the entire United States offering biathlon programs, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to learn, practice, and compete in this unique sport. Whether you are a seasoned biathlete or a newcomer to the sport, our club offers a welcoming and inclusive community that will help you reach your potential. Join us and experience the rush of skiing and shooting in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
Training Facilities. While there is no winter biathlon range in close proximity to CMU campus, we have easy access to one of the finest shooting ranges with a summer biathlon setup and to quality cross country ski trails atop Grand Mesa with one of the longest ski seasons in the U.S. Practice sessions and development camps would take place at various biathlon and Nordic centers:
- Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (CSEC), Palisade, Colorado, 20 minutes from CMU campus. This summer range has a complete biathlon setup with Kurvinen biathlon target system and mountain bike and trail run trails.
- YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby, Colorado. Snow Mountain Ranch is located 3.5 hours from Grand Junction and is home to Colorado Biathlon Club.
- Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Midway, Utah. Located 4.5 hours from Grand Junction, 50 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Soldier Hollow was home to 2002 Winter Olympics and is the largest biathlon venue in the U.S.
- Rendezvous Ski Trails, West Yellowstone, Montana. Located 9 hours from Grand Junction, it is a premier cross-country skiing and biathlon venues. CMU biathletes and cross country ski athletes would train and compete and the venue during a week-long development camp during the Thanksgiving week in November.
- Casper Mountain Biathlon Club (CMBC), Casper, Wyoming. CMBC is home to US Biathlon Nationals and is located 6 hours from Grand Junction.
Rifles and Ammunition. Athletes who do not have biathlon rifles will be provided with biathlon program rifles (Anschütz and Lost Nation R&D) as well as SK .22 ammunition for training and competitions.
Competition. CMU biathletes will be competing under the newly recognized college league under US Biathlon using U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) eligibility criteria. The US Biathlon Collegiate National Championships will be held in March 2024 in Fort Kent, Maine.
Costs. Colorado Mesa University and the team cover nearly 100% of the participation costs, to include:
- Rifles
- Ammunition
- Coaching
- Travel to all in-state and out-of-state events
- Team travel for training
- Lodging for all events
- Meals and miscellaneous expenses at all events
- Race registration fees, to include the Nationals
- Training camps
- Trail passes
Student athletes pay the club dues of $500 per season to help offset travel, equipment and facility fee expenses.
Summer biathlon competition at Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado.