The voice on the loudspeaker cuts through the cold air as skiers push out of the start gate, carving tight arcs through a course lined with students in extravagant après-ski outfits. The snow at the base is packed down and crunches under boots, despite the six inches of fresh powder from the night before. Parents, alumni, professors and students come together at the Snowbowl to celebrate one of the most notable events of the year, cheering for Middlebury around the base of the mountain and along the sideline fencing.
The Middlebury Winter Carnival is not just a ski race weekend. It is a rare moment when the campus turns fully toward the mountain, with everyone celebrating ski and après ski culture. As the oldest winter carnival in the country, this event is a Middlebury signature.
Middlebury’s alpine team performed well on Saturday, clinching two wins out of four races. Kjersti Moritz ’28 won the women's giant slalom (GS) in 1:59:68, earning the maximum 50 Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) points for the Panthers.
Following Moritz was Kaite Fynn ’26, who finished sixth, and Sophia Palmquist ’29, who trailed her in seventh, giving Middlebury three top-seven finishes in the GS. In the women’s slalom, Reagan Harrison ’29 tied with Palmquist for fifth in 1:39.70, adding 37 points each for Midd. To strengthen the team score, Sophia Tozzi ’26 finished in 11th, tallying another 29 points.
The men’s slalom was decisive. Thomas Carnahan ’29 captured the win in 1:38.63. Starting 11th, he finished the race almost a full second in front of the first-seeded Dartmouth skier.
“Although crossing the finish line in first place was an incredible feeling, seeing my team run up to me made it that much more special,” Carnahan said. “From the early morning training sessions to the many hours we spent in the gym before winter, I have never seen a group of people work so hard collectively while also caring so deeply about each individual on the team.”
Carnahan’s impressive win was reinforced by Sebastian Segre ’26 in eighth, Julian Arthur ’29 in ninth, and Milan Novak ’28 in 11th, giving Middlebury a major boost in points. In the men's giant slalom, Nicholas Unkovskoy ’27 placed fifth, with Julian Arthur finishing ninth and Toby Jennings ’28 in 10th.
The home carnival also served as the EISA Championship, and final scores were determined by combining alpine and Nordic performances over Friday and Saturday. With the help of Alpine victories and podium finishes, Middlebury finished second with 808.5 points. Dartmouth College took the crown with 982.5 points, and with UVM in third, the 2026 podium mirrored that of last year’s carnival.
The competition of the Middlebury Carnival may take place in the mountains but the overall carnival experience extends beyond. Although it may have been cold on Saturday morning, the true carnival enthusiasts gathered early among a sea of fur hats and neon ski suits outside the Townhouses, celebrating in igloos before heading to the Snowbowl.
Each year, the lawn outside the Townhouses becomes a sea of fur hats, neon ski suits, beanies, quirky sunglasses and bell-bottom ski pants.
“Seeing everyone in colorful ski outfits celebrating skiing and winter is a staple of being a student at Middlebury,” Henry Putnam ’28 said.
Students also participated in the annual ice sculpting competition and attended the annual Winter Bash, featuring performances by DJ A-Trak and dance troupes RIDDIM and Evolution in the Nelson Recreation Center.
“Winter Carnival is something everyone looks forward to in the middle of the long Vermont winter,” Sam Stephens ’28 said. "It's one of those weekends that makes you feel so grateful for the community here.”
“Winter carnival is one of those few highly anticipated campus events that brings everyone together,” Namrita Ghani ’28 added.
The weekend was not without its hiccups, however. In previous years, students could drive to and park at the Snowbowl. This year, to reduce congestion, parking at the Bowl was limited, and the school organized shuttle buses to transport students to and from the mountain. Yet three buses — especially when one breaks down on the way to Hancock — was ultimately a conservative number for the hundreds of students trying to make it to the bowl.
After a weekend of spirited celebration, quiet and focus return to Middlebury as week three of the spring semester starts. Baby febs must now realize that Carnival weekend is, unfortunately, not representative of every weekend at Midd. Sunday is spent at the Davis Family Library, and sleep schedules are regulated once more. As campus readjusts, the lingering feeling of winter celebrations and school spirit reinforces the sentiment that Middlebury’s collective identity is carved as much into the slopes above town as into the classrooms below.
