Colorado University Athletics
Baangman’s Final Season Goals: Find Joy And Peak At NCAAs
January 23, 2026 | Skiing
BOULDER – Tilde Baangman can measure the start of her season in podiums and places, but she chooses to measure it in something simpler: joy.
"When I think about the season so far, it is with a big smile and a warm feeling," Baangman said. "I have had so much fun being back at the race venue with my teammates, and I'm enjoying every moment of it."
That joy has translated into results. The University of Colorado Nordic skier opened her final collegiate season with a string of podium finishes, including three at Lake Placid during a week that doubled as U.S. Nationals and an Olympic qualifier for American athletes. The field was deep, the stakes were high, and Baangman proved she belonged in the front group.
"Getting three podiums was encouraging," Baangman said, "But more than anything it showed that my base is solid and that the work I've put in is translating into consistent skiing."
Baangman's start is even more meaningful considering she spent much of last year managing a shoulder issue. This season, with uninterrupted training and a clear target, she's building toward March.
"I'm trying to not peak too early in the season as my main focus this year is NCAA," Baangman said. "That's everything I am building toward."
Finding Her Place at Colorado
Baangman arrived at Colorado last season after transferring from Montana State, and she knew immediately she had found the right fit.
"CU felt like the right next step because of the people and the environment," Baangman said. "The coaches, Jana and Austin, are incredible support and have so much knowledge and competence. They create an environment where we can be the best versions of ourselves as student-athletes."
The support extended beyond the ski trails.
"The overall support system within CU Boulder Athletics is amazing, from academic coordinators to nutrition, career support, and physical therapists," Baangman said. Add in Boulder's training playground—mountains, trails, and a community that embraces endurance sports—and it became the perfect home for her final chapter of college skiing.
Legacy and Independence
If Baangman's last name sounds familiar in Boulder, it's because her older sister skied for CU before her.
"My sister is my best friend in life, and to this day she's still my best training partner," Baangman said.
Her sister has since moved back to Sweden for medical school while racing professionally in marathon skiing—she recently placed fourth in the 50-kilometer La Diagonela—and remains a constant source of inspiration.
At the same time, Baangman has made it clear that her path is her own.
"While her experience at CU definitely inspired me to choose college skiing, my path here is very much my own," Baangman said. "Even though our lives might look similar from an outside perspective in terms of skiing and academics, we approach things differently, and I'm shaping my own college experience and identity as an athlete and student."
Racing for Something Bigger
What has defined Baangman's time at CU isn't just her results—it's the team culture that surrounds them.
"Nordic skiing is a very individual sport, but in college it is quite the opposite," Baangman said. "That team aspect has really brought the joy of skiing back to me over the past four years. It's a team-oriented environment where we win together and lose together."
The team-scoring format of NCAA skiing has given her a new sense of purpose on race days.
"On tough days, I'm racing for more than just myself, I'm trying to score as many points as possible for my team," Baangman said. "And celebrate what can be celebrated. If I have a rough day, chances are one of my teammates has a great one, and focusing on their success helps me reset and bounce back."
That perspective has helped fuel a remarkable streak of consistency. Baangman has finished inside the top 10 in nearly every collegiate race of her career—a testament, she said, to trusting the process and the people around her.
"In college skiing, we face challenges together, and I think a big part of my consistency comes from being surrounded by people who support the entire team," Baangman said. "It's never just me racing."
One More Run
As she enters the final months of her collegiate career, Baangman's goals are clear.
"NCAA!!! Also to just enjoy my last season of racing," Baangman said.
She's already looking ahead to adventures beyond college skiing—she's signed up for the Broken Arrow mountain marathon in California this June—but for now, her focus is on one last run with the Buffs.
When asked to describe this Colorado team in one word, she didn't hesitate.
"Connected," Baangman said. "We support one another on and off the trails, and that connection creates a strong team atmosphere."
In a sport defined by individual effort, Baangman has found her strength in something collective. Consistency, she's learned, isn't just about what happens between the start and finish lines—it's about the people who stand beside you, the trust you build, and the joy that keeps you coming back.
"When I think about the season so far, it is with a big smile and a warm feeling," Baangman said. "I have had so much fun being back at the race venue with my teammates, and I'm enjoying every moment of it."
That joy has translated into results. The University of Colorado Nordic skier opened her final collegiate season with a string of podium finishes, including three at Lake Placid during a week that doubled as U.S. Nationals and an Olympic qualifier for American athletes. The field was deep, the stakes were high, and Baangman proved she belonged in the front group.
"Getting three podiums was encouraging," Baangman said, "But more than anything it showed that my base is solid and that the work I've put in is translating into consistent skiing."
Baangman's start is even more meaningful considering she spent much of last year managing a shoulder issue. This season, with uninterrupted training and a clear target, she's building toward March.
"I'm trying to not peak too early in the season as my main focus this year is NCAA," Baangman said. "That's everything I am building toward."
Finding Her Place at Colorado
Baangman arrived at Colorado last season after transferring from Montana State, and she knew immediately she had found the right fit.
"CU felt like the right next step because of the people and the environment," Baangman said. "The coaches, Jana and Austin, are incredible support and have so much knowledge and competence. They create an environment where we can be the best versions of ourselves as student-athletes."
The support extended beyond the ski trails.
"The overall support system within CU Boulder Athletics is amazing, from academic coordinators to nutrition, career support, and physical therapists," Baangman said. Add in Boulder's training playground—mountains, trails, and a community that embraces endurance sports—and it became the perfect home for her final chapter of college skiing.
Legacy and Independence
If Baangman's last name sounds familiar in Boulder, it's because her older sister skied for CU before her.
"My sister is my best friend in life, and to this day she's still my best training partner," Baangman said.
Her sister has since moved back to Sweden for medical school while racing professionally in marathon skiing—she recently placed fourth in the 50-kilometer La Diagonela—and remains a constant source of inspiration.
At the same time, Baangman has made it clear that her path is her own.
"While her experience at CU definitely inspired me to choose college skiing, my path here is very much my own," Baangman said. "Even though our lives might look similar from an outside perspective in terms of skiing and academics, we approach things differently, and I'm shaping my own college experience and identity as an athlete and student."
Racing for Something Bigger
What has defined Baangman's time at CU isn't just her results—it's the team culture that surrounds them.
"Nordic skiing is a very individual sport, but in college it is quite the opposite," Baangman said. "That team aspect has really brought the joy of skiing back to me over the past four years. It's a team-oriented environment where we win together and lose together."
The team-scoring format of NCAA skiing has given her a new sense of purpose on race days.
"On tough days, I'm racing for more than just myself, I'm trying to score as many points as possible for my team," Baangman said. "And celebrate what can be celebrated. If I have a rough day, chances are one of my teammates has a great one, and focusing on their success helps me reset and bounce back."
That perspective has helped fuel a remarkable streak of consistency. Baangman has finished inside the top 10 in nearly every collegiate race of her career—a testament, she said, to trusting the process and the people around her.
"In college skiing, we face challenges together, and I think a big part of my consistency comes from being surrounded by people who support the entire team," Baangman said. "It's never just me racing."
One More Run
As she enters the final months of her collegiate career, Baangman's goals are clear.
"NCAA!!! Also to just enjoy my last season of racing," Baangman said.
She's already looking ahead to adventures beyond college skiing—she's signed up for the Broken Arrow mountain marathon in California this June—but for now, her focus is on one last run with the Buffs.
When asked to describe this Colorado team in one word, she didn't hesitate.
"Connected," Baangman said. "We support one another on and off the trails, and that connection creates a strong team atmosphere."
In a sport defined by individual effort, Baangman has found her strength in something collective. Consistency, she's learned, isn't just about what happens between the start and finish lines—it's about the people who stand beside you, the trust you build, and the joy that keeps you coming back.
Players Mentioned
NORDIC
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