Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Add Twin Standouts Britta and Niki Johnson to Women’s Nordic Ski Team
January 27, 2026 | Skiing
BOULDER – The Colorado women's Nordic team will add a unique—and highly accomplished—pair to its roster next season, welcoming twins Britta and Niki Johnson for the 2026-27 campaign.
Hailing from Tahoe City, California, the Johnson twins have developed side by side into two of the top junior Nordic skiers in the United States. Both graduates of North Tahoe High School, they trained with Tahoe Endurance under coaches Julien Bordes, Etienne Bordes and Quinn Lehmkuhl, the latter a former CU skier from 2018–21. Both also competed for the National Training Group (NTG) in 2024 as part of the U.S. National Team pathway.
While their paths have closely mirrored each other, each brings her own competitive highlights, personality and ambitions to Boulder.
Britta Johnson
Britta arrives in Boulder after a standout junior career highlighted by a third-place finish at the 2026 U.S. Nationals and multiple podium performances at Junior Nationals. She consistently challenged at the front of Super Qualifiers, earning wins and top-five finishes across several seasons, and helped secure a silver medal in the relay at Junior Nationals.
Internationally, Britta represented the United States at the 2026 Junior World Championships and served as a Scando Cup Alternate during the 2024–25 season. Off the snow, she is a Distinguished Scholar and NIAA Academic All-State honoree.
A standout cross country runner, Britta helped lead North Tahoe to four state championships while also winning three individual state titles.
After college, Britta hopes "to keep skiing and go awesome places." Her hobbies include downhill and backcountry skiing, climbing, river surfing and spikeball, where she notes one thing most people don't know about her: she's "cracked at spikeball."
Niki Johnson
Niki brings an equally impressive resume, highlighted by a Junior National championship in 2024, a top-10 finish at the 2026 U.S. Nationals, and consistent podium and top-five finishes at Junior Nationals and Super JNQs. She also gained valuable international experience racing in Norway as part of the Scando Cup team during the 2024–25 season.
Like her sister, Niki has been part of the NTG pipeline, pairing elite-level racing with academic excellence, earning academic honors throughout all four years of high school.
In cross country running, Niki was a key contributor to four North Tahoe state championships and finished as the state runner-up three times individually.
Looking ahead, Niki says her goals after college are to "see where life takes me." Her hobbies include downhill and backcountry skiing, climbing, river surfing, and mountain biking. One thing few people know about her: she lived in Austria for two years.
Community & Why Colorado
Both have been active in their community, volunteering with the Humane Society of Tahoe Truckee and the Shane McConkey Foundation.
Their decision to choose Colorado was rooted in both environment and culture.
"There are a bunch of different trails surrounding the campus, and many outdoor activities to choose from," Britta said. "The ski team is amazing and I love the community that they have!"
"I choose Colorado because it has great athletic facilities, an amazing campus and a fun team!" Niki added.
The two will join the Buffs ahead of the Fall 2026 semester and compete as freshmen for the 2027 collegiate ski season.
Hailing from Tahoe City, California, the Johnson twins have developed side by side into two of the top junior Nordic skiers in the United States. Both graduates of North Tahoe High School, they trained with Tahoe Endurance under coaches Julien Bordes, Etienne Bordes and Quinn Lehmkuhl, the latter a former CU skier from 2018–21. Both also competed for the National Training Group (NTG) in 2024 as part of the U.S. National Team pathway.
While their paths have closely mirrored each other, each brings her own competitive highlights, personality and ambitions to Boulder.
Britta Johnson
Britta arrives in Boulder after a standout junior career highlighted by a third-place finish at the 2026 U.S. Nationals and multiple podium performances at Junior Nationals. She consistently challenged at the front of Super Qualifiers, earning wins and top-five finishes across several seasons, and helped secure a silver medal in the relay at Junior Nationals.
Internationally, Britta represented the United States at the 2026 Junior World Championships and served as a Scando Cup Alternate during the 2024–25 season. Off the snow, she is a Distinguished Scholar and NIAA Academic All-State honoree.
A standout cross country runner, Britta helped lead North Tahoe to four state championships while also winning three individual state titles.
After college, Britta hopes "to keep skiing and go awesome places." Her hobbies include downhill and backcountry skiing, climbing, river surfing and spikeball, where she notes one thing most people don't know about her: she's "cracked at spikeball."
Niki Johnson
Niki brings an equally impressive resume, highlighted by a Junior National championship in 2024, a top-10 finish at the 2026 U.S. Nationals, and consistent podium and top-five finishes at Junior Nationals and Super JNQs. She also gained valuable international experience racing in Norway as part of the Scando Cup team during the 2024–25 season.
Like her sister, Niki has been part of the NTG pipeline, pairing elite-level racing with academic excellence, earning academic honors throughout all four years of high school.
In cross country running, Niki was a key contributor to four North Tahoe state championships and finished as the state runner-up three times individually.
Looking ahead, Niki says her goals after college are to "see where life takes me." Her hobbies include downhill and backcountry skiing, climbing, river surfing, and mountain biking. One thing few people know about her: she lived in Austria for two years.
Community & Why Colorado
Both have been active in their community, volunteering with the Humane Society of Tahoe Truckee and the Shane McConkey Foundation.
Their decision to choose Colorado was rooted in both environment and culture.
"There are a bunch of different trails surrounding the campus, and many outdoor activities to choose from," Britta said. "The ski team is amazing and I love the community that they have!"
"I choose Colorado because it has great athletic facilities, an amazing campus and a fun team!" Niki added.
The two will join the Buffs ahead of the Fall 2026 semester and compete as freshmen for the 2027 collegiate ski season.
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