A History of Champions

In 1953, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) sanctioned Alpine Skiing as an official sport in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, sponsoring a Regional event at Sugar Loaf near Cedar, while a second Regional was held in Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula. As skiing grew in popularity statewide, the Petoskey Ski Team officially began in 1956 with just six members, training at Walloon Ski Hills, with nearby Nub’s Nob opening shortly thereafter in 1959.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Petoskey Ski Team steadily increased in membership and began competing throughout Northern Michigan. By the late 1960s, the program had developed an active and committed roster. When the first MHSAA-sponsored Alpine Skiing State Championship was held in 1975, Petoskey skiing was already positioned to build a lasting championship legacy.

The Girls team captured Petoskey’s first State Championship in 1980 under head coach Larry Gunderson. In 1982, the Boys team claimed their first State title, joining the Girls as State Champions that same year. Since then, Petoskey has become the most decorated alpine skiing program in Michigan history, claiming a combined 37 Team State Championships and 41 Individual State titles (25 Boys and 15 Girls). The Petoskey Boys further etched their place in state history by tying Marquette for the longest championship streak, winning eight consecutive State titles from 2011 through 2018.