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Steamboat Springs — For the first time since 2006, Steamboat Springs will play host to the NCAA Skiing Championships.

The championships begin today with giant slalom races on Mount Werner. Women’s first runs begin at 9 a.m. with second ones to follow at 10:30 a.m. The men’s first run is at 12:30 p.m. with a second one scheduled for 2:15 p.m.

Thursday will be the classic cross-country race at Howelsen Hill, Friday evening is a slalom event at Howelsen and Saturday is the freestyle cross-country event.

The University of Colorado enters the competition as the top-ranked team. The University of Denver is the two-time defending national champion.

Other schools expected to compete for a National Cham­pionship include the University of New Mexico, Dart­mouth College, the Uni­versity of Ver­mont and the University of Utah.

The competition should feature many of the best skiers in the nation. Most, if not all, competed for their national ski teams at some point in their careers.

Each school is allowed to compete with 12 qualified skiers. Some schools, however, won’t have the full complement.

“The goals are the same. They will never change,” Colorado coach Richard Rokos said in a release. “We’re going after the trophy. We don’t ever go into this thinking second place would be a great finish. The goal is to win. Everybody knows it, and everyone will pursue it.”

In the Alpine and Nordic events, the Steamboat venues should present a challenge. Although the Mount Werner course isn’t likely to be the toughest skiers have seen, the slalom course at Howelsen should be.

“It’ll be more challenging terrain with Howelsen,” Denver Alpine coach Andy LeRoy said. “That’ll set the bar pretty high. The best skier will probably win. It’s a true championship venue.”

With the Nordic events, wax could play the biggest role. With snow conditions changing on a daily basis and temperatures doing the same, correct wax selection will be vital.

Also, the courses the Nordic skiers will undertake will feature some of the toughest terrain they have seen all season.

“It will separate the best racers,” said Hennie Kashiwa, Denver’s assistant Nordic coach. “It’s going to be really challenging. There are some big hills. There is a lot of strategy the experienced racers can use to their advantage. It’s going to hurt.”