ANGELS CAMP, CA – Bret Harte is now home to the newest member school competing in the California-Nevada Interscholastic Ski & Snowboard Federation (CNISSF). Joining the “South 1” division, the Bret Harte Ski & Snowboarding Team will compete alongside Amador/Argonaut, El Dorado, Oak Ridge, Ponderosa and Union Mine High Schools at Sierra at Tahoe and their home resort of Bear Valley.
Competing in four categories – men’s giant slalom and slalom ski, women’s giant slalom and slalom ski, men’s snowboard cross, and women’s snowboard cross – student-athletes will hit the slopes in January competing in their first of six races on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort in Twin Bridges, with an anticipated roster of 245 student-athletes. The Team will host the third race at Bear Valley Mountain Resort in Bear Valley on Monday, January 26.
“We have a special niche of students that competitively race in downhill ski and snowboarding. Why not give them the opportunity to compete as Bret Harte students,” shared Brian Barnett, athletic director. “It will be great to see these student-athletes compete and represent their school and community in a new way.”
The District’s Governing Board approved the adoption of the school’s 16th sport – skiing and snowboarding – to the athletic program by unanimous vote on November 3. In 2021, the board added eSports and boys and girls water polo in 2016.
Superintendent Scott Nanik shared, “I am excited for the new Ski & Snowboard Team at Bret Harte. It will embody the best of our students – courage, perseverance, and teamwork against the backdrop of our beautiful mountain environment.” Nanik concluded, “their success will not be measured solely in times or medals, but in the character and discipline they build on the slopes. I look forward to cheering them on as they tackle the new season.”
The team will be led by head coach Nikolai Shawkey, a veteran competitor and ski instructor for the Bear Valley Race Team and board member of the Bear Valley Snowsports Foundation.
Find the inaugural 2025-26 season schedule, visit Bret Harte’s game schedules online site. To learn more about the Bret Harte Ski & Snowboard program, contact Tyra Dragomanovich at tdragomanovich@bhuhsd.k12.ca.us.
The CNISSF was established in 1950 to provide an exceptional alpine experience while adhering to California Interscholastic Federation’s bylaws and United States of American Snowboard and Freeski Association’s rule book. The Federation is comprised of six divisions with over 30 member schools throughout the state. Learn more about the CNISSF at https://sites.google.com/view/cnissf.
The Bret Harte Union High School District is an educational community committed to providing all students a quality education with multiple learning opportunities in a safe and orderly environment fully equipped to teach 21st century skills. As a learning community, we strive to increase student achievement, to be responsive to community needs and to foster accountability for all. For more information, visit www.brethartebullfrogs.org.
