Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Shampeny Named ISCA Alpine Coach of the Year
6/18/2026 12:59:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing
BOZEMAN, Mont. - After leading the Bobcats to one of their best seasons in program history, Montana State's head Alpine coach Kris Shampeny has been named the 2026 Alpine Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Ski Coaches Association.
Shampeny was recognized through a combination of peer voting and team improvement at the NCAA Skiing Championships compared to the previous season, according to the ISCA.
Under Shampeny's direction, Montana State made the largest improvement among alpine programs at the 2026 NCAA Championships. In 2026, the Bobcats scored 235.5 alpine points to finish third, an increase of 109.5 points from the 126-point performance in the previous season.
In just his fourth season in Bozeman, Shampeny spearheaded the collegiate training of Canadian Olympian and two-time 2026 NCAA Champion Justine Lamontagne, who became just the seventh woman in history to win the slalom and grand slalom titles in the same year.
"Kris had such a big impact as a coach for our entire team," Lamontagne said. "He not only supported us in skiing, but also in academics and in life." He supported and encouraged us to reach our goals on and off the hill, created such a positive environment for us to train and compete in, and is always proud to be a Bobcat."
Lamontagne's success headlined an historic season, which concluded with a fourth-place overall finish for the Montana State squad, matching the highest postseason result in program history.
Shampeny and the Bobcats opened this year's championship race with five of six alpine competitors placing in the top 20 of the giant slalom. The slalom races proved to be even more successful, with four MSU skiers placing in the top 10.
The women of Bozeman scored 91.5 points to finish atop the slalom standings and mark the first time the Bobcats have won an event at the NCAA championships. Combined with the men, the alpine team produced 126 points, trailing Colorado by just one point for the highest slalom score.
All three Bobcat women coached by Shampeny at the NCAA Championships earned All-America honors, with Lamontagne and Tea Kiesel on the first team and Lily Sewell earning second-team recognition. Torius Hepsoe earned second-team honors as well, placing ninth in the men's slalom.
"For me personally, it began in recruiting and continued in having him as a coach for four years," Lamontagne said. "He made a big impact on my racing career and led me to win two national championships this year. I couldn't be more grateful to have done it with Kris as my coach, and I'm so glad I committed and skied here at Montana State."
A Montana State alumnus, Shampeny exemplifies Bobcat success both as a coach and as a member of the community. He is the first MSU coach to receive national coaching honors since 2016, and one of just four coaches to receive the honor in program history. Shampeny and the Bobcats await their return to the hill, where they will look to build upon a successful season and continue the legacy of MSU skiing in 2027.
Shampeny was recognized through a combination of peer voting and team improvement at the NCAA Skiing Championships compared to the previous season, according to the ISCA.
Under Shampeny's direction, Montana State made the largest improvement among alpine programs at the 2026 NCAA Championships. In 2026, the Bobcats scored 235.5 alpine points to finish third, an increase of 109.5 points from the 126-point performance in the previous season.
In just his fourth season in Bozeman, Shampeny spearheaded the collegiate training of Canadian Olympian and two-time 2026 NCAA Champion Justine Lamontagne, who became just the seventh woman in history to win the slalom and grand slalom titles in the same year.
"Kris had such a big impact as a coach for our entire team," Lamontagne said. "He not only supported us in skiing, but also in academics and in life." He supported and encouraged us to reach our goals on and off the hill, created such a positive environment for us to train and compete in, and is always proud to be a Bobcat."
Lamontagne's success headlined an historic season, which concluded with a fourth-place overall finish for the Montana State squad, matching the highest postseason result in program history.
Shampeny and the Bobcats opened this year's championship race with five of six alpine competitors placing in the top 20 of the giant slalom. The slalom races proved to be even more successful, with four MSU skiers placing in the top 10.
The women of Bozeman scored 91.5 points to finish atop the slalom standings and mark the first time the Bobcats have won an event at the NCAA championships. Combined with the men, the alpine team produced 126 points, trailing Colorado by just one point for the highest slalom score.
All three Bobcat women coached by Shampeny at the NCAA Championships earned All-America honors, with Lamontagne and Tea Kiesel on the first team and Lily Sewell earning second-team recognition. Torius Hepsoe earned second-team honors as well, placing ninth in the men's slalom.
"For me personally, it began in recruiting and continued in having him as a coach for four years," Lamontagne said. "He made a big impact on my racing career and led me to win two national championships this year. I couldn't be more grateful to have done it with Kris as my coach, and I'm so glad I committed and skied here at Montana State."
A Montana State alumnus, Shampeny exemplifies Bobcat success both as a coach and as a member of the community. He is the first MSU coach to receive national coaching honors since 2016, and one of just four coaches to receive the honor in program history. Shampeny and the Bobcats await their return to the hill, where they will look to build upon a successful season and continue the legacy of MSU skiing in 2027.
Players Mentioned
Alpine
/ Men's Skiing
Alpine
/ Women's Skiing
Alpine
/ Women's Skiing
Alpine
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