Rylan Birch is a senior at Colorado Mesa University, majoring in Outdoor Recreation Industry Studies and set to graduate in fall 2027. Born and raised in Grand Junction, he comes from a strong mountain biking background, having raced collegiately at Colorado School of Mines before transitioning to cross country skiing last season.
Rylan brings that endurance and technical foundation into skiing, along with a deep connection to the outdoors. When he’s not training, he spends his time exploring the desert and high country and coaching local high school athletes with Grand Valley Youth Cycling. He’s grateful to be part of the CMU Cross Country Ski Team and values the support, culture, and camaraderie of the group.
Rylan had truly an impressive development story of the 2025–26 season. Coming into the summer of 2025 as a complete beginner on skis, he made enormous progress in a very short time through consistency, work ethic, and a strong endurance background. Week by week, he translated his fitness and athletic instincts into solid ski skills, quickly becoming a competitive part of the team. By the end of the season, the jump in his skiing, from first-time skier to holding his own in races, was nothing short of remarkable and a testament to how much focused training and commitment can accomplish.
