Joonas Rasanen

Biography

Joonas Rasanen is set for his fifth season as the Otto Tschudi Alpine Skiing Head Coach at the University of Denver in winter 2026 after being hired to the position on June 17, 2021. In addition to his role at DU, Rasanen is the President of the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association, the conference the Pioneers compete in. Rasanen, 37, has helped the Pioneers to top-four finishes in each of the four NCAA Championships, including three in the top three. Since taking over prior to the start the 2022 season, alpine skiers have recorded 27 individual victories, three individual NCAA Championships and 24 All-American awards. In 2025, Rasanen guided senior Sara Rask to the national title sweep as the women's alpine senior won both slalom and giant slalom at the NCAA Championships. Rask won eight races throughout the collegiate season, including sweeping the seven slalom events. Additionally, Mia Hunt, Thomas Hoffman and Pietro Motterlini joined Rask in earning All-American awards.