CSE student applying Earth sciences in international alpine luge competitions

Elise Palecek's passion for the outdoors fueled passion for Earth sciences

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (12/02/2025) — From the track to the classroom, University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering undergraduate student Elise Palecek is carving out a unique path—combining passions for Earth sciences and the winter sport of alpine luge, formerly known as natural luge.

After choosing the University for its top program in aerospace engineering, they changed their major after taking a class in the geography department.

“I’ve always loved being outside and Luge brought me closer to Lake Superior,” Palecek said. “While training in Michigan, I realized just how much I enjoyed being in nature, and that influenced my decision to switch my major to Earth sciences.”

Palecek is now completing an Earth sciences degree, while competing with the USA Alpine Luge Team. Unlike the Olympic-style luge seen on manmade, refrigerated tracks, natural luge takes place on un-refrigerated tracks built into mountainsides. The team trains at Lucy Hill in Negaunee, Michigan—the only natural luge hill in the United States.

Luge runs in the family, as Palecek picked up the sport from their brother. Originally from Wisconsin, Palecek would travel to the hill every weekend to train in high school and now makes time to train in between their college courses. Palacek will now compete on the global stage alongside their brother. 

Juggling the competitions and their schoolwork isn’t easy, but Palecek found a unique way to combine both their academic and athletic goals. 

“Competing in the Alps gives me the opportunity to apply what I have learned in class. I can see the mountains and valleys and pick up rocks to identify them,” they said. “I found some really cool rocks while I was in Austria, and I was able to bring them back and look at them under the microscope with my professors since we can’t always see certain types here in Minnesota.”

Alpine luge presents its own set of challenges. With sharper turns and a track that follows the mountain’s natural contours, athletes must use their entire bodies to steer. Weather can also be a factor—changing temperatures affect ice conditions, often making the track more slick or unpredictable.

Palecek will be traveling with the team for the second year to Austria, Germany, and Italy to compete in the Alpine Luge World Cup competitions from early December 2025 through February 2026.

If you’re interested in learning more about the team, you can visit the Upper Peninsula Luge Club website.

Story by Kalie Pluchel