Medical - Explore Big Sky

BSSeF race Updates
bsseF racers dominated at discovery
Over 160 kids from the state of Montana competed at Discovery Mountain
the weekend of March 5 and 6, including 25 athletes from Big Sky. The Big
Sky girls filled the podium every day in the J-7, J-6, J-5 and J-4 categories,
with Alexa Coyle getting the fastest time overall on Sunday. She beat both the
women and men racers that day. Many of the Big Sky athletes placed in the top
15 each day. Congrats racers!
biG sky athletes Who made the Podium:
saturday, March 5
J-7 Girls – Kassidy Boersma – 1st
J-6 Girls – Mazie Schreiner – 2nd
J-5 Girls – Kuka Holder – 2nd
J-4 Girls – Alexa Coyle – 1st
J-7 Boys – Alex Rager- 2nd
J-7 Boys – Luke Kirchmayr- 3rd
The Big Sky Ski Education Foundation
(BSSEF) was founded in 1993
by a group of parents who wanted to
provide opportunities for their children
to become avid skiers and gain
appreciation for the sport. Originally,
the organization solely provided
race programs, but since, they’ve
added a freeride team, a nordic team
and a masters program for ages 18
and above.
There are 80 participants within the
competitive, racing-based foundation.
“We had 50 kids competing in
all different places last weekend,”
sunday, March 6
J-7 Girls – Kassidy Boersma – 1st
J-6 Girls – Mazie Schreiner – 3rd
J-5 Girls – Kuka Holder – 3rd
J-4 Girls – Alexa Coyle – 1st
BSSeF offers dynamic programs for all ages
by abbie diGel
said Eric Becker, President of the
Board. Becker is a 20 year resident
of Big Sky, and has been involved
with BSSEF for two years both on
the board and as a parent. “We have
a group of completely dedicated
parents and volunteers,” Becker
said. Some of those parents grew
up within the program, like Jeremy
Ueland, who is Program Director,
along with 14 coaches.
The funding for the foundation
comes from a mix of sponsors, like
Lone Peak Physical Therapy and
Alpine Property Management.
Tasty Treats Yield Big Bucks
for ophir
The annual Ophir School Pie
Auction, which took place at
Buck’s T-4 on Saturday, March
12, brought in more than
$40,000 this year. The event
was an “amazing success,” said
organizer Kimmi Warga.
“It was great to see so many
people—including those who do
not have children at Ophir—at
our auction. In a recovering
economy, to make this much money
is a testament to the community
and how Big Sky values education,”
Warga said. “We were touched by all
the local businesses that contributed
items for our silent and live auctions
as well as the raffle.”
The evening’s theme was Mad Hatter.
Event attendees dressed in their best
costumes and hats to make the most
of the evening. Pies, cakes, student
artwork and the best Big Sky has to
offer was up for grabs.
Ski filmmaker Warren Miller and his
wife Laurie dropped by the auction
to bid on a few items. Lone Peak High
School Students have the option of
participating in The Warren Miller
Freedom Foundation’s Young Entrepreneur
Program, which is popular at
the school.
The Ophir School student council,
teachers, administration and students
would like to thank Buck’s T-4 and
everyone who supported the event.
ophirschooldistrict.org
Visit explorebigsky.com to read Barb
Dillon’s letter about the pie auction.
Other funds come from hosting
races, program fees, resort tax and
grant writing. BSSEF also received a
generous grant from the Yellowstone
Club Community Foundation, and
students can apply for merit-based
scholarships.
“An individual sport like ski racing
is invaluable for character development,
family time, athlete development,
and learning a lifestyle sport,”
said Becker.
New this year is the nordic terrain
park. Near the Town Center, the park
explorebigsky.com
big sky Weekly
is meant to help introduce newcomers
to the sport, which has been
growing in popularity in Big Sky,
thanks to the miles of groomed trails
at Lone Mountain Ranch. Last week,
the Ranch hosted the first annual
Big Sky Nordic Ski Festival. Locals
showed up and raced down the pristine
groomed trails for the King and
Queen of the Mountain race, as well
as other events throughout the week.
Check bssef.com for race schedules
or to get involved.
Big Sky Freeride Team goes Big at crystal
Mountain, headed to Targhee, WY
In the beginning of March, the
BSSEF Freeride team, along with
coaches ScotLivingston and Devan
Backstom, and a few family members,
spent the weekend in Crystal
Mountain Ski Area for the second
stop of the Junior Freeskiing
World Tour.
Competition day dawned with a foot
of fresh snow and foggy, snowy conditions. Big Sky Freeride had three competitors
at Crystal: Micah Robin, 14, Solomon Amsden, 16, and Joey Manship, 16.
Robin was the first to compete. His takeoff and air were beautiful, but the backseat
landing ended in a yard sale.
Solomon Amsden competed in the 15-17 age group. He skied smoothly to his
first feature, launched himself upside down and landed his first back flip in
a competition. The crowd went wild and his support group heaved a sigh of
relief. But it was short lived, as Amsden headed to a cluster of rocks to launch
one more trick. He landed hard on hidden rocks that ripped the bottom of his
skis to shreds.
Joey Manship had a decent run with a couple of nice hits, but also found the landing
difficult on the last jump.
Their next competition is in Targhee the weekend of March 25.
march 18, 2011 5