We saw a glimmer of light amid the gray conditions today as local skiers and riders came together to ski and ride for a cure.

It’s all part of our first Hope on the Slopes event. Individuals and teams of 4 to 10 participants compete for the most vertical feet skied and most donations received.

A friendly rivalry between different groups of Brundage employees brought a little extra excitement to the event. 

Many participants were riding with a particular loved one in mind.

Others were focused on raising money for the cause.

Proceeds raised support and fund research that leads to improved treatments, patient care and services, and education through the American Cancer Society. But the serious nature of the cause didn’t detract from the fun format of the event.

Participants were given electronic trackers that beep every time they pass one of the ‘orbiters’ at the bottom of the BlueBird or Centennial.

From there, it’s all about putting in the time and energy to rack up the vert. The Smoky’s team is off to a great start…

 

(With a colorful indoor fan club rooting them on).

And the #10 Pinkies (it’s a fly fishing thing?) were out in force, showing their dedication to the cause through the fog and soggy conditions.

Lap…

After lap…

After lap.

In the end, Team Andy and Kenzie (below) swept first place in both the vertical challenge and the fundraising competitions. This team logged more than 243,000 vertical feet and raised $1875.

The winner of the individual vertical challenge was Renee Roberts, who carved 46,680 vertical feet and won a Brundage Season Pass. (She was also our second highest individual fundraiser, with a total of $400 raised).

In addition to the friendly competition, we also took some quiet moments to plant some memory flags in the snow in honor of loved ones lost and those still courageously fighting the battle.

 

Local cancer patient and four-time Olympian, Lyle Nelson, shared some inspirational words before the group set out for an official ‘remembrance run’.

This run is dedicated to those who are no longer with us, to the survivors who have won the fight, for those who are fighting cancer now, and for their caregivers.

For the first time all day, the sky opened up with a little brightness during the remembrance run.

 

We dedicated our first Hope on the Slopes event to Vern Loveall, a beloved local man who left us last May after a valiant 4 1/2 year fight with brain cancer.

Vern was the longtime owner of Crusty’s Pizza in McCall and his wife, Kathy, is part of our Brundage Mountain team.

Vern’s motto: ‘Love one, Love all’ seemed the perfect sentiment for our first Hope on the Slopes event.

We hope you’ll be inspired to join us next year as we ski and ride (and love) for a cure!

– April

Here are the final results in all categories:

Team Vertical:

#1: Team Andy & Kenzie – 243,000 vertical feet

#2: Number Ten Pinkies – 184,000 vertical feet

#3: Smoky’s ‘Cancer Sucks’ – 158,000 vertical feet

Individual Vertical:

#1: Renee Roberts – 46,600 vertical feet (Wins a Brundage Season Pass)

#2: Michael Hayes – 34,396 vertical feet (Wins a 3-Day Select Card from Brundage Mountain)

#3: Rick Sorenson – 34,396 vertical feet

Team Fundraising:

#1: Team Andy & Kenzie – $1875

#2: Team Smoky’s – $812

#3: Number Ten Pinkies – $740

(The entire event raised $4,150)

Individual Fundraising:

#1: Karen Simonds – $690 (Wins a pair of K2 skis)

#2: Michael Hayes – $475 (Wins a $400 gift certificate for a Karbon jacket)

#3: Renee Roberts – $400

We want to thank all the sponsors and participants for helping make our inaugural event a success (and a darn good time!). In addition to those who provided prizes for the participants, Sysco graciously donated the food for our ‘results’ party so we could all celebrate our successful first event!