Bridger Ski Foundation

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR:
We honored these three amazing volunteers at the Freestyle banquet this year. A moguls course requires a lot of manual labor, and the BSF Freestyle team has Hunter Lacey, Stuart Schilling, and Dave Richards, in particular to thank for this past season's bumps and jumps on Boot Hill. Hunter, Stuart and Dave put in hundreds of hours helping with the course this season. Thank you!

The BSF Skimo team owes much thanks to volunteers Peter Belchwender (pictured) and Paul Dinkins. With tight transportation for the Skimo Team this past season, both of these parents traded driving a personal van for the kids on the days of the week BSF couldn’t. They spent countless hours at the trailheads and driving kids around. Thank you!

Next up! BSF's incredible volunteers. Let's start with James Willich. James is the BSF Alpine Race Timer and a key member of the BSF race crew. James brings enthusiasm, problem solving and a friendly ongoing conversation to the timing shack. James' daughter Grace started on the Alpine team and moved over to compete in Freeride. When not volunteering for BSF, James serves on the Livingston City Commission. Thanks James for being such an important member of the BSF community!

BSF GROOMER OF THE YEAR:
Meet Kimo Sullivan, lead groomer/snowmaker. Kimo brought the same fun presence, talent and enthusiasm to this ski season as he did his first year with our program in 2022-23, the biggest snow year any of us can remember. But, this season, instead of putting in hundreds of hours behind the wheel of the snowcat, it was hundreds of hours shoveling snow onto the trails, fixing fence blown over by the wind, working through the night to make snow during the few cold weather windows available, and during one especially sunny-warm stretch, sanding and refinishing the peeled wooden facade of our pump house. Thanks for your hard work and creative problem solving this season!

BSF COACHES OF THE YEAR SERIES:
Meet Seth Wyatt, Nordic Devo Coach. As a BSF alumnus and recently graduated collegiate skier, Seth brought invaluable experience and insights to our Devo coaching crew. He accepted additional responsibility with a welcoming smile and was a leader amongst his fellow coaches, helping the whole team move in a positive direction. Kind, caring, and with a quick sense of humor, he was a valuable addition to our coaching staff.

BSF COACHES OF THE YEAR SERIES:
Meet Shane Wilson, Alpine Devo Assistant Coach. Shane was an exemplary coach for Devo this season. He coaches our youngest and usually most inexperienced group, which means he has the challenge of molding wild skiers into fast and technically sound racers. This season he created a strong bond with every one of his athletes, teaching the basic fundamentals of ski racing as well as being a good teammate. Shane steps up as a leader for our team, making sure everything runs smoothly.

BSF COACHES OF THE YEAR SERIES:
Meet Sophia Wilson, Nordic Devo Coach. As a veteran coach on the BSF Devo crew, we were so lucky to get Sophia back this year. She is frequently described as "The nicest person you will ever have the pleasure of meeting,", and that could not be more true. Her experience both as an athlete and a coach is evident at every practice. Her attitude is infectious for both the athletes who have the pleasure of calling her their coach and the coaches who have the pleasure of calling her their friend.

BSF COACHES OF THE YEAR SERIES:
Meet Becky Wheeler, Nordic Adult Training Group Coach. Becky came back to Bozeman this season, after a few years coaching in Casper, WY. She helped spice up our adult program training sessions with new ideas for dryland and agility as well as on snow. We are so grateful for the creativity, curiosity and intensity she brought to the adult crew! We are excited to have her helping with some new summer training offerings for adults!

BSF COACHES OF THE YEAR SERIES:
Meet Grace Lux, Nordic Intro Coach. Grace showed up at practice each day with energy, excitement, and a passion for teaching our skiers. She never hesitated to help out or step up and sub when a coach was out. Additionally, Grace went above and beyond to promote inclusion and belonging for our Spanish-speaking participants. Thank you, Grace!

BSF COACHES OF THE YEAR SERIES:
Meet Benn Littman Roeder, Assistant Club Team Coach. Ben was a flex coach, working with the Freestyle and Alpine Devo teams while also coaching with the BSF Club Team (formerly “intro”). Ben showed up stoked everyday to help in any capacity he could. He went out of his way to challenge the kids and helped improve their confidence. Ben was also a valued player in our new Wednesday afternoon Club Team session. And kids just adore him!