As the 2023/2024 ski season is now history and the anticipation of summer fun is ahead, attention to all things snow sports tends to wane. However, with the revitalization of Bear Valley Resort in full swing the anticipation is high as to what next season will bring. Bear Valley Snowsports Foundation is also in the process of revitalizing its operation. To that end, several of our Board Members recently met with Tim Cohee to ensure alignment of objectives between the Resort and the Foundation. As you may know, Tim has extensive experience in all aspects of ski resort operation, ski racing and a vast network of ski industry colleagues.

There is tremendous potential for Bear Valley Resort and the Bear Valley Snowsports Foundation to work together in developing programs and events that are of interest to a wide range of our ski community. BVSF has been a vital champion of alpine racing at the resort through Race Team support and operating NASTAR. It has supported the Adaptive Program with equipment and coach training and provided the Teams program with a communications platform. Yet there is much more that can be done.

Bear Valley Snowsports Foundation’s revitalization effort includes recruiting new Board Members and volunteers who are passionate about snow sports and wish to contribute to improving the experience for our snow sports competitors and ski community at large. BVSF provides a forum for those interested in applying their skills to support the sport they love. BVSF is in the process of formulating our plans for next season in coordination with the Resort and you can help in that effort. If you have interest in being involved and/or skills in communications, social media, web site administration, event management or fundraising BVSF would be delighted if you would join our effort.

One area of interest to both the Resort and BVSF is the expansion of the Big Mountain team that for the first time this season sent 6 athletes to the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series. Bear Valley’s lower mountain is an excellent training and event venue for this exciting discipline. There is also an opportunity to expand our Adaptive Program which has a profound impact on athletes with disabilities and is in high demand at resorts with such programs.

If you have an interest in participating in the revitalization effort, please contact one of our Board Members for more information.

Mike Comstock – mikec@bvsef.org

Martha Montague – martha@californiaclimber.com

Nick Shawkey – ndshwakey@gmail.com

Ellen Hoffman – ellen.e.hoffman@outlook.com

Josh Bridges – joshb@bearvalley.com

Gary Smith – gsmit03@gmail.com

George Stone – georgestone1@mac.com

Joseph Trapasso – joseph.trapasso@gmail.com

Nicole Trapasso – nicolet@bvsef.org