The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Cross Country Team hosted the annual Winterstart race on Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Lake Creek trails north of Ketchum. The event welcomed current athletes, families, alumni, and skiers as young as 4 years old. A total of 63 racers competed in distances including 1km, 2km, 3km, 6km, and 9km. 

“We had skiers from 4 to 84 years old—our youngest skiers were Kalina Liberatore and Finn Mallory skiing the 1km loop! said Kelley Yeates, SVSEF Cross Country Assistant Program Director, and Prep Team Head Coach. “Winterstart is a true community effort, and the race couldn’t have been run without the support of the Elephant’s Perch and the great grooming by the BCRD!”

The Nordic community shined bright with the breadth of ages and abilities competing, but more importantly with everyone simply sharing their love for the sport. 

“My mom, my sister, and I all did the race and had so much fun—it was hard but good,” said 13-year-old Duncan Fryberger, member of the SVSEF XC Prep Team and 1st place male finisher in the 6km race. “My mom and I did the 6km, my sister did 2km, and I actually ended up finishing ahead of my mom!” 

For complete results with timing