2023 Snowmaker Classic Results
More than 100 cross country skiers donned their skinny skis and race faces today at Lake Creek Trailhead for the 2023 Snowmaker Classic!
The race was hosted by SVSEF, with grooming support from BCRD and raffle prizes from the Elephants Perch—THANK YOU to our incredible partners for your support, energy, and enthusiasm for everything cross country skiing. We couldn't do it without you.
Racers competed in the classic style technique with the option of the following distances: 1 km youth, 2km youth, 2.5km, 5km, or 10km.
104 community members (including many SVSEF Devo, Prep and Comp Team skiers) turned out for this beautiful day of ski racing.
"One of my favorite highlights of the day was watching all the first time racers getting after it skiing head-to-head with friends and family," said SVSEF Cross Country Program Director, Becky Woods.
*Stay tuned for more event photos coming soon.
SVSEF Snowboarding Team Feels the Berm at 11th Annual Baldy Banked Slalom
The 11th annual Baldy Banked Slalom Competition took place on Bald Mountain Jan 7 - 8. The event welcomed nearly 200 snowboarders from across the country, with prestige on the line and the pros vying for an entry to the 2023 Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. Among the competitors were current SVSEF athletes, alumni, coaches, and competitors across all age groups. The event helped gather the snowboard community together, let the riders do what they love, and allowed past and present SVSEF riders come together and share their competitive drive and love for the sport.
“This is a prime example of what we are trying to do with the riders of the SVSEF Snowboard Team,” said Andy Gilbert, SVSEF Snowboarding Program Director and Head Coach. “We want to create ‘Swiss Army Knife’ riders—kids who can take on any terrain that is put in front of them. Fast in the banks, and comfortable on the jumps and in all conditions of freeriding. Our riders showed that this weekend!”
The Pro category winners won entries to the Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. This event brings snowboarders from around the world to compete. This year’s event will be held Feb. 3-5.
“The Baker Banked is a bucket list for snowboarders from all over the world, and to have one of our own alumni, Elk Spencer, punch his ticket was very special!” said Gilbert.
Baldy Banked Slalom Results
Next Gen Girls:
- 1st Camille Armeen (SVSEF)
- 2nd Vivian Smith (SVSEF)
- 3rd Arah Rockerfeller
Next Gen Boys:
- 1st Rylan Olson (SVSEF)
- 2nd Milo Pierre
- 3rd Quin Enoch (SVSEF)
Youth Girls:
- 1st Naomi Gorringe (SVSEF)
- 2nd Clarissa Yeoman, Callie Allen (SVSEF) (tie)
- 3rd Emma Lurie (SVSEF)
Youth Boys:
- 1st Henry Hawkins
- 2nd Karsen Miller (SVSEF)
- 3rd Nico Lerner
AM Women:
- 1st Zoe Bacca (SVSEF Alumni)
- 2nd Kate Berni
- 3rd Alexis Ziebelman
AM Men:
- 1st Mattias Fostvedt
- 2nd Ronald Arnold
- 3rd Robin Foster
35+ Women:
- 1st Sita Vaughn
- 2nd Kirsten Phillips
- 3rd Janessa Gilbert (SVSEF Coach)
35+ Men:
- 1st Pat Lee
- 2nd Ben Mouser
- 3rd Ricky Millett
Pro Women:
- 1st Madison Hall (won entry to the Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom)
- 2nd Lila Yeoman
- 3rd Phebe Erickson (SVSEF Alumni)
Pro Men:
- 1st Elk Spencer (SVSEF Alumni) (won entry to Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom)
- 2nd Jason Rickard
- 3rd Yancy Caldwell (SVSEF Alumni)
Winterstart Celebrates Nordic Community’s Love for Skiing Across All Ages
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
2023 IMD Junior Team Athletes Announced
Every December, IMD (Intermountain Division) selects six boys and four girls who were active IMD racers the previous season and will be active IMD U21 or U18 racers for the following season to become members of the IMD Junior Team. This past week, four members of the SVSEF Alpine FIS Team were amongst those named to the IMD Junior Team.
Paige DeHart, Finnigan Donley, Colin Hanna, and Kai Subith received word of their selection to the team, and two SVSEF Alpine Alum were also named as honorary team members—Ryder Sarchett and Dasha Romanov. Sarchett and Romanov are current members of the U.S. Ski Team’s Development Team.
IMD athletes that qualify but will not be returning to IMD to compete for the following season (due to a move to the U.S. Ski Team, college, retired, etc.) are named as honorary team members. The selected members of the men’s and women’s teams each receive a $500 IMD Grant to help with their race expenses for the season. In addition, they receive free entry fees to all Intermountain Cup (IMC) races.
“It’s a true testament to how our athletes are showing up, putting in the work, and bringing it all together on the hill,” said Will Brandenburg, SVSEF Alpine Program Director. “For six athletes, or a third of the IMD Junior Team, to come out of our program at SVSEF, is really exciting and I have the utmost respect for and belief in our coaches and athletes for their focus and dedication to continuously grow in the sport.”
Subith, Donley, Hanna Named to 2022-23 WEST Team
This past spring, athletes were nominated to the WEST Team based on NDG (National Development Group) criteria. The National Development Group (NDG) is a pool of the best 15-20-year-old athletes in the country. Nominated athletes are recognized with an invitation to at least one National Development project during the preparation period, and they are the first athletes considered for invitations to NorAm Team projects.
Following the summer prep period, evaluation of the athletes’ plans for this season, and passing the SkillsQuest-Fitness assessment this fall, SVSEF FIS Team athletes, Finnigan Donley, Colin Hanna, and Kai Subith, have been named to the 2023 W.E.S.T. Team.
The Western Region Alpine Competition Committee (ACC) assists WEST Team athletes with financial support to help offset the expenses of regional or national competition projects throughout the season.
“Being named to the WEST Team is a huge accomplishment for Finnigan, Colin, and Kai,” said Gladys Weidt, SVSEF FIS Team Head Coach. “Competing at this level requires next-level commitment, focus, and drive to continue to perform in the sport, and we are incredibly proud of the work these young men continue to put in day after day in their quest to rise through the ranks and be the strongest ski racers they can be.”
Cutler, Romanov, and Donley Step Onto NorAm Podium
Members of the SVSEF Alpine FIS Team, along with SVSEF Alumni and members of the U.S. Ski Team Development Team, raced amongst the best junior ski racers in North America this past week in Copper Mountain, CO. The North American Cup, also known as the NorAm circuit, is a race series that is designed as a stepping stone for young American and Canadian FIS racers who have their sights set on the World Cup.
SVSEF’s Haley Cutler raced her way onto the overall podium during last week’s NorAm races. A handful of Canadian and American World Cup and Olympic racers on the start list led to a stacked field, where in the first Super G race, there was only 0.2 of a second between 1st place and 6th place. Four out of these six skiers currently compete on the World Cup circuit and Cutler was right there in the mix placing 3rd overall in the second Super G and landing as the top-ranked American.
The NorAm circuit is the top level of racing in North America. The top two overall athletes per event in the series are given protected World Cup starts in that discipline for the following season.
“It felt really good to be back racing a NorAm again!” said Haley Cutler, SVSEF FIS Team athlete. “Downhill and Super G have always been so much fun for me and I’m stoked. I've gotten myself in a place (mentally and physically) to race speed again. Crossing the finish line with the feeling of a fast run and knowing I nailed my inspection marks is always a confidence booster even before seeing times! I was stoked to have a 3rd place podium in both the Downhill and the Super G race! This season I’m focused on NorAm's speed events with goals of racing on the World Cup circuit!”
For the Junior Girls, Dasha Romanov, SVSEF Alum and current member of the U.S. Ski Team’s Development Team, placed 3rd and 2nd in the two NorAm Super-G races, respectively; and in the Junior Boys, SVSEF FIS Team member, Finnigan Donley, finished 3rd in the first of two Super-G races.
For several SVSEF athletes, it was their first experience racing at the NorAm level. “My first NorAm experience was challenging but also very eye opening to the ski racing world,” said Jessica Blackburn, SVSEF Alpine Alum and Post-Grad athlete. “It was a great opportunity to ski against some of the best skiers my age.”
Cameron Crus, SVSEF Alpine FIS Team athlete added, “What a fun privilege to participate in my first NorAms. Although they did not go as I hoped and my skiing was not where I would have liked it to be, it was an eye-opening experience to race alongside the best girls my age and older. It is always a good time with the SVSEF crew!”
Up next for the SVSEF FIS Alpine Team:
- December 12-15: Men’s Tech NorAm’s at Beaver Creek, CO
- December 14-17: WR FIS Series at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
- December 19-22: Steamboat Springs Holiday Classic at Steamboat Springs, CO
- January 2-5: WR FIS Devo Series at Snow King, WY
Sun Valley Nordic Community Rallies Through Storm for the Sun Valley Super Tour
Volunteers and athletes go above and beyond over three days of world-class racing.
From December 8 - 11, the Sun Valley Super Tour welcomed more than 300 athletes from 32 teams and 11 states, along with multiple collegiate athletes and teams from Canada. Top athletes in the United States who aren’t currently racing World Cup also toed the line for three days of cross country ski racing at Sun Valley’s world-renowned Lake Creek venue.
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" said Becky Woods, SVSEF Cross Country Program Director. “The Nordic community here in Sun Valley came together yet again in some extremely challenging conditions, to make this event happen. I am so grateful to be a part of a community that takes such pride in putting on the best event possible, so all the athletes, families, and friends that came to be a part of it could have the experience they hoped for.”
Volunteers, families, friends, coaches, and athletes came out in force to battle the elements and test their mettle amongst fierce competition. More than 150 volunteers made up the world-class “pit crew” for the event. They helped with everything from judging skiing technique, handing out and collecting electronic timing chips and race bibs to each racer, cooking up and selling fresh gourmet waffles at the Yummy Shack, to preparing an aid station for all the racers, and more.
“Keeping all the racers and spectators safe, providing a fair and challenging racing venue, and doing it all during an epic snow cycle is something only Nordic Town, USA and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation can pull off while having so much fun at the same time,” said Kathryn Grohusky, volunteer coordinator. “Thanks to all for volunteering and please join us again next year!”
SVSEF athletes had some standout results, starting on Thursday with SVSEF XC Gold Team member Peter Wolter on the podium in 3rd place in the senior men's 15km classic, followed by Jake Adicoff in 22nd. In the senior women's 15km classic race, Sammy Smith matched Wolter’s 3rd place podium and Katie Feldman was close in 13th.
In the 10km classic race, SVSEF Post-Grad athlete Miguel Fresco Hanlon was 7th, followed closely by Dave Wolter in 9th, Holden Archie and Galen Grohusky in 14th and 15th, and Teddy Hobbs in 21st. In the women's 10km, Cora Faye Scott found herself on the podium in 2nd place, with teammates Berkeley Canfield and Anika Vandenburgh rounding out the top ten in 7th and 10th respectively.
In the U16 boys 5km classic race, Zach Quesnel stepped on the podium in 3rd place and Mazzy Connors led the way in the U16 girls 5km classic race finishing 4th. Tait Boschen raced his way to 3rd in the U14 boys race and Zoe Liberatore did the same in the girls U14 race. Finally, the U12 girls swept the podium with Payton Daly Scheingraber, Isla Sunby and Sydney Nelson going 1, 2 and 3.
Saturday brought continuous snow and some spectacular results for SVSEF in the Classic Sprints. Sammy Smith found her way to a 4th place finish in a tightly fought sprint for senior women. Berkeley Canfield tested her skills by making the senior sprint heats and finishing a solid 30th. In the junior heats, Anika Vandenburgh showed her grit by making it to the A final for U18's along and Mazzy Connors did the same for the U16's. Peter Wolter led the way finishing 10th among the senior men, while Holden Archie and Miguel Fresco-Hanlon made their way to the U18 final as well. Zach Quesnel skied his way to the heats for the U16 boys and finished in 8th overall.
On the final day and through the extreme elements, SVSEF XC Gold Team member Katie Feldman led the way in the senior women's 10km freestyle event with a solid 14th place. Sammy Smith was 2nd for the U18's with an overall finish of 22nd. Cora Faye Scott was close behind in 33rd. Gold Team member Peter Wolter found his way back into the top 10 in the senior men's 10km with a 10th place finish. Galen Grohusky was the victor in the U18 men's category with an overall 27th place. SVSEF’s presence continued straight through the last race of the day seeing the U12 girls sweep the podium once again with Isla Sunby, Payton Scheingraber, and Penelope Zook going 1, 2, 3 respectively.
For complete results, visit svsef.org/sun-valley-super-tour
2022 Sun Valley Super Tour to Take Place at Lake Creek on December 8, 10, 11
Spectators encouraged to attend and volunteers needed throughout the event
The Sun Valley Super Tour and Intermountain Opener is a joint competition of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Intermountain Cross Country, and the USSS Super Tour. The event is open to all FIS and USSS competitors and will welcome cross country athletes at the highest elite level, top collegiate athletes from the western region, and juniors looking to qualify for the 2023 Junior Nationals in March.
“Hosting a Super Tour is a big opportunity for our program and our community,” said Rick Kapala, Co-Chief of Competition and SVSEF Director of Sport Development. “It really helps us showcase what makes our valley so special when it comes to cross country skiing but also all winter recreation. Events like this also add a significant boost to our tourism income and hopefully we will see winter visitors come back during our equally glorious summertime.”
“Spectators are encouraged to come out to support skiers in the 2022 Sun Valley Super Tour,” said Kelley Yeates, Co-Chief of Competition. “The 2022 Sun Valley Super Tour involves three days of racing and will feature some of the best skiers in North America in addition to many of our local and intermountain juniors. We love spectators and we are grateful for your support and encouragement of the athletes.”
The event website includes a detailed schedule of events, course maps, and start lists for each day to help plan your spectating strategy. In addition, there is also a spectator access map to help navigate to prime viewing areas. All volunteers and spectators will be required to utilize the shuttle system from the Hulen Meadows Parking Lot located 1/2 mile south of the Lake Creek Venue on Idaho Highway 75. Shuttles will start daily at 6:30 a.m. and will continue through the conclusion of each day’s events.
The locally-based SVSEF XC Gold Team will line up against the best in the U.S. “It’s always super fun to race at home and see the community out supporting cross country skiing,” said Katie Feldman, member of the SVSEF XC Gold Team and Ketchum local.
“Sun Valley is probably the most beautiful place I have raced in,” said Finn O’Connell, member of the Bridger Pro Team out of Bozeman, MT. “I love the courses and especially like racing at altitude and the Sun Valley courses are a real test.”
Prize money will be awarded in the FIS race for the top six places for each gender per day. Classic Mass Start Distance Races will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8 beginning at 10 a.m. Classic Sprint Races will kick off on Saturday, Dec. 10 with qualifying at 9:30 a.m. and races starting at 11 a.m. The weekend will wrap up on Sunday, Dec. 11 with Freestyle Interval Start Distance Races beginning at 9 a.m. Awards will take place in the Lake Creek Stadium upon completion of each race. Complete schedule may be found online here.
Volunteers are needed for all days of the event. Those interested in volunteering can sign up for designated shifts on the Sun Valley Super Tour Volunteer Sign-Up Page.
For more information, please visit Sun Valley Super Tour.
Photo: Matt Leidecker
Lowie Watkins Awarded Inaugural Ashley Snyder Briggs Scholarship
Consistency, passion, strength, and sportsmanship are the winning formula for Watkins
Lowie Watkins has been named as the first recipient of the SVSEF Ashley Snyder Briggs (ASB) Scholarship. The scholarship will provide $10,000 towards tuition and expenses for one high-school-aged female alpine athlete per year for the next ten years. The ASB scholarship is awarded to the athlete who consistently shows love and passion for alpine ski racing, shows dedication both on the hill and in the classroom, intends to pursue the sport after high school, and demonstrates an appropriate need for financial support to chase their dreams in ski racing.
“I am so honored to be the first person to receive the Ashley Snyder Briggs Scholarship,” said Lowie Watkins. “It feels amazing to see such support for me and what I work hard at. It was such a surprise to be given this opportunity, and I am so thankful to my coaches and to Ashley for thinking of me.”
Watkins’ most recent U16 coach at SVSEF, Nate Schwing, shared his perspective on Lowie as an athlete, teammate, and accomplished violinist, and how she has shown an extraordinary commitment throughout her formative years in the sport.
“I had the pleasure of coaching Lowie Watkins the last two seasons, but even prior to that I first noticed Lowie when I coached the FIS Team,” said Schwing. “Lowie would walk into the gym as a U14 while the FIS Team was finishing up their workout, and she would start warming up on her own and complete her workout under the strength coach’s supervision. This was because she had violin practice that conflicted with U14 conditioning times, and I found it unique and impressive that a U14 athlete made this effort alongside the older kids to do the work.”
As a U16 athlete Watkins continued to demonstrate that same level of commitment both in the gym and on the ski hill. She also balances being a competitor with being a caring and supportive teammate. Watkins leads by example and athletes who share a similar desire to succeed find her to be a great friend and training partner. A few highlights from Watkins’ 2021-22 U16 season include:
- Six podiums and one victory in Intermountain Divisional competition
- Overall Winner at the 2022 Laura Flood Memorial
- Three top-10 finishes at the Western Regional Championships at Big Sky, Montana
- 10th in Giant Slalom at the U16 National Championships at Sugarloaf, Maine
“Lowie’s level of commitment and passion for both the sport and process of the sport has resulted in her becoming a very accomplished U16 ski racer,” said Schwing. “She has a strong athletic foundation as she prepares to move into the FIS ski racing world. She also has a strong mental foundation and is a composed but fierce ski racer—she can rise to the challenge. I have seen her both thrive and fail in these challenging scenarios, and in either case she keeps things in perspective and carries herself with class, always demonstrating good sportsmanship.”
“We are so proud to have Lowie Watkins as our inaugural 2022 recipient of the ASB scholarship,” said Ashley Snyder Briggs. “She truly demonstrates the commitment, dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship that this scholarship aims to recognize, and we are excited for her upcoming season.”
Ashley Snyder Briggs grew up skiing and racing with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation between 1974-1985, from her first turns on Baldy through high school. After graduating from Sun Valley Community School, she went on to ski race for Middlebury College’s Division 1 team. Snyder Briggs has remained closely tied to the Wood River Valley community and to SVSEF through her family and her nephews’ participation on the ski team, and has witnessed the consistent trajectory as a ski club over the years.
The Ashley Snyder Briggs Scholarship will be awarded each year by a committee of SVSEF coaches and Snyder Briggs. All high-school-aged SVSEF female alpine athletes are eligible to be considered for the scholarship. Ultimately, the Scholarship will be awarded to the athlete who consistently shows love and passion for alpine ski racing, shows dedication both on the hill and in the classroom, intends to pursue the sport after high school, and demonstrates an appropriate need for financial support to chase their dreams in ski racing.
Alexia Turzian and Peter Wolter Top Podium at 2022 Baldy Hill Climb
The 44th Annual Baldy Hill Climb took place on Saturday, September 24 in support of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF). With perfect fall weather on tap, more than 260 participants ranging from seven to seventy-eight years old, hiked and raced the 1.86-miles and 3,140 vertical feet straight-up to the top of Bald Mountain. The event is organized annually by the SVSEF Cross Country Team.
“Humbling and inspiring—what a great day!” said Becky Woods, SVSEF’s new Cross Country Program Director. “It was so much fun to see the community come together for this event to support SVSEF and all the young skiers in the Valley. Thank you to Sun Valley Company and our sponsors—Sturtevants, Atkinsons’ Market, Salomon, Durance, Coxa, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Elephant’s Perch, and Boulder Mountain Clayworks for believing in the mission and supporting our programs!”
Peter Wolter held off 11-time Baldy Hill Climb winner, Miles Fink-Debray, with a finish time of 36:18. SVSEF Alumna, Alexa Turzian, topped the women’s podium with a time of 47:26, besting her winning time from 2018 by seven seconds. The $100 bonus on the line for those who set a new course record remains elusive. Morgan Arritola’s record set in 2010 stands at 39:51 for the women, along with the men’s record of 35:04 set in 2014 by Miles Havlick. Arritola remains the only woman to break 40 minutes in the history of the event.
Peter Wolter, SVSEF XC Gold Team Member and winner of the men’s race said, “The Baldy Hill Climb win has been a notch I've wanted to add to my belt for a long time and to be able to achieve that on Saturday was pretty darn awesome. It's one of my favorite events to do and fun to see everyone at every age busting up to the top of Baldy.”
“Just another great day in paradise!” added Rick Kapala, SVSEF’s Director of Sport Development. “Thanks to all the participants who came out to support our SVSEF programs. Let the snow begin!”
2022 Women’s Race Podium Results:
1. Alexa Turzian 47:26 (SVSEF Alumna)
2. Cora Faye Scott 47:46 (SVSEF XC Comp Team)
3. Grace Sundali 48:24
2022 Men’s Race Podium Results:
1. Peter Wolter 36:18 (SVSEF XC Gold Team)
2. Miles Fink-Debray 37:29
3. Neil Bangs 38:15
Complete race results and hiking times can be found here.
Main Photo: Women's podium from L-R Grace Sundali, Alexa Turzian, Cora Faye Scott