LOCAL NEWS

Young skiers mark end of season with pointers from Olympic gold medalist

Apr 8, 2018, 5:57 PM | Updated: Apr 17, 2023, 4:02 pm

SOLITUDE — About 50 children got some skiing tips from Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety at Solitude Mountain Resort Sunday.

The children are part of a program that helps families get involved with an expensive sport like skiing.

The event was the big finish to a six-week program called “Y I Ski”. The program is a partnership between the YMCA of Northern Utah, the National Winter Sports Education Foundation, and Solitude.

The program allows families to get lessons, gear rentals, and lift tickets at affordable prices for children from ages seven to 17.

Children gathered at Solitude to wrap up the season Sunday morning, skiing down a race course. Parents said their children had come a long way through the program.

“I think it’s wonderful because it helps the inspiration and helps guide them and shows them what the love of the sport can definitely do for the future,” Brandy Bushnell said.

Bushnell’s 10-year-old daughter, Braylin, was participating in the program for the first time this year.

While the young skiers enjoyed the slopes, they also met with Ted Ligety, an Olympic gold-medal and world-champion skier.

“It’s so cool to be able to watch these kids evolve on the slopes. It’s awesome to see them from the first year,” Ligety said. “A lot of these kids, it’s their second year and to see how much better they’ve gotten over the year and how much fun they’re having. It’s so awesome. I grew up skiing my whole life and it’s so cool to be able to share that experience with these young kids.”

Ligety said he was also excited for the children to learn skills that apply off the slopes.

“It’s such a fun sport. It gives you so much, not only from the fun aspect, but learning about yourself, getting confidence, pushing your limits, scaring yourself sometimes, challenging yourself,” he said.

As Braylin finishes up her ski season, her mother says she is glad she learned some lessons to last a lifetime.

“She was so afraid to go down the higher hill and was really terrified and with the support of her friends and everybody, she finally went down it last week and now you can’t keep her off of it,” Bushnell said.  “I think it’s really building that strength and courage of knowing you can overcome your challenges.”

Elissa Kobrin, the YMCA of Northern Utah’s director of camping, said the organization is always happy to accept used ski gear that can help children in their programs hit the slopes.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Caroline Gleich wants to change what a senator should look like...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

Caroline Gleich wants to change what people think a senator should ‘look’ like

"I don't look like a U.S. senator." It's a message professional ski mountaineer and Democratic Senate candidate Caroline Gleich has heard often enough as she began her first televised ad of the 2024 cycle by addressing it.

12 minutes ago

Loren Richardson shoots video of him snowboarding when a Brighton man confronted him on Feb. 26. Th...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Brighton resident charged with threatening, pointing shotgun at snowboarder

A Brighton man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and accused of pointing a shotgun at a backcountry skier who went on his property on Feb. 26.

2 hours ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

Breeze Airways announces new flights out of Provo to Dallas Fort Worth

Getting to the Lone Star State just got easier. Breeze Airways announced a new flights to Dallas Fort Worth from Provo.

2 hours ago

(KSL TV)...

Andrew Adams

Data shows significant uptick in gas prices over past month in Salt Lake area

Gas prices rose considerably over the past month in the Salt Lake area, according to data from industry watchers.

3 hours ago

A UDOT snowplow clears the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 9. Up to 2 feet of snow or more is...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Rain, snow to impact many parts of Utah throughout Easter weekend

It might be spring, but winter weather remains in Utah's forecast for Easter weekend as the end of the traditional snowpack collection period nears.

5 hours ago

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Young skiers mark end of season with pointers from Olympic gold medalist