National Brotherhood of Skiers pick Breck

2008 annual meeting will mark the 35th anniversary of the National Brotherhood of Skiers

The National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS) -- known as the largest winter sports organization in the United States -- will be having its 2008 annual meeting in Breckenridge, January 12 - 19.

The annual meeting and Challenge Cup is the NBS biennial convention and fundraiser, and is expected to bring more than 1,000 individuals representing 77 clubs from across the country for the week-long winter sports event.

The quaint Victorian mining town of Breckenridge, combined with the 2,300 acres of ski terrain that make up Breckenridge Ski Resort will be the setting for all of the NBS annual convention events and activities.

"Breckenridge has a history of propelling new sports and teams of athletes into future Olympic competitions," said Lucy Kay, vice-president of marketing for Breckenridge Ski Resort. "We are very pleased to welcome young NBS athletes into the fold during their annual meeting."

The primary purpose of the annual meeting and Challenge Cup is to demonstrate African American representation in winter sports and raise money for the NBS Olympic Scholarship Fund, designed to provide financial support for exceptional athletes of color who excel in winter sports. The intent is to propel these young athletes to Olympic and international competition.

The NBS was founded in 1973 by 13 African American ski clubs. Since that time, the organization has grown to more than 77 clubs with membership of more than 8,000 adults and youth.

Keystone thinks big for future on-mountain improvements

In the April 11, 2007 Summit Daily News Nicole Formsa filed the following report.

Executives from Keystone Ski Resort (owned by Breckenridge Ski Area owner, Vail Resorts, and about a 20-minute drive from Breckenridge) touted their long-term plans for the county's largest ski area, including replacing the River Run Gondola, building a new on-mountain restaurant, relocating the Outpost Gondola, and beginning a $2.3 million expansion of the Keystone Lodge Spa.

Pat Campbell, Keystone chief operation officer, said Keystone has caught the attention of its parent company and is poised to take the next step. "People have really noticed the success that we're having, but also the incredible potential here at the resort, so I think we're sitting in just a great position looking into the future for development" Campbell said.

The master plan, which is subject to Forest Service approval, has at the top of the list the replacement of the 23-year-old River Run Gondola. As planned, the new gondola would start on the north side of the Snake River to shorten the walk from the free parking lot and would include a mid-station. The new gondola was originally planned to be tied to real estate development, but is now viewed as a stand-alone project and can move forward without a real estate anchor.

In addition, Keystone plans to replace the Argentine lift with a new lift that would whisk skiers from the Mountain House base to the top of Dercum Mountain. Also planned is a fine-dining restaurant which could eventually replace the award-winning Alpenglow Stube.