Ski foundation helps children's confidence

One of the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation's most well-known events has been the Doug Smith Memorial Downhill race. The event is named for Doug Smith, who was killed in World War II. This year, the race's name is being changed to commemorate another local skier--Rollie Smith.

Thanks to grassroots efforts by locals, ski racing is still available to youths in the Flathead Valley.

Downhill ski racing was once a part of the school program in Whitefish, but that ended in the 1960s, leaving children with no organized way to learn the sport. A group of parents got together to form the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation in 1973. Their main goal was to support ski racing on Big Mountain.

"Ski racing has been an integral part of Big Mountain since the beginning," said Wink Jordan. "The foundation's purpose is to raise money to offset the cost of ski racing."

Jordan said the foundation provides money to help offset program costs, such as coach salaries, on-hill expenses and equipment costs. The foundation also provides scholarships to athletes who demonstrate need.

With the cost of ski racing so high, some children who want to ski really need the help. Ski racers have to travel throughout Montana to races, but if they move up the ranks, costs increase more.

Jordan says the costs of being a Junior-Olympic competitor is almost $5,000 a year, while racing at an elite level can cost nearly $25,000 a year. But it's more about building character than money or success, Jordan says.

Some of the better skiers in the program regularly travel to Mammoth Mountain in California, Lake Louise in Canada, Colorado, Maine, and other locations. One skier hopes to race in Europe this year, but costs are out-of-pocket for her.

"We can't afford to pick up all the expenses," Jordan said. "But we try to help."

Jordan says it takes physical and mental skills to succeed as a ski racer. It's a sport where hundredths of a second can make the difference, and skiers are racing at 75 to 80 mph in icy conditions.

"It's a rush," Jordan said. "It takes confidence to put the pedal down. It all has to come together for two minutes."

Jordan, who used to ski race when he was younger, said he enjoys helping children with their skills.

Until the late '60s, skiing was a sport through the local schools, he recalled. Because of funding issues, however, these programs were dropped, much to the disappointment of local skiers.

"That left ski teams kind of on their own," Jordan said.

In the early '70s, a group of concerned parents were headed up by Gary Tallman and Lee Kaufman to develop a ski racing organization. In 1973, the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation was setup as a nonprofit.

One of the foundation's most well-known events is the Doug Smith Memorial Downhill race. The event is named for Doug Smith, who was killed in WWII. This year, the race's name is being changed to commemorate another local skier--Rollie Smith.

"He was always a supporter of our organization," Jordan said.

Started in 1948, the race is the oldest named downhill event still running in the country, according to Jordan.

The foundation also holds numerous Northern Division races for all ages, including the Tommy Moe Youth Ski League, which gives children experience with ski racing.

"We run some races on the hill for kids," Jordan said. "It gives them their first taste of coming out of the starting gate."

This year the foundation has close to 50 athletes between the ages of 10 and 21 ready to compete. From entry level to elite racers, most have a dream to make the U.S. Ski Team.

Jordan says there are three elite racers on the team this year--Kate Jordan, Wink's daughter, Marni Hale and Kyle Taylor. Taylor won a Junior Olympic event last year, while Kate was the first athlete in Montana to race at the U.S. Nationals in Alyeska, Alaska, two years ago.

"For the size of the program we've got," Jordan says, "it's one of the finest programs in the country."

The foundation has five coaches this year, Jeff Pickering, Pete Collins, Tom Pacheko, Alrick Hale and Mark Magirth. Pickering was a women's U.S. Ski Team coach in the past.

"I think we're poised within the next four to five years to put a kid on the U.S. ski team," Jordan said.

The Foundation has alumni all over the world. Some of the most prominent include Tommy Moe, Trevor Wagner, Chad Wold, Tim Hinderman, Brett Tallman and David Elliott.

Jordan has been a part of the program for 15 years. He got involved because his daughter B.J. wanted to race at age 10. Since then, he's been involved with helping children build confidence and learn to race.

"It's a bunch of people who care about what we're doing," Jordan said.

The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation's biggest fund-raiser of the year will take place Dec. 1. The Showcase of Chefs at Grouse Mountain Lodge features local chefs from well-known restaurants.

The benefit will also have an auction with items like ski trips and ski and snowboard equipment. For more information, call Kent Taylor at 862-6516.