Schweitzer Mountain Snow Express Raises $40,000 for MS

Annual ski race benefits those with multiple sclerosis

SANDPOINT — Cloudless blue skies and spring skiing temperatures made for a beautiful, warm day surpassed only by the hot competition of the Snow Express for MS at Schweitzer Mountain Resort on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Presented by Columbia Sportswear and RSN, the Annual Snow Express for MS attracted eight teams of three racers each, and raised close to $40,000 to benefit The Heuga Center, a nonprofit now celebrating twenty years of promoting health and creating hope for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Teams of three people comprised of all ages and abilities skied and rode in a dual giant slalom and a wacky mountain challenge that included ski pole tosses, snow golf and pineapple bowling. At the end of the day, places and prizes were awarded based on a combination of on-snow results and the amount of money raised.

The Dirt Brothers raised $17,679, winning the Snow Express and earning themselves Columbia Champion sweaters and an all expense-paid trip to Vail, Colorado, March 31st - April 4th for the International Snow Express Finals. The team, averaging 72 years of age, boasts, "We may be old, but we,re good!" The team consisted of Brock Byers, Ray Storey, and George Creighton.

Second place overall went to Ski Crud Club whose members included,Daniel Volz, Brandon Moon, and Ben Dutzar, who raised $10,000 and took first place in the Giant Slolam and second place overall

In addition, Lou Lou's 3 should be commended for not only stealing the title of Mountain Challenge Champions but also for bringing three other teams with them. The team consisted of Tom Letourneau, Shane Perkins, and Lou Lou's Ski Shop owner Fred Nowland.

The Heuga Center would also like to thank event directors Pam Burke and Billy Bob Goyen for their tireless efforts and endless hours of work on behalf of The Heuga Center to make the Schweitzer Mountain Snow Express a fun and successful event. They are just two of the countless volunteers who give their time, skills and resources to help The Heuga Center help people with MS.

Now in its 19th year, the Snow Express has 12 races nation-wide and is the largest source of funding for The Heuga Center. A percentage of the proceeds from the Schweitzer event is used to provide need-based scholarships for people with MS and their families to attend one of the Center's five-day medical CAN DO Programs.

Former CAN DO participant, Debba Lewis, who attended Saturday's event, applauded The Heuga Center's programs. "This program changed my life and taught me to focus on what I CAN DO," said Lewis. "I can't tell you how much the money you raise through this event helps people with MS like me. Thank You!"

Former US Ski Team member and Olympic medalist Jimmie Heuga founded the Heuga Center in 1984. Heuga was diagnosed with MS in 1970, at the height of his ski-racing career. At that time, people with MS were advised to avoid physical activity a prescription in opposition to Heuga's elite athletic background. Defying conventional wisdom, Heuga designed a program of exercise, nutrition and psychological motivation and found not only his physical condition, but also his outlook on life much improved. Inspired by his success, Heuga founded The Heuga Center in order to teach others with MS how to live an active, fulfilling life focusing on their health and what they still "can do."

In 2004, Jimmie celebrates the 40th anniversary of his Olympic bronze medal and the 20th birthday of The Heuga Center, the only resource of its kind in the world for people with MS.

For more information about the Snow Express for MS or The Heuga Center, please call 1-888-DO-IT-MS, or visit www.heuga.org.