Jimmy Heuga's Snow Express for MS stops at Schweitzer
SANDPOINT — The country's largest charity on snow will hit the slopes of Schweitzer Mountain Resort on Saturday.
More than 15 ski/snowboard teams will compete against the clock, the mountain and other racers to raise money on behalf of people living with multiple sclerosis.
"When the snow started to fail on us it got a little scary, but we have met with the staff at Schweitzer and we're planning a really fun event," said Pam Burke, an event director for Jimmy Heuga's Snow Express for MS at Schweitzer.
This will be the 15th year Schweitzer has hosted the event, which was founded 20 years ago by skiing Olympian and Heuga Center founder Jimmie Heuga. The Snow Express began in 1985, when Heuga and 10 others set a world record, skiing one million vertical feet during a 24 hour period in Alyeska, Alaska. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of that feat, the Vertical Express for MS aims to establish two new world records, while raising funds and awareness for The Heuga Center and MS.
"One way we hope to set a world record is by hosting all of this year's events on the same day at 22 resorts across the country," said Billy Bob Goyen, a director for this weekend's event at Schweitzer. "We're telling people to come on up, help us break a couple of world records and raise money for MS at the same time."
All proceeds will support The Heuga Center's proactive wellness programs that focus on educating people living with MS and their families on what they "can do" to live healthy, active and fulfilling lives.
"We all have challenges and MS is another challenge. We want to let people who have MS know that their life is not over, it is just beginning," said Goyen. "And through this event, we can help them focus on how they can maximize their quality of life."
After experiencing their first national event 15 years ago, both Burke and Goyen said their eyes were really opened to the horrible effect MS has on people.
"After 1990, we started giving scholarship money to people in our area with MS and it has been exciting to see the impact on their lives and that has kept us going," said Burke.
Over the past 15 years, Goyen said they have probably raised $700,000, the goal this year is to raise $40,000 locally.
To participate, individuals or teams can register in advance of the event at www.verticalexpress.org, or at Alpine Motors from 5-8:30 p.m. on Friday. Late registration will be Saturday morning from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Chimney Rock at Schweitzer.
Everyone who skis or rides, or has a vested interest in supporting programs for people living with MS and their families is invited to take part in the event.
"If you don't have a team, you can still sign up to race for $100," said Goyen. "And anyone who just wants to donate $50 will receive a Jimmy Heuga Snow Express bag and a Vertical Express prize."
The overall winner from the event will receive a trip to Jimmy Heuga's Snow Express for MS International Finals competition in Vail, Colo., in April.
Information: Billy Bob Goyen at (509) 994-5493, Pam Burke at (208) 660-0661, visit www.schweitzer.com or call 1 (800) 831-8810 for race registration and special packages.