History
The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation provides year-round ski and snowboard training and competition opportunities for 500 Wood River Valley athletes each year. Our origins are rooted in the Sun Valley Ski Club as our foundation was established as an integral part of the ski club in 1966; it was a way for the SVSC to provide racing opportunities for juniors. Since that time the SVSEF has helped numerous junior racers achieve dreams of Olympic medals, World Championship podiums, World Cup victories, and National Championship gold. More importantly, we have helped an innumerable number of athletes become skiing aficionados for life. Not only are the alumni of the ski foundation some of the best skiers on any mountain, anywhere, they are “setting the bar high” in all facets of life including family, work and community.
The Sun Valley Ski Club formed the SVSEF:
In 1963 members of the Sun Valley Ski Club established a Junior Race Committee to promote a program for school children in the Wood River Valley to learn to ski and to train to race in regional events. The intent of the original committee members, including Jack Simpson, Jane Kneeland and Pete Lane, was to try and place local racers on Junior National teams and, eventually, on Olympic teams.
The Ski Club sought non-profit 501(c)3 status for the junior program and the SVSEF was established as a non-profit amateur sports organization in 1966. The Ski Club members pledged to dedicate a portion of their membership dues to support the goals of the SVSEF. They began to set aside monies in trust for annual income intended to provide scholarships for needy athletes.
Timeline:
Early 1960's - Junior Alpine Racing program is started by the Sun Valley Ski Club
April 17, 1966 - Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is incorporated
1971 - 96 racers are part of the SVSEF; 6 are named to the U.S. Ski Team
1972 - SVSEF Cross Country program started
1976 - 1st Annual Game Dinner
1982 - Lake Creek Property donated to SVSEF by Warren Shillington
1985 - Alpine Hut in Warm Springs acquired
1990 - Phase 1 of Engl Training Center acquired; Freestyle Program started
1992 - Phase II of Engl Training Center acquired
1997 - 1st Annual Bill Janss Pro Am
1999 - SVSEF named USSA "Club of the Year"
2000 - Budget surpasses $1 million
2002 - Quigley Cross Country program instituted in Hailey
2004 - Olympic Development Team (ODT) program started
2005 - Budget surpasses $5 million
2006- 40th Anniversary Celebration
2007 - SVSEF enrollment tops 500 athletes; Lake Creek facility remodeled
2011 - Olympic Development Team renamed SVSEF Gold Team
2012 - Designated an Olympic / Paralympic Training Site by the United States Olympic Committee
SVSEF Mission
The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is dedicated to providing exceptional snow sports programs for the youth of the Wood River Valley. The primary goal of the program is to assist each participant in reaching his/her athletic potential, while developing a positive attitude and strong personal character.
SVSEF Vision
To create the BEST Junior Snowsports Development Program in the nation.
SVSEF Values
Citizenship and Sportsmanship
SVSEF Philosophy
Strong Minds, Strong Bodies, Strong Futures