Data courtesy of Colorado Mountain School. Picture CMC Skigles Copper Mountain
A Program on the Brink — and a Neighborhood That Refused To Lose It
Final spring, the Colorado Mountain School Eagles Alpine Ski Group stood on the sting of a cliff no racer desires to face. After 40 years of creating faculty graduates and aggressive ski racers in Steamboat Springs, this system—higher often known as the Skigles—obtained devastating information: State and federal funds cuts eradicated the school’s capability to cowl its $250,000 annual working price. With out new monetary help, the 2025–26 season can be its final.
The ski neighborhood pushed again instantly.
Dad and mom, alumni, supporters, and student-athletes joined forces with the CMC Basis and launched an aggressive fundraising marketing campaign. They set a daring goal: Increase $1.5 million by June 2027 to safe the crew’s future. The primary benchmark—$300,000 earlier than November 30—appeared daunting.
Then help poured in.
An nameless donor stepped ahead with a $150,000 match, and contributions surged. The marketing campaign shortly blew previous its first objective and closed in on $500,000 earlier than the deadline.
“We’re thrilled to haven’t solely met however exceeded our preliminary fundraising objective,” mentioned Kristin Heath Colon, CMC vice chairman for development and CMC Basis CEO. “It’s gratifying to proceed to listen to how a lot the school and the ski crew are revered and valued.”
The Subsequent Push: $500,000 Wanted by June 30
This early momentum units the tempo, however the race continues. To remain on monitor, the Skigles should increase one other $500,000 by June 2026.
“These subsequent six months of fundraising are crucial for the longevity of this nice program,” Colon mentioned. “We’ve bought the momentum wanted, and like each race, ending sturdy is the important thing to success.”
CMC competes towards high NCAA alpine packages and offers student-athletes a uncommon alternative to earn a level whereas coaching at a degree that pushes their athletic potential. Racers from throughout the West—and much past—use this system as a launching level.
Why CMC Issues to Racers
For junior Sam McDermott, the Skigles opened a door he didn’t need to shut.
“I wouldn’t have come to CMC with out ski racing because the catalyst,” mentioned McDermott, who grew up in Glenwood Springs, skilled with Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Membership, and attended Burke Mountain Academy earlier than selecting CMC.
McDermott factors to the coaching setting as a significant benefit.
“Now we have slope entry that no different faculty crew has,” he mentioned. “We get to coach as a lot as we wish on watered snow and the teaching workers is nice.”
He now research management and administration whereas pursuing an affiliate diploma in ski and snowboard enterprise, constructing skis and working on-snow demos as a part of his educational work. He returned to coaching this fall after double hip labrum surgical procedure and feels the momentum behind this system.
“It’s cool to know there are such a lot of individuals in our nook,” he mentioned. “Having that help offers me the boldness to go arduous.”
The Skigles’ Future: Athlete-Funded and Neighborhood-Pushed
Subsequent season, the 21-member roster will shift to {a partially} athlete-funded mannequin. Every skier will contribute $10,000 yearly, a fraction of what high post-graduate membership packages cost.
“The athlete charges are nonetheless solely a few third of the value of a top-tier post-graduate membership program,” mentioned head coach Scott Tanner. “The fundraising success thus far has made such a distinction. The crew is strolling with a pep of their step. We’re presently coaching at Copper and the crew is snowboarding rather well. This has been an enormous shot of adrenaline for us.”
Why Donors See the Skigles as a Very important Pipeline
Early donor and Vail resident Kathy Borgen serves on the CMC President’s Advisory Council and brings many years of ski-racing perspective.
“CMC’s dedication to entry and excellence has made it one of the cost-effective, high-quality faculty and varsity ski groups within the nation,” Borgen mentioned.
She believes this system fills a crucial hole.
“The CMC Ski Group isn’t just a collegiate program; it’s a launchpad for native and nationwide athletes who may in any other case be priced out of the game,” she mentioned. “It’s a very good and vital instance of what’s attainable when native expertise is nurtured in the best setting.”
What’s Subsequent: A Neighborhood Occasion and a Name to Motion
CMC’s Steamboat campus hosts the subsequent main push on February seventh with the Skigle Soirée fundraiser and Winter Carnival fireworks watch celebration.
Supporters can donate to the “Save the Skigles” marketing campaign at: cmceagles.com/ski-team
With the beginning gate open and momentum constructing, the Skigles are charging towards a future they intend to safe effectively earlier than the ultimate deadline.
