On Saturday December 1st, five skiers from the Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont joined an enthusiastic crowd in a Winter Opener hosted by Montana State University and the Bohart Ranch. It was a cold and beautiful Montana day and the courses were in great shape. MSU's team uses the race as a small fund raiser, but mainly as a chance to give a good time to local young skiers. Short distance races are held and a prize table is heaped with wrapped presents gathered up by the MSU skiers from local businesses. The kids seemed to have a great time getting their prizes from Anders Folleraas, the ski team's Santa, and Montana's team, lead by Bernard Ronning (Eldar's younger brother) provided a tough lead pack on a course that starts climbing hard about 50 meters out of the start. In additon to Montana's team the field included Juniors from the always strong Bridger Ski Foundation. The Burke skiers, Dylan Pudiak, Lucas Milliken, Sam Tarling, Caitlin Curran, and Burke Alumna and now coach Carina Hamel, all did well and were grateful for the chance to go public with the new uniforms and to put in another hard effort at altitude.
It was a fun finishing touch to another first-class November camp in the mountain West. BMA says “Thanks and Happy Holidays” to Bohart Ranch and to the MSU Ski Team
