Buddy Werner League - Vail/Beaver Creek

The Buddy Werner League pays tribute to the legend of Steamboat native, Buddy Werner by providing a recreational ski race program that strengthens young skiers. Participants ski with volunteer coaches and others in their age group and ability level for 10 days in Beaver Creek.

Testimonials

"As a 16 year veteran of the BWL Board, I have seen many people come through our program. I think the biggest asset to anyone who knows the program is the commitment and dedication of people who volunteer for our program. Our volunteer coaches are committed to our skiers no matter what the conditions bring us. There are even a few coaches with no kids in the program any longer. Our parent volunteers are also a big part of our program success and continue to give back to our program with their time each year. Couple that with the smiles produced weekly on the course, in the lift lines, at lunch, and at the end of the day, and I don't think there is any greater reward on the ski hill for so many people. Thanks to VR for their continued support in helping to produce those smiles, and building quality skiers of every ability level."
- Tom Davies, BWL Board Member - 16 years

"Thanks for an amazing year!! Our son grew so much and had a wonderful time... and you helped us feel like family!! We can't wait till next year!!
- Parent of an 8-year old boy

"Upon moving to the Vail Valley with my young boys we immediately found the Buddy Werner League and joined in. First as a Coach volunteer and later as a Board member, I have found BWL's dedication not only to ski racing, but to developing the local youth to be all mountain skiers, good sports in all their efforts (not just skiing) and to be good ambassadors to all visiting our wonderful mountains and the Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas.

After my boys grew out of the BWL program, I found the camaraderie of the many locals who take pride in volunteering their time, efforts and resources to be too good to leave. Now having been on the BWL Board for many years since my boys left the program, I enjoy seeing the many youth coming up through the program, moving on to high school racing and even if not they develop a life long love of skiing and our mountains.

With the great effort of so many of our local residents, as well as the great support of Vail Resorts, BWL has produced not only many good racers, but so many life long skiers, parents that go on to volunteer in so many other local efforts and an innumerable smiles and contagious good will on the mountain to all visitors to Beaver Creek and Vail ski mountains."
- Michael Dunlevie, BWL Board member - 19 years

"Thanks for another fantastic season! I hear from my parents how much their kids love coming to ski with our team. But what they don't know is I love it more! I just can't say enough wonderful things about the BWL! "
Laura Merlihan, BWL Coach - 6 years

"This [BWL] program fills a need in our community. It brings so many together. It teaches so much more than ski racing and skiing skills. It teaches them responsibility. It teaches sportsmanship. It teaches grit, how dig deep down and do what needs to be done and then do a little more. It teaches compassion for teammates, coaches, and volunteers who are out there helping and giving their all. I believe every kid who participates walks away with so much more than just skiing better. I am proud to be a part of an organization that can offer these lifetime lessons to our youth. Life is not all about winning or losing it's what we take from it by participating. I know that as a parent and board member I cherish all that my daughter and other children will learn by participating in BWL. I know that none of this could be accomplished without the help of you and other organizations who willing give to us. It would not be what it is without the support of all the volunteers, from coaching, to lunchtime monitoring, to the enthusiasm of the board members.

Last year's accomplishments with BWL included being able to give back to our skiers in the form of a college scholarship, not just one, but two. This is in no small part to your support and the support of our families. This has been one of our goals and we hope to continue this yearly from here on out. I hope you are as proud of our program as we are. It makes me smile to see the love of skiing in so many, the drive to do ski better, to do better and the compassion and goodwill of everyone involved in BWL, and selfishly, I am so happy to have a daughter who rips it up on the mountain! "
- Danielle Steiner - BWL Board Member - 3 years; BWL Parent - 4 years

"Thank you for everything! We so enjoyed our experience with you and we made memories and friends of a lifetime."
- Parent of an 8th grade girl