Vail Mountain: February 21, 2015
On-snow fundraiser supports lifestyle empowerment programs
Can Do MS’s annual skiing extravaganza known as Vertical Express is returning to Vail, Colo. the weekend after the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. Skiers and riders can join together and participate in a variety of family-friendly, on-snow events to support Can Do MS’s lifestyle empowerment programs. The Vertical Express Vail event will take place on Vail Mountain on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. The Vail event is just one of five Vertical Express events being hosted at ski resorts across North America this season.
Skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities will have the opportunity to explore the entire mountain, participate in on-snow challenges and ski racing fans can test their speed at the Epic Mix Race Course. The event raises funds for Can Do MS, a locally based nonprofit and innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs that help families living with MS. Since its inception in 1985, Vertical Express for Can Do MS has raised more than $11 million and Can Do MS hopes to raise $50,000 at this year’s Vail event.
“Vertical Express is an event that truly ties fun together with the support and empowerment of our MS community,” said Heidi A. Heltzel, president and CEO of Can Do MS. “We’re thrilled to have five awesome resorts hosting the series this year, and to announce exciting upgrades and additions, such as more opportunities for adaptive ski experiences and easier to use online registration and fundraising tools to earn awesome new prizes. It’s going to be a lot of fun and a great way to support a local nonprofit!”
The five ski resorts hosting Vertical Express events are Vail, Crystal Mountain (Washington), Schweitzer Mountain (Idaho), Norway Mountain (Michigan) and Squaw Valley (California). Vail, Crystal and Squaw Valley will be offering Adaptive Ski Experiences for participants living with MS. Can Do MS is thrilled to provide people with MS and their support partners an opportunity to learn how to ski with adaptive instructors and equipment – for free! These experiences are designed to build self-esteem and confidence and improve fitness levels, while allowing participants a fun day on the slopes with their loved ones.
Event registration is only $25 and includes a swag bag, all on-mountain activities and Après Ski Party (lift ticket not included). Because Can Do MS offers free programs, the more funds that are raised at this event, the more people the nonprofit will be able to serve. This year, Can Do MS has partnered with Liberty Skis to offer the top individual fundraiser a brand new pair of skis of their choice! All participants also have the opportunity to raise additional funds and will receive $100 off a new pair of skis from Liberty Skis. Also, the top overall fundraiser will receive a free trip to Vail for two during the 2015-2016 ski season. This prize includes three-nights lodging for two, round trip ground transportation to and from Denver International Airport (airfare not included), two 2-day lift tickets and two restaurant gift certificates.
For more information on Vail or to register for any of the Vertical Express events, visit www.mscando.org/verticalexpress.
2015 Vail Vertical Express Event: Schedule of Events
Friday, Feb. 20, 2015
4-7p.m. – Registration and packet pickup at Venture Sports (100 W. Beaver Creek Blvd., Avon, CO 81620)
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015
8-10 a.m. – Registration at The Tavern patio in Lionshead
10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Epic Mix Race Course
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – On-Mountain Scavenger Hunt
3 p.m. – Group Ski Down (meet at top of Simba Run, will be renamed Jimmie Heuga Express for the day)
Ski down Jimmie Heuga Express to Après Ski Party
3:30 -7 p.m. – Après Ski Party & Raffle (5 p.m.) – El Sabor/Lionshead
2015 Can Do MS Vertical Express Event Series
Norway Mountain, MI
Feb. 7, 2015
www.mscando.org/norway
Vail, CO
Feb. 21, 2015
www.mscando.org/vail
Crystal Mountain, WA
Feb. 28, 2015
www.mscando.org/crystal
Schweitzer Mountain, ID
March 7, 2015
www.mscando.org/schweitzer
Squaw Valley, CA
March 14, 2015
www.mscando.org/squaw
The Vertical Express for Can Do MS national gold sponsor is Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The national adaptive sponsor is Genzyme, a Sanofi company. The national silver sponsor is Biogen Idec. The corporate team sponsor is Teva Neuroscience. Supporting national sponsors include Chums; Grabber Warmers; Liberty Skis and Swany America. Local sponsors include El Sabor Restaurant; Loaded Joes Coffeehouse; Tavern on the Square, Town of Vail; TV8 Vail/Beaver Creek; United Way, Vail Daily and Venture Sports.
About Can Do MS
A national nonprofit organization based in Avon, Colo., Can Do MS is an innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs that empower people with MS and their support partners to transform and improve their quality of life. For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.mscando.org or call 970-926-1290.
About Vertical Express for Can Do MS
Vertical Express for Can Do MS began when Can Do MS founder Jimmie Heuga organized the first Snow Express for MS in Alyeska, AK. Original participants included fellow world-class skiers Jean Claude Killy, Phil and Steve Mahre, Billy Kidd, Stein Eriksen and Bernhard Russi, who together broke records when they skied one million vertical feet in 24 hours. This event raised the seed money needed to start Can Do MS and it continues to be an important fundraiser for the organization.