If Winter Park Resort could harness the energy of legendary Fraser, Colo., mayor Peggy Smith (Rec’73), the resort could probably run at least one of its 25 ski lifts off it. Fraser is down the road from Winter Park, and Peggy was one of more than 100 Forever Buffs who showed up for our second annual CU Ski Day at Winter Park on Feb. 2.
It was one of those perfect, bluebird Colorado days with six inches of fresh powder on the slopes. After the lifts shut down, Peggy greeted the crowd at our aprés ski event, showing off the most beautiful skis I’ve ever seen. Sold by Steamboat Springs, Colo., resident Don McLean (Bus’77), the skis have images of Ralphie and the Flatirons engraved into the hardwood tops. With state funding to the university at an all-time low, Don decided to create a business while giving back to the university. Twenty percent of the purchase price goes to the CU ski team and athletic department. Check them out at www.collegeskis.com.
Don’s daughter, Shane McLean, is on the ski team, and Peggy’s son Spencer Nelson was one of the team’s top alpine skiers as a freshman in 2010. He died tragically after falling while hiking the Maroon Bells in August that year. An avid outdoorsman, he actually mountain biked 40 miles from Winter Park over Rollins Pass to campus for his first day of school.
I am struck by how deeply Peggy and Don’s commitment to CU runs through their families. We all carry CU inside of us, but those two challenge us to be more engaged. Start by joining us next year at CU Ski Day at Winter Park!
