The 1st Annual Retro Shred-a-Thon at Copper Mountain Raised $11,000!
Fundraising helps injured mountain athletes
As the snow fell from the sky on closing weekend at Copper Mountain, local skiers and boarders gathered in their best retro gear to “shred” in the name of philanthropy.
This was the scene at the very first Retro Shred-a-Thon presented byPhunkshun Wear. The event was hosted on Copper Mountain Center Villages most popular lift, American Eagle. Participants put on their best one-piece snowsuits, straight skis and retro boards to fundraise for the High Fives Foundation, a national non-profit based in Truckee, California that gives grants to athletes recovering from major injuries, such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries.
The High Fives Foundation has supported 104 Athletes in 24 states since it began in 2009, including summit county skier Kailyn Forsberg who suffered a spinal cord injury at Copper in 2015.
This year since January, the Foundation has distributed $91,000 in grant funding to athletes- seven of which call Colorado home.
The event was presented in conjunction with partners GoPro, Volkl, Kind Design and Smith.
The Shred-a-Thon concept started in Lake Tahoe in 2010 by boutique performance belt company Arcade Belts. It works like a winter version of a Relay for Life. Skiers and riders lap a lift as many times as they can with friends, family and like-minded philanthropists, all raising money for the cause.
The event coincided with Copper Mountain’s infamous Sunsation Weekend. The High Fives booth featured in center village was directly next to the stage where Far East Movement, Count Tutu and My Brothers Keeper featuring John Popper played. The weekend also featured Red Bulls Slope Soakers.
Prior to the event, all participants were encouraged to reach out amongst their own network for pledges and donations. All funds raised go directly to The High Fives Foundation and their efforts to support athletes that have suffered life-altering injuries. The day concluded with an award ceremony in Jack’s Bar.
Dedication was shown by all- but specifically Henrik Lampert, Editor-in-Chief of Freeskier magazine who took home the named award for the Most Laps. That award is now forever called the Lambo Laps award. Henrik completed an outstanding 40 laps on American Eagle.
“Bringing the success of our Ski-a-Thon to Colorado is a dream come true” says Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of High Fives Foundation. “Having the Retro theme made for a perfect way to welcome this inaugural event to the Colorado area.”
People were awarded for their fundraising, spirit and outstanding dedication to the mission of the foundation.
Award Winners
Best Retro Outfit – Tom Carr
Most Creative Team – I Love Awesomeness
Most High Fives – Jake Manley
Best Solo Fundraiser – Damon Redd
Best Duo – Barclay and Cooper Rappoport
Best Team – Phunkshun Wear
Most Ski Laps – Henrik Lampert
Raddest Kid – Noah aka Kid with Grandpa
#2 Solo Fundraiser – Jay Badgley
#3 Solo Fundraiser – Scott Loveless
#4 Solo Fundraiser – Greg Hydle
#5 Solo Fundraiser – Sally Francklyn
