Despite not having any snow on the mountain right now, you would be wrong to think that I don’t have any connection with the resort until opening day in December.  This past weekend we had the Park City Ski Town Lacrosse tournament. This was the largest attended tournament in its nine year history with a whopping 93 teams! There were teams from all over the west, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona to as far as Texas. This event is great for local businesses as it brings a number of out of town visitors (somewhere between 4,000- 4,500 people).

As my son’s lacrosse team, 212 Lacrosse, was in preparation for the tournament we got word that the head coach would be Brian Bilzi, none other than a Deer Valley ski instructor! I never knew we had a Division 1 defensive player on the ski slopes. Park City is home to top athletes in many sports. Mike Acee is the director of Park City’s 212 Lacrosse teams and a few of his accolades are All American, 4 time Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) Champion and NCAA national champion for the North Carolina Tar Heels (University of North Carolina) as their starting attack player. Park City’s 212 teams were very successful during the tournament, winning 23 games losing just four. Not a bad record, especially when that covers five different teams playing in different age groups! I have to take a minute to brag about the U11 boys’ team who won all of their games! Go Coach Brian and Mike!

Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the country! If you live in the Park City area and have children, you may want to head over to the website, 212lacrosse.com. I’m not sure who enjoys the games more, me or my sons… How lucky are we to have this type of coaching locally? Very.

Another Deer Valley connection during the tournament was Mountain Host Mike O’Malley. I remember running into him at last year’s Ski Town tournament and asking him what his connection was to it. He is a referee. Who would have thought?! This is no easy job for Mike. I was witness to some sideline antics!

And yet another Deer Valley connection…during the opening ceremonies, Deer Valley Ski Patrol Supervisor, Sue Anderson, addressed the players along with her avalanche dog, Ninja. They wished the players well and set the stage for competition.  So yes, I felt at home connected to our Deer Valley family off the slopes and on the lacrosse field!

 My second shout-out is that after spending 16 years skiing in Marker clothing I am welcoming a new opportunity with a new clothing sponsor. While I am sad to end my partnership with Marker, I am filled with excitement to work with Mountain Force. Have you heard of the brand, Mountain Force? If not, check out their website.

The clothing is made in Switzerland so the fit and stitching are perfect! (Just a little joke). These coats are a few of what you’ll see me in this winter. One of my goals with Mountain Force is to bring in crazy colored and patterned pants since they have more of a conservative look than you may be used to seeing on me. But don’t you worry; I have some bright color jackets that are really fun!

 

I see this relationship as a chance to be part of a new company for a long time. I hope to help in design and technical feedback. What a better way to improve something already top shelf but to have someone ski every day and put it to the test! I already believe it’s a product to trust and grow.  Check it out this fall at ColeSport.

See you on the slopes or at a lacrosse game!