U.S. Ski & Snowboard honored several individuals and organizations that have impacted the world of elite skiing and snowboarding during the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Congress Awards. On an impressive list that included Lindsey Vonn, Jessie Diggins, and several US Ski Team coaches, the Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF) was recognized twice.
Bridger Ski Foundation received a Gold Award as the 2026 Development Club of the Year. U.S. Ski & Snowboard noted:
"Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF) delivered an exceptional 2025-26 season, highlighted by back-to-back U.S. Junior National Club Championships, 18 national qualifiers and 17 All-American honors from eight athletes. The program placed athletes on the international stage, with qualifiers heading to the World Cup circuit, U23 World Championships, U18 World Championships and U18 Nordic Nations trip."
BSF Program Directors Mike Papke (Freestyle) and Andrew Morehouse (Nordic) accepted the award in Park City, Utah, during the Annual Congress. BSF was one of two ski clubs in the U.S. to be recognized with a Gold Award this year. But Montana made another appearance on the award stage with former Butte mogul skier Bryon Wilson receiving the International Coach of the Year Award. Bryon noted that Mike Papke was his first moguls coach.
In the Sports Club Awards, BSF was also named 2026 Cross Country Club of the Year, alongside the following clubs:
2026 Alpine Club of the Year: Mt. Mansfield Academy
2026 Cross Country Club of the Year: Bridger Ski Foundation
2026 Freestyle Club of the Year: Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club
2026 Freeski Club of the Year: Waterville Valley BBTS
2026 Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Club of the Year: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
2026 Snowboard Club of the Year: Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club
Awards like this are a good reminder that success doesn't always come from the narrow window of performance. BSF's model of creating an accessible ski culture, focusing on mental health, team building, and keeping kids engaged creates a powerful community that motivates our young skiers to show up with a true love of sport. That model grows great skiers and great people. BSF is proud of all the behind-the-scenes work our coaches have done over the years to create this culture, to mentor every kid on an individual level, and to make BSF a place where kids can belong.
