Skiing, Snowboarding and Sun make SnoFest a success

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Stacy Foster
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
Keystone, Colo. --  More than 3,000 people dotted the slopes of Dercum Mountain at Keystone resort for the 20th Annual SnoFest weekend Jan. 29-31.

Hosted by Force Support Squadrons from the Air Force Academy, Buckley, F.E. Warren, Peterson and Schriever Air Force Bases, SnoFest features activities for the military and their families.

Events included skiing and snowboarding races, a cardboard derby race, where individuals and groups could build a cardboard sled and race it down a hill, and two nights of family-friendly themed parties.

There were categories for all types of racers, ranging from children to adults. For Col. Edward Baron, 50th Mission Support Group commander, it was a family affair, as his family placed in several events.

Colonel Baron's wife, Sally, and daughters, Heide and Madelyn, all placed first in their respective ski divisions. Colonel Baron posted the fifth best time overall for the Saturday races.

"My wife was on a ski team in college and my daughter Madelyn has been on a ski team in the area," said Colonel Baron. "This is the ninth SnoFest we've attended and I've even flown from California to attend when I was stationed there."

More than 800 people attended the Friday night "Ice Age" party, where attendees wore their winter's warmest to brave the frigid atmosphere of the resort's community center ballroom.

"The party was great, they had tons of free activities for the kids and gave away lots of prizes," said Master Sgt. Cassandra Bushyeager, 50th Force Support Squadron. "The atmosphere was cool too. They carved the bar out of ice."

SnoFest kicked into high gear on Saturday, as the multitudes took to the slopes for a day of skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Chambliss, 50th Mission Support Group, said this wasn't his first trip, but was the first time he braved the ski lift to the top of the mountain.

"In the past, I was learning on the bunny slopes, but this year I wanted to tackle the mountain," he said. "I fell a couple times, but I got back up and proved to myself I could make it."

Sergeant Chambliss and his wife said their favorite part of the day was the snowboarding, but they also enjoyed dining at the various restaurants throughout the resort village.

"The food was awesome and the views were great," Sergeant Chambliss said.

As the afternoon came to an end and people made their way to the parking lots, others were putting the finishing touches on their cardboard sled for the crowd favorite, the cardboard derby race.

Participants began at the top of the hill in one of two lanes, and at the sound of the horn, raced down the snow-covered hill to a spray-painted target at the bottom. The sled that came to a stop closest to the target earned bragging rights for the weekend.

Creativity ran rampant throughout the competition as participants crafted such designs as a Spongebob boat, school buses, Apache helicopters and other aircraft.

"It was amazing to me that they were able to be so creative with limited supplies," said Sergeant Bushyeager. "I think the crowd favorite was the Spongebob boat."

The second party of the weekend, a "family game night" themed party, followed the derby race. Adults played casino-style games, while children played their own card games such as UNO and Go Fish. Others took in the night life offered by the resort village.

"We really enjoyed the atmosphere of the village," said Sergeant Chambliss. "The night life was fun and everyone was so friendly."

Sunday was a family day, as there were no events planned for the last day of SnoFest.

"Sometimes it's great to get away and just leave work behind you for a weekend," Sergeant Chambliss said. "It was great to spend the weekend with friends and just have some fun."