FasterSkier

Tag: Hal Stanley

  • Crosscut Mountain Sports Center Acquires Bohart Ranch Property

    (Press release)

    BOZEMAN, Mont. — On June 2, local non-profit Crosscut Mountain Sports Center (CMSC) announced closing on the long- awaited acquisition of Bohart Ranch in Bridger Canyon. This landmark deal represents a commitment to continuing the Nordic skiing legacy at Bohart Ranch that Bozeman residents have cherished since the 1980s.

    “After nearly sixty years of skiing in Bridger Canyon, it’s really special to see this legacy of mountain recreation continue,” said Cliff Montagne, longtime Bozeman resident and CMSC Board member. “It’s an honor to have a role in this once-in-a-lifetime project.”

    Bohart Ranch is one of two iconic Bridger Canyon properties that CMSC plans to assemble in 2017. When conjoined, this iconic property will comprise over 500 acres adjacent to the Bridger Bowl Ski Area, and will include a network of trails for non-motorized outdoor recreation and mountain sports.

    Hal Stanley, CMSC Board member who grew up skiing at Bridger Bowl, sees this project as the Nordic equivalent. “CMSC has everything it takes to be as successful and as important to the Gallatin Valley as Bridger Bowl has been,” said Stanley. “I’m excited to give back to the community and look forward to working with other community members who want to help shape this vision.”

    While CMSC has raised close to half of the funds necessary to acquire the two properties through cash donations and pledges, there remains the need for continued philanthropic support. CMSC plans to exercise on their remaining Crosscut Ranch purchase agreement by year-end, with the aim to start designing new facilities in 2018.

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    “It is the generous support of the Bozeman community that has allowed us to take this major first step, and this support is critical to ultimately see this project through. Investing in Bohart Ranch is an investment in outdoor recreation now and for future generations,” said Lowell Bailey, CMSC’s Executive Director. “Now that we own the land, we can truly begin to think about how to design a venue that will best serve the community for decades to come. We look forward to working closely with Bridger Bowl and other partners to create a mountain venue that serves all ages and abilities.”

    In 2017, CMSC’s focus will be on maintaining Bohart Ranch’s Nordic ski trails and connecting this network to new trails on Crosscut Ranch. Together, these properties will encompass a total of over 50 kilometers of groomed, tracked trails for skate and classic skiing. Bohart Ranch will be the home-site for both the Bridger Biathlon Club (BBC) and U.S. Paralympic Nordic and Biathlon Teams.

    “I grew up training at places like Lone Mountain Ranch where community members and Olympic hopefuls overlapped on the ski trails everyday,” said Kari Swenson, former U.S. Biathlon Team member and BBC Board member. “That’s unique, and it’s a valuable experience for novices and experts alike. I look forward to working to help deliver the Crosscut Mountain Sports Center vision on behalf of our community.”

  • $5,000 donation from Hal Stanley, a longtime contributor, boosts NNF fundraising past $40,000

    Hal Stanley, of Bozeman, MT, has made a generous donation of $5,000 to the National Nordic Foundation’s 2011 Cross Country Pillar Projects to help tomorrow’s stars today.

    Hay Stanley states, “Other than the US Ski Team, NNF is the only National Organization representing and helping fund Nordic Skiing in the US.  I feel that our US Nordic athlete system kind of drops the ball on supporting and developing athletes beyond Junior Programs and College Programs.  Basically if an athlete wants to continue racing in their mid to late twenties there is very little support other than a handful of club elite programs.  Endurance athletes do not reach their prime until their late 20s or early 30s.  The factory team programs were very helpful, but now they are pretty much gone.  The USSA Nordic Ski Teams are only supporting a handful of elite racers. As a result I believe we lose talented skiers because they can’t afford to continue racing and living in poverty.  Also, given the path potential athletes see and the odds of making the US Team, many never even pursue it.

    “I love Nordic skiing and racing and think it is a fantastic sport for people of all abilities to pursue.  I feel if the US had stronger elite programs and more high level racers competing and doing well against international competition, there would be more interest and participation in the sport, more money from donors and sponsors, and ultimately more success.  Over the years that I have contributed to NNF, most of my contributions have gone to help skiers in these ages.  NNF also helps junior athletes who qualify for Scando Cup and World Juniors.  In many cases, these young people and their families could not afford to attend without NNF’s support.  These are the skiers who have potential for being the elite athletes we need.  International competition should help them develop and see the rewards for their hard work.  Additionally, in some of the years that I helped with these programs, the US Ski Team was not even funding these competitions or the coaches who were needed to send a team.  I don’t have enough money to try to have an impact on the US Ski Team’s efforts in Nordic racing, so NNF is a great vehicle for me to target my donations to where I think they are needed.”

    National Nordic Foundation Director Dave Knoop states, “Hal gets it. The entire Nordic community should be extremely thankful for Hal’s ongoing contributions to the NNF and US Nordic Skiing.  Furthermore the Bridger Ski Foundation’s Nordic Committee, on which Hal serves, has just placed an order for 210 NNF fundraising Calendars. There sales will return a $2000 profit for BSF and an additional profit for NNF that will both go back into supporting tomorrow’s stars today.   Hals “gold level” contribution boosts the NNF’s fall fundraising campaign to over $40,000  in donations that will be invested in the NNF’s Cross Country or Nordic Combined Pillar Projects. “