Ski Ball To Honor 20 National Championship Teams, Eldora Mountain Resort

BOULDER—The 49th Annual Ski Ball, the Colorado Ski Team's annual fundraiser, is set to take place on Sept. 13 and will honor CU's 20 National Championship Teams as well as see the Buffs training area, Eldora Mountain Resort, recognized as this year's Mountain of Honor recipient.

Just one year short of a half-century, the Ski Ball is happening earlier than it has in the past. Usually in October, this year the event will take place Friday, Sept. 13 ahead of the football team's game with Air Force the following day. The Buffs will honor all 20 of its National Championship teams that night.

Eldora Mountain Resort has been the Buffs main training area for most of the team's existence. The Mountain of Honor was created by coach Richard Rokos to recognize and celebrate those skiers and friends of the ski team who have made great contributions to the program.

Eldora, just 20 miles west of Boulder and one of the few ski resorts on the east side of the Continental Divide, has been home to the Buffs training grounds for more than 50 years. This off season, the resort is making changes to the resort that will enable the Buffs to have more flexibility in both academic and athletic training schedules.

"The relationship we currently have with Eldora is one of the highlights of my 30-plus years of coaching," CU coach Richard Rokos said. "In the early spring the CU Ski Ball Committee voted unanimously to recognize the 50-plus year relationship by making them the recipient of the Mountain of Honor award."

Rokos, who will become just the third individual to coach a team for 30 or more seasons when the Buffs hit the snow for the 2020 season, is making efforts to aide Eldora in the fundraising to enhance CU's training area at Eldora. Improvements will include adding lights and expanding the existing slalom arena to handle a giant slalom course. Both are things will give the ski team much needed flexibility with their training and academic schedule. Longer term plans include adding a new lift and building that will serve both for utility and locker rooms.

Ski Ball To Honor 20 National Championship Teams, Eldora Mountain Resort

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