Share the love of the slopes

Powderhorn Mountain Resort works to break the financial limitations which stand against first time skiers.

Story By: Julia Blanchette, Sacred Spaces Editor

Photos By: Olivia Pelaez

Bob Beverly. A powerful name within the history of Powderhorn Mountain Resort. Beverly was a Colorado native, born and raised in Steamboat Springs. He began skiing at age 3 and concluded his last ski season when he was nearly 90 years old. Beverly took part in founding Powderhorn, the Western Slope ski resort in Mesa, Colorado. He had a passion for making skiing accessible for all to enjoy, regardless of financial restrictions. After his passing, the Bob Beverly program was established in his honor. 

The Bob Beverly Program offers ski lessons to those who have never skied before. These lessons are nearly free of charge and also include gear rentals. The program consists of three separate lessons, which last for a duration of two hours each. 

“There is lots of research which advocates for trying an activity three times because the likelihood of sticking with the sport increases,” Powderhorn Ski Instructor Kate Belknap said. “People also only know enough to be dangerous on the slopes after a singular lesson so offering three lessons through the program mediates this risk.” 

While reserving lesson time slots, participants are charged a fee of $19. This deposit is charged in order to hold organized reservations and desired equipment for each session. The deposit is given back to participants after the lesson has concluded and rented gear has been returned. 

If participants within the program complete all three lessons within one singular season, they become eligible to purchase a “Rookie Season Pass.” This pass is heavily discounted, sitting at roughly $69. This pass enables the newest editions to the ski community to ski at any point throughout the season at Powderhorn. 

Program participants are also offered a second season pass at a reduced rate, considered a sophomore pass. This pass is only retrievable the next winter season after the completion of the program and costs $200. 

A season pass at Powderhorn typically costs, at most, $700, according to the resort’s official pricing guide. Season passes do not include gear rentals or purchases. 

Bob Beverly aimed to diminish the financial barrier which stopped people from learning to ski. He himself was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame for his work in pioneering new ski programs. This was done shortly after concluding 22 years of operation on Powderhorn’s original board of directors. 

Many may be hesitant to spend hundreds of dollars to give skiing a try due to the possibility of not enjoying the sport. 

“I moved from California to attend Colorado Mesa University and little did I know, I picked a college which was located in a prime location for outdoor activities,” Jasmine Resvaloso said. “In an area so engaged in outdoor activities, I was pushed to try skiing for my first time and I did so through the Bob Beverly program.”  

Since the program’s original opening in 2019, the resort has catered to roughly 3,000 new skiers and snowboarders, according to the resort’s official program details. 

“I have always known skiing is incredibly expensive, but trying it through the Bob Beverly program completely lifted that restraint off my shoulders,” Resvaloso said. “After completing my three lessons, I found that I liked skiing and wanted to learn more, so I purchased the discounted pass. 

The Bob Beverly program has successfully worked to make skiing accessible to all upon the dreams of the late Bob Beverly.