Our Roots
Beaver Mountain Ski Team was founded in 1985 by four families from Logan, Utah — the Coopers, Keiths, Hoovers, and McBrides. Several of these families were already deeply connected to the mountain, with parents serving on the Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol or as instructors in the Beaver Mountain Ski School. In its first year, the team consisted of ten athletes under the guidance of Coach Jay Sawyer. As Coach Sawyer later recalled, “I initially brought together all of the instructor and patrol kids because they were causing trouble on the mountain, and no one could push them enough to keep them out of trouble.” Channeling their energy into competition quickly revealed the athletes’ potential. In the 1980s, Beaver Mountain hosted a town challenge race series, where the new team made an immediate impact, entering the races and consistently outperforming the field. Recognizing their talent, Coach Sawyer encouraged the parents to take the next step: competing on the Intermountain circuit against established programs from Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sun Valley, and Jackson. The team’s debut at the South Series races was nothing short of remarkable. Parents and coaches from other programs were overheard asking, “Who is this Beaver Mountain Ski Team?” after four of the athletes placed in the top five. That breakout performance marked the beginning of a tradition of excellence at Beaver Mountain. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Modern Era
From 2005 to 2020, Beaver Mountain Ski Team thrived under the leadership of coach Ignacio Birkner, producing several standout athletes who competed on national and international stages. Among them was Alex Birkner, who rose through the ranks with appearances at the United States National Junior Championships (2015–2016), the U.S. National Championships (2016), and later competed in the Far East Cup and South American Cup in 2017. His continued development saw him race in the North American Cup circuit from 2017 to 2023 and represent the University of Colorado from 2019 to 2023. Brian Davidson also made his mark, qualifying for the U.S. National Junior Championships in 2014 and going on to compete in the U.S. National Championships and the North American Cup during 2016–2017, as well as the European Cup in 2016. Conor Lyne, another product of the program, reached the pinnacle of the sport with multiple appearances at the World Cup and World Championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), and notably represented Ireland at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Under Coach Birkner’s guidance, Beaver Mountain Ski Team established itself as a launching pad for elite-level alpine ski racers.
A Growing Footprint
In 2015, with the opening of Cherry Peak Resort in northern Utah, Beaver Mountain Ski Team embraced a new era by rebranding as Cache Valley Ski Team, reflecting its expanded presence across the region. Cherry Peak, a smaller, family-owned resort located near Richmond, Utah, brought new weeknight training opportunities and ease of accessibility to athletes, complementing the team’s long-standing partnership with Beaver Mountain, Utah’s oldest continuously owned and family-operated ski area. Nestled in Logan Canyon, Beaver Mountain, known for its deep snow, welcoming atmosphere, and strong community roots, had served as the team’s home for decades. Cache Valley Ski Team retained its name and dual-mountain operations through the 2024–25 season, continuing to produce high-caliber athletes while fostering youth development across both venues. In 2025, the team returned to its origins by realigning with Beaver Mountain and re-establishing its original name, a move that honored its legacy and reaffirmed its commitment to the mountain where its tradition of excellence began.
A Tradition of Excellence
Since 1997 (the extent of online record-keeping), members of Beaver Mountain Ski Team have earned 25 OVERALL victories at U.S. Ski & Snowboard races. Alex Birkner is the team record-holder, having secured five overall race wins. In that same period, the team accumulated 61 overall podium finishes and 187 overall top-ten finishes.
Members of the team have earned 58 AGE GROUP victories, with Alex Birkner and Bridger Dorsch (7 wins each) leading the way. In that same period, the team accumulated 111 age group podium finishes and 314 age group top-ten finishes.
Since 2021 (the extent of online record-keeping), members of Beaver Mountain Ski Team have earned 10 spots in Intermountain Division championship events. Josie Dorsch leads the way, having earned three consecutive qualifications to Intermountain Division Championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025.