HISTORY

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. Under Coach Swayer’s tutelage, a number of athletes from the club mad their mark at the divisional and regional level, with multiple alumni moving on to ski at lager clubs in the Salt Lake and Ogden valleys.

Beaver Mountain Ski Team athletes at Sun Valley, Idaho during the team’s inaugural season in January 1985. Back row, left to right: Jack Keith, Ben Keith, Ingrid Cooper. Middle row, left to right: Susie Hoover, Chad McBride, JJ Hoover, Brandon Cooper. Front row, left to right: Jason McBride, unknown, Corey McBride.

Club Revitalization

Ski Team Flier for the 2005 season

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 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014. Under Coach Birkner’s guidance, Beaver Mountain Ski Team established itself as a launching pad for elite-level alpine ski racers.

Cache Valley Ski Team athletes at a race at Brighton Resort in 2017

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. Cherry Peak, a small, 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.

The Modern Era

In 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Travis Dorsch became the third Alpine Program Director of Cache Valley Ski Team. With the majority of its athletes having graduated, left the sport, or transitioned to larger teams, the club embarked on a multi-year rebuilding process. By 2023, tuition-paying members had risen from 8 to 40 and the team was once again competing for podiums with larger teams from across the region. The 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.

Cache Valley Ski Team athletes at Cherry Peak Resort in 2021

In 2025, the team returned to its origins by realigning with Beaver Mountain, the nation’s oldest continuously owned and family-operated ski area, 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.

Beaver Mountain Ski Team athletes at Beaver Mountain in 2026

A Tradition of Excellence

Since 1997 (the beginning of US Ski & Snowboard’s online record-keeping), members of Beaver Mountain Ski Team have earned 26 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 has accumulated 67 overall podium finishes and 187 overall top-ten finishes.

Alex Birkner racing at Sun Valley in 2017

Members of the team have earned 64 age group victories, with Bridger Dorsch (16 age group wins) leading the way. In that same period, the team has accumulated 129 age group podium finishes and 329 age group top-ten finishes.

Bridger Dorsch racing Cache Valley Cup in 2025

Since 2021 (the extent of Intermountain Division’s online record-keeping), members of Beaver Mountain Ski Team have earned 18 spots in Intermountain Division championship events. Josie Dorsch leads the way, having earned four consecutive qualifications to Intermountain Division Championships in 2023 (37th seed), 2024 (7th seed), 2025 (5th seed) and 2026 (3rd seed).

Josie Dorsch racing at Snowbird in 2024

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