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Braving the storm to ski 24 hours for a good cause

Reported by: Katherine Underwood
Email: katherineunderwood@fox23news.com
Videographer: P. Busa    
Print Story Published: 5:02 pm

It was quite a feat - skiing 24 hours straight at Maple Ski Ridge. They skied right through the night, and even through the storm, to raise money to help fight heart disease.

The sun came out just in time for the skiers to finish up 24 hours on the slopes, but they say last night was treacherous, rain, sleet, and bitter cold. Still, they say that's nothing compared to the heartache of losing a loved one to heart disease.

“They did a wonderful job all night long, I am very proud of all of them,” explained Sue Taylor whose daughter Lyndsey was skiing.
For this year's “Ridge Goes Red Ski-a-Thon,” Lyndsey put together “Team 55” in honor of her grandfather who died from heart disease when he was just 55 years old.

“Every time she goes up, she knows who she's doing it for, and knows that he's watching,” Taylor said.

This is the eighth year Maple Ski Ridge has hosted the event.

“They put their heart into this and it’s so inspiring especially at this young age,” explained Kathy McCarthy with the American Heart Association.

Thirty two skiers, including eight-year-old Jacob, skied through some dangerous conditions overnight.

“It was cold, harsh, stormy,” Jacob said.

This group of teenagers and young adults braved the storm to join the fight against America’s No. 1 killer.

“It's not just for us, it’s for other people who need help, so that's what we're here to do,” said snowboarder Josh Butler.

This year's event raised $3,000 that will go directly to the American Heart Association to help fund research.