Dear Editor,

Thank you to Eldora and BVSD for a successful 2024 Ned SHRED Snow.

Over three weeks in late January and early February, Eldora hosted the Nederland Elementary School’s Kindergarten through 5th grade students for Ned SHRED Snow. For a very affordable price, which was backed up by scholarships for folks as needed, most all the students from the Nederland Elementary School (NES) experienced two days up at Eldora. Included were ski and snowboard lessons from Eldora Ski & Ride School Instructors, and if needed, gear rental and lift tickets.

Thank you to the NES Staff and to the Ned SHRED Snow Volunteers (mostly NES parents and PTA members) who helped direct traffic, get kids outfitted and dressed, made sure the kids ate lunch, and served as snow sweepers with the groups on the hill.

We had a full range of weather from mild to windy, sunny to snowy, warm to cold, and the kids all seemed to have a lot of fun. I was lucky to be able to volunteer for three of the six days as my kids are in NES.

Eldora also hosted the Front Range Regional Winter Games for the Special Olympics for one of the days that Ned SHRED Snow was there.

Eldora also hosts the Nederland Middle School’s and Nederland High School’s (NMSHS) Alpine and Nordic Ski Teams. I coach the Nederland Middle School Nordic Team.

As mayor, I have been actively working to improve the relationship with Eldora on many fronts. Over the years, I have seen so many ski areas and neighboring towns work against each other, versus with each other, and I am trying to improve the Nederland Community’s relationship with Eldora, so we can work together more for mutual benefit.

As a father, I appreciate Eldora’s support of our kids at NES and NMSHS. As a coach, I appreciate Eldora making it possible for NMSHS to have intramural and competitive ski teams. As a skier, I appreciate having a ski area 4.5 miles from our town. As a community member, I appreciate the resource that Eldora can be.

Eldora is an important part of our community. They provide a lot of jobs and bring tourists through and into town. Though we sometimes have challenges, there are also lots of opportunities, and this is a relationship to be built upon. We appreciate Eldora supporting our schools and our community in many ways and look forward to continued collaborations.

Mayor Billy Giblin

Nederland