What an opportunity! Kids get to meet four time Olympian and gold medalist Ted Ligety Sunday at Solitude. It highlights the conclusion of a series of ski and snowboarding lessons.

The event is called "Ski with Ted Day" and it wraps up the sessions in which YMCA kids learned to ski or ride -- or ski or ride better. The goal of the program is to get kids interested in outdoor sports and improve their health and fitness while they make new friends.

How it works

Each 5-week session includes UTA bus transportation, lift tickets, rental equipment, goggles (only for first time participants in the program), and helmets for a modest, affordable price.

Then there's an additional bonus day with rentals and lift tickets so kids can enjoy the snow, the mountain, and their new friends.

Kids age 7 to 17 can participate in the program, and this year there were more than 100 kids.

Organizations that make it possible

A number of organizations have collaborated to make this YMCA program with the catchy name of "Y I Ski" possible. Organizations include The YMCA, the National Winter Sports Education Foundation, Solitude, and the UTA.

"Solitude is committed to introducing snowsports to a diverse group of children and converting these kids into core skiers or riders," said Tim Wolfgram, Solitude's director of snowsports services. 

Kids love learning at Solitude / photo: courtesy of Solitude

Meet Ted

Ted Ligety will meet kids at 11 a.m. on the snow in front of the Snowsports Academy (Solitude's first entrance) on April 8.

Tips

People often don't know what to say when they meet a super star. You might want to think up a question to ask him, such as:

What's the best thing about being a racer?

What's your favorite breakfast?

Do you have a pet?

What's your favorite sport other than skiing?