Team AVSC News

About Whitt Miller 

This year’s recipient Whitt Miller has been with Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard program for seven years, and he has been snowboarding for 10 years since he was five years old.  He currently competes in Halfpipe and Slopestyle at the FIS level. Whitt loves traveling with his AVSC team to different states to compete against other great athletes, and he appreciates how much his coaches have helped him become the snowboarder he is today. 

“Being a part of the AVSC program means representing my team, coaches, and community with the core values of AVSC: commitment, teamwork, and integrity,” Whit says. “Being a part of AVSC also means having a lot of fun and becoming a better snowboarder.”  

Whitt is deeply honored to be this year’s scholarship recipient. “It is validation to me that hard work pays off," he says. “I hope to honor Teddy and the snowboarder he was by working my hardest and being a positive part of the snowboarding community here and wherever I get to travel to ride and compete.”  

Whit beleives his work ethic, love for snowboarding, recent accomplishments in competitions, and desire to be a good human being led to his being chosen for the award. He plans to use the scholarship to cover entry fees for Futures Tour and Rev Tour competitions. “These competitions have great snowboarders from the US and around the world. If I want to become the best snowboarder that I can be, I need to compete against the best.”  
 

About Teddy Karlinksi

Teddy Karlinksi was a long-time AVSC athlete who died tragically at the age of 28 in 2016 from complications due to an epileptic seizure. Teddy’s passion for snowboarding was nurtured for years through AVSC where he sharpened his skills, traveled, made friends, helped others, amassed many awards and wins and had a lot of fun. During his time with AVSC, Teddy honed his riding techniques, perfected park tricks and gained competition savvy under the tutelage of his coaches. He went on to become a leading Aspen High School snowboarder, earning 4 varsity letters. After high school, Teddy traveled the world professionally and successfully competed in world class events. He returned to the valley to work as a beloved AVSC snowboard coach as well.   

“I grew up with Teddy in AVSC and he was one of my best friends in and out of the snowboard world," said Whit’s Snowboard coach Eric Angus. “We traveled, competed, and snowboarded together throughout our careers. His talent, passion, and support for his community was unparalleled. I see many of these qualities in Whit, as well as natural style and talent on snow. Teddy would be proud to see his legacy carried on by young athletes like Whit, and it’s an honor to be along for the ride as a coach.”  

Learn more about the Teddy Karlinksi Scholarship, the generous Karlinksi family, Teddy, and how to apply here. 

Above: Whitt Miller, Suzy Karlinksi, and Oliver Pullis, the golf recipient for 2025, at the award ceremony earlier this year. Below: First two shots: Teddy Karlinksi competing. Last two photos Whitt Miller competing.


 

This year’s recipients were selected from an athlete applicant pool comprised almost entirely of summer athletes, with 90 percent of applicants hailing from summer sports. The applications represented a balanced mix of male and female competitors spanning both Olympic (34) and Paralympic (19) disciplines.

“Tori, Ezra, Keith and Jeffrey embody the many ways Team USA athletes uplift and strengthen their communities,” said USOPF President Christine Walshe. “With Comcast’s partnership and the generosity of our donor community, we’re investing in the programs these athletes lead — from holistic wellness retreats and adaptive sport clinics to youth development and second-chance pathways — so their impact extends far beyond competition.”

Meet the 2025 Team USA Community Champions

Keith Gabel serves on the board of the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club, which provides kids in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley with opportunities to grow as athletes and individuals through winter sports. Gabel, a two-time Paralympic medalist in snowboarding, helps ensure that every child, regardless of financial means, can access top-tier coaching, facilities and support to pursue their goals.
 

Ezra Frech, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, founded Angel City Sports with his father, Clayton, in 2013. The organization provides free adaptive sports opportunities for youth, veterans and adults in Southern California. Today, through the Angel City Alliance, the organization hosts the annual Angel City Games and more than 250 clinics each year, delivering over 4,000 athlete experiences and building a vibrant, inclusive community for adaptive athletes.

“Receiving this award is deeply meaningful, and it reflects the collective efforts of our entire community to make adaptive sports accessible to all,” said Frech. “I’m honored to share this recognition with peers who are equally dedicated to creating opportunities for others. Thank you to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation and Comcast for helping us grow our impact even further.”

Breaking Olympian Jeffrey Louis, known in his sport as Bboy Jeffro, works with Houston reVision to transform the lives of children in Harris County, Texas. Aiming to break the cycle of juvenile justice system involvement and homelessness, the organization connects young people with mentors and positive peers while providing life-changing resources and opportunities for artistic expression.

Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast awards grants on an annual basis. To learn more about the program or award recipients, please visit www.usopc.org/team-usa-community-champions and www.teamusa.com/team-usa-community-champions-award.
 

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About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Team USA athletes on and off the field of play. As the fundraising arm of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the USOPF generates philanthropic support to empower Team USA athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence and well-being. Since its inception in 2013, the USOPF has raised more than $575 million for Team USA athletes and programs, significantly contributing to the success of U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and hopefuls.  One hundred percent of all donations to the USOPF go to athletes and the programs that support them. To learn more, visit usopc.org.

After the race, the celebration begins with one of the best après party scenes of the holiday season from 3-7 p.m. The après party includes a silent auction, delicious apps and bites, additional festivities, and live music to get the dance vibe going. 

“The Audi Ajax Cup is one of those days that really captures the heart of Aspen,” said Ash Farrington, Stewardship Director. “Since the 1930s, AVSC has grown up alongside Aspen. Whether you’re a guest in town for the holidays or a local who grew up in the club and now has athletes here, this is an opportunity to show up to honor winter sports and AVSC‘s important mission of youth access. The celebration is a vibrant reminder of who we are as a community, what we cherish, and why we give back to this incredible cause.”  

All funds raised from this event go into a general scholarship fund benefiting all AVSC programs and athletes. 

NEW THIS YEAR: 

More Tiers of Tickets: AVSC is offering several different tiers of tickets this year to welcome the community to participate and share in the fun of this vital fundraising event. 

• On-sale Nov. 11: Combo Ticket. The best deal is a Combo Ticket that includes access to both the race (see Race Ticket below for details) and the Après After Party (see Après Ticket below). The early-bird discounted price is $349 (ages 21+ to purchase). 

• On-sale Nov. 18: Après Party-Only Ticket. Holiday revelers can enjoy the après party at the St. Regis Aspen with an early-bird price of $299 (ages 21+ to purchase). This ticket includes delicious apps and bites, cocktails and beverages, live music, festivities, and a silent auction. 

• On-sale Nov. 25: Race-Only Ticket. Alpine racing aficionados can get their fill of thrilling dual GS competitions and non-stop action with the race-only ticket, which includes discounted food and drink from Rubirosa and access to the viewing area. The early-bird price for this ticket is $99.  

• On-sale Nov. 25: Children’s Race-Only Ticket. New this year! We are excited to offer an Under-18 Race-Only Ticket this year for $39. This ticket goes on sale November 25 and allows access to the race viewing area and includes discounted food & beverages at Rubirosa. 

• VIP Tickets. A limited number of exclusive VIP tickets are available, which include a special viewing area at the race and the après party.  

• To Purchase: All tickets except VIP may be purchased at teamavsc.org. VIP tickets may be purchased through the Stewardship Team at VIP@teamavsc.org. 

New Après Party Location: The Audi Ajax Après Party has moved to a new and larger venue this year at the St. Regis Aspen. The open-air setting will feature live music, signature cocktails, and an elevated culinary experience, creating the perfect atmosphere to celebrate after the race. Guests can expect an unforgettable evening of great food, drinks, and entertainment beneath the stars in one of Aspen’s most iconic locations. 

New Youth Race for the Kids. AVSC will be offering a new youth racing option later in the day. Participants will be assigned pro athletes for quick coaching and help at the start. More details will be released on the AVSC website.

Fundraising Matters at AVSC 

Since 1937, AVSC has been championing access to youth winter sports, serving around 3,000 youth annually in both recreational (Aspen Supports Kids) and Team (competitive) programming. As the largest and oldest youth nonprofit in the Roaring Fork Valley, AVSC is also the largest youth ski and snowboard program in the country, with disciplines including Alpine, Nordic, Freestyle (including Freeride or Big Mountain, Moguls, Park and Pipe, and Telemark), and Skimo.  

In addition to competitive guest athletes who come from all over the world to train with AVSC’s talented coaches (many of whom are champions in their own right), AVSC is committed to fulfilling its mission to provide all youth in the greater Roaring Fork Valley with the opportunity to excel as athletes and as people through winter sports. Through both subsidized programming and direct financial aid, as well as limited free services including seasonal gear and bus transportation for youth from as far away as Silt, AVSC is a national leader in winter sports access for youth. Athletes range from first-time youth trying a new sport to World Cup and Olympic champions. 

• 25K Owl Creek Chase – a timed, point-to-point race. 
• 15K Owl Creek Tour – a relaxed, untimed, and slightly shorter version of the same breathtaking route. 
• Owlet Race – a fun 1km kids’ event at the AVSC Clubhouse.