Team AVSC News

Each year, the Teddy Karlinksi Memorial Snowboard Scholarship is awarded to an Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club athlete who embodies the spirit, dedication, and character of the late Teddy Karlinski, a beloved former AVSC athlete and coach. The scholarship of up to $2500 is meant to provide financial assistance to a snowboarder in the AVSC program who is looking to take their skills to a higher level and who honors the memory of Teddy through their hard work and exemplary character. This year the scholarship was awarded to Whit Miller. 
“We chose Whit this year because he reminds us so very much of Teddy,” said Suzy Karlinksi. “He’s skilled, disciplined and passionately devoted to snowboarding. He thrives in competition and strives to be better. He values his AVSC coaches just as Teddy did and makes the most of his AVSC training. Like Teddy, he’s a valued team member and always encourages his teammates.” 
 

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.