It's time for some of the country's top football players to swap the pads and helmet for skis and boots. Friday and Saturday will be the annual Snowbird NFL Celebrity Benefit for disabled skiers.
Most notable among the gridiron stars scheduled to ski is, of course, Steve Young, targeted to be the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers this season. Young is chairman of this event.Also on the course will be Lee Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals), Jim Hermann (formerly with the Bengals), Mark Bellini (formerly with the Seattle Seahawks), Brian Brennan (Bengals), Bill Musgrave (49ers), Harris Barton (49ers) and Mike Sherrard (49ers), to name a few.
The event is to raise money for the Disabled Skier Program at Snowbird. Skiers with a variety of disabling injuries or illnesses are taught to ski through this program. In many cases both lessons and equipment are supplied free by the Snowbird program, which is under the direction of Peter Mandler.
The program has involved people who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, developmentally delayed, amputees, paraplegics, as well as individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and Cerebral Palsy.
Money raised will help pay instructors and buy equipment. A bi-ski or mono-ski, for example, costs about $2,000. Outriggers run about $300.
Several events are planned for the weekend. On Friday, there will be an Autograph Party in the Cottonwood Room at Snowbird, from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. The price includes admission and light refreshments.
Saturday, the NFL Benefit Race will be held on the Gad Valley race hill. Registration will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Cost is $35 per person and includes a lift ticket, barbecue lunch and race. The race will begin at 10 a.m. A demonstration of a bi-ski and mono-ski will follow.
Saturday evening will be the NFL Celebrity Dinner/Auction in the Ballroom of the Cliff Lodge. Cost is $75 per person and includes dinner, live auction and dancing.
For more information on the program and event call Snowbird, 521-6040, ext. 4080.