Bear Valley, CA…The Ebbetts Pass Historical Association (EPHA) has announced plans for their annual presentation, WinterSports History Night, scheduled on December 12, 2015. This year’s program will feature retrospectives on the Nickolay Dodov Foundation, former Bear Valley professional ski patroller and photographer Peter Hayes and the Bear Valley Chapter of the National Ski Patrol System..

The Nickolay Dodov Foundation’s (NDF) involvement with the “Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness” program administered by the Utah Avalanche Center is a cornerstone in promoting safety and avalanche awareness programs for winter sports enthusiasts in the United States and internationally. The namesake for the NDF is Nickolay Dodov, a young man that grew up in Bear Valley and who was tragically killed in an avalanche in Alaska while helicopter skiing. The NDF was formed in the hopes of creating educational and awareness programs that could help save lives of those that venture into the mountains to enjoy its’ winter splendor and excitement.

Peter Hayes was a professional ski patroller at Mt. Reba/Bear Valley in the 1970’s and 80’s who left an indelible footprint within Bear Valley’s ski community. Peter later obtained his teaching credential and taught high school biology in Los Angeles and eventually became a highly regarded and respected teacher with the Romark Ski Academy in Park City. Peter was also a very talented photographer and captured Bear Valley’s unique lifestyle and that of a patroller’s experience through his art.

The Bear Valley Chapter of the National Ski Patrol System was recently awarded the outstanding ski patrol organization in the United States. This prestigious award is a culmination of nearly five decades of commitment to making the ski experience at Bear Valley’s local Mountain safer and more enjoyable to its’ guest’s activities while on the Mountain. The Bear Valley Chapter will receive the EPHA’s Peter Brinkman Award for 2015 given annually for outstanding achievement and in support of the winter sports community along the Ebbetts Pass/Highway 4 corridor.