Sam Coffey was an accomplished and enthusiastic Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club ski racer. Growing up, he’d occasionally skip school and training, following the 5-inch rule to ski on powder days with his friends until the last chair. He went on to win junior nationals and eventually excel at the University of New Hampshire where he was a two time All American in NCAA competition. Upon retiring from ski racing, Sam found his true passion in mountaineering and big line skiing in the Elk range as well as Chamonix and the world over. Coffey treasured Aspen and loved to ski, especially with his friends, ‘The Freaks!’ Sam died on May 20, 2019 at age 29.

The Samuel Ryan Coffey Memorial Fund has been created to honor Sam’s memory to help FIS-level alpine athletes seeking summer training opportunities. Athletes must demonstrate AVSC’s core values of commitment, teamwork and integrity as well as embody Sam’s passion for skiing and the Aspen community. Athletes will be nominated by AVSC FIS coaches who believe an athlete embodies these essential traits. One recipient will be selected each year in the spring by a committee comprised of the AVSC Alpine Program Director, an AVSC FIS Coach, and the Executive Director.

AVSC’s goal is to honor and celebrate Sam’s legacy by fully funding an endowed scholarship within AVSC’s Bob Beattie Endowment, housed at the Aspen Community Foundation.

If you would make a gift, please direct your donation to:
Miah Wheeler
AVSC Director of Development
300 AVSC Dr
Aspen, CO 81611
Memo Note: Sam Coffey Memorial Fund

“I can’t remember much from those early days besides grilled cheeses and being really excited to ski with my friends. I met my best and lifelong friend Wiley Maple in RidgeRunners; we went on to race together for 13 years. The AVSC coaches do a great job at keeping skiing fun because that is what skiing is all about. Skiing is a sport you can do your entire life. These programs teach lifelong teamwork skills, create long-lasting friendships, and give kids a foundation to pursue competitive skiing if they want to.”

– Sam Coffey on his time at AVSC

Release courtesy of AVSC.