A gathering of friends and fans of Craig "Cheeso" Kjesbo will be held today, April 10, beginning at 1 p.m. at Lookout, on top of Bald Mountain. Everyone is invited to participate and share in a pot luck picnic, bring photos and stories and connect with old friends.
Kjesbo, who died in January at the age of 57 after a three-year battle with cancer, was one of the best local backcountry and Bald Mountain skiers. His passion for skiing inspired the most passionate of Wood River Valley skiers. For 26 years, he was a very popular coach for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, influencing young ski racers, fellow coaches and the larger community with his integrity, enthusiasm and attitude, perhaps best summed up in his quip, "There's no bad snow, just bad skiers."
Those who have them and can turn them are asked to break out their old 210s and take a run on Baldy in Cheeso's memory. Those who don't and can't are encouraged to take a run for Cheeso anyway.
There will be tributes, stories and a "Cheeso" roast, and at 3:30 p.m. Kjesbo's son Ethan will spread the remains of his father's ashes in Lookout Bowl. Those without skis will begin downloading the Challenger lift, Lookout will be cleaned up, those with skis will descend the mountain and the celebration of Cheeso's life will resume at Apple's at the base of Warm Springs.
Apple's is a sponsor of the celebration. At 4:30 p.m. Don Wiseman, executive director of the SVSEF, will announce a special annual memorial trophy in Kjesbo's name as well as the details of an endowment fund being set up for SVSEF scholarships in Kjesbo's name and honor.
