Baring (almost) it all for a good cause

BRECKENRIDGE - Female Breckenridge ski patrollers are using their fit bodies for more than just saving skiers this year. Funds raised from 'The Women of Ski Patrol' 2007-2008 calendar, featuring 18 female Breckenridge ski patrollers in artistic, partly nude photos, will benefit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, a new digital mammography machine in Summit, and the Breckenridge Ski Patrol Fund.

The calendar, on sale now, was a way for the ladies who patrol to do some good.

"The women on patrol tend to be really tight," said Susie Nothnagel, Breck ski patroller for nine years. "We wanted to work on something together and this was a great way for us to raise some money for great causes."

Props from their everyday work were brought in for the photos. Avalanche beacons, medical equipment, skis, boots, poles, boundary rope and trail signs were used in the photographs, often to create the suggestion of nudity.

Professional photographer and Breckenridge ski patroller for six years, Alex Kendall, arranged a studio in her home for the calendar. She said she was inspired by a partly nude fundraising calendar which came out of Jackson Hole, which featured black and white photos in an artistic type of shot.

"If that's the direction we're going in, then I want to be involved," she said of the calendar idea which some of the patrollers were kicking around just months ago.

She reiterated the female patrollers' tight connection in speaking on how comfortable the women were in baring (almost) it all for the shoot.

Skinny skiing ====================== What: "The Women of Ski Patrol" 2007-2008 calendar, featuring the women of Breckenridge Ski Patrol. Funds raised will be split in thirds, going to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the new digital mammography machine in Summit and the Breckenridge Ski Patrol fund. Cost: $15 Available at: Peak 8 and Peak 9 Breckenridge Ski Patrol huts and online at www.breckenridgeskipatrol.com. ================

"It makes it helpful that we all work together and all support each other; also that it was going to a good cause," Kendall said.

"Everybody stepped up for this calendar, whether they're in it, or photographing or on the business end," Kendall said, noting she had help in shooting from ski patroller and aspiring photographer Tracy Rameil.

The $15, 16-month calendar is on sale now at the Peak 8 and 9 Breckenridge Ski Patrol huts or at www.breckenridgeskipatrol.com.

Leslie Brefeld can be reached at (970) 668-4626 or lbrefeld@summitdaily.com.