AVON, Colorado - A local restaurant is hosting a benefit for a kids ski league.

The Northside Cafe and Kitchen in Avon is hosting a benefit for the local Buddy Werner League.

"The Buddy Werner League helps more than 300 local kids with skiing and ski race training," said Jim Pavelich, Northside Cafe owner. "It's a great organization and we can't wait to have a great time Sunday night."

The event is for everyone, not just for Buddy Werner League members, Pavelich said.

Buddy Werner League is a recreational race club for skiers in grades 2-8.

The organization is named for Wallace "Buddy" Jerold Werner, America's first truly world class ski racer.

A native of Steamboat Springs, Werner had a breakneck style that caused spectacular spills, but also enabled him to win virtually every championship available during his mercurial career. He was a three-time Olympian.

Werner died trying to outrace an avalanche in the Swiss Alps on April 12, 1964.

Among his accomplishments were:

• Member, Olympic Alpine Team: 1956, 1960, 1964.

• Member, Federation International du Ski Alpine Team: 1954 (alternate); 1958, when he was the first American selected; 1962.

• Posthumously inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame, 1964.

• Three time Holmenkollen Champion in Norway, with the best showing to date by an American Alpine skier in international competition: 1954, 1956, 1962.

• Three time National Alpine Champion in Giant Slalom: 1957, 1959, 1963.

• Two time winner of the Roche Cup: 1959, 1961.