RANGELEY – Saddleback held its annual Summit Gala on March 4 at the Rock Pond Clubhouse. Members of season summit programs and their families shared lunch and desserts.

Other activities included a consistency race and family members skiing or boarding with the groups. Skiers, boarders and racers in summit programs were honored by their coaches. Coaches shared accomplishments and successes of each participant at the awards ceremony.

Each year, coaches select one summit participant to receive the Philip Linnell Memorial Award for Best Spirit in Skiing. The award is in memory of Philip Linnell who lost his life in an accident while sledding. Linnell is remembered by fellow skiers and instructors as a child who demonstrated great enthusiasm for the sport of skiing whenever he was at Saddleback.

This year’s recipient was Ashley Briggs, 10-year-old daughter of Jeff and Charlene Briggs of Freeport. She skis with Mary Sue Richard’s summit group.

Ashley is enthusiastic about skiing and is willing to try new trails. She often is heard saying, “Oh, do we have to go in? I wanted to take another run.” One day she continued skiing in spite of a glasses lens, which kept falling out.

Ashley looks forward to participating in the Maine Ski Challenge races at Saddleback and recently qualified for the state championship race at Saddleback on March 12.