Ornichleel "Leel" Ulysse, a Haiti earthquake survivor, learning how to ski at The Hartford Ski Spectacular. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Hartford Ski Spectacular is a week long event here in Breckenridge, from December 5^th – 12^th, that teaches 800 men, women and children with physical disabilities how to ski and snowboard. The Hartford Ski Spectacular, in its 17^th year, will be held at the Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center and Breckenridge Ski Resort.

This year 11-year old Ornichleel (“Leel”) Ulysse, a below-the-knee amputee who was injured in the January earthquake that struck her home in Haiti, is one of the many children who are learning how to ski at The Hartford Ski Spectacular. Ron Gendreau, executive vice president of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, said “We are so excited to have Leel as our special guest at The Hartford Ski Spectacular. Her strength and courage have inspired us. We hope that by learning new skills, she’ll build confidence and take key steps on the road to recovery. Leel and the other men, women and children here embody our Ability Philosophy – that success is possible when you focus on abilities, not limitations.”

To learn more about how to help young Haitian children who suffered in the January earthquake please visit The Haiti Orphan Rescue Program (HORP).

This Wednesday, December 8^th is the start of the first annual Sports Film Festival “The Summit” and is taking place in Breckenridge. “The Summit” will showcase talented filmmakers from around the world as well as top athletes, live music, photography exhibits and screenings of some of this years best ski and snowboard films. The film festival will be a four-day event, December 8^th -11^th, and kicks off at noon on Wednesday at Brooklyn’s Tavern with a meet and greet with athletes and filmmakers.

The Summit Action Sports Film Festival supports both amateur and professional filmmakers. Around 10 films will be shown each day with a price of $5 per screening (or $5 for the day if you stay inside the venue). The award ceremony will be held at 7pm at the Riverwalk Amphitheater in downtown Breckenridge on Saturday, December 11^th.

Jon Roderick, the mastermind behind the event says “There’s an insane amount of support already.” His dream became a reality with the help of Snow Boarder magazine, Nike 6.0, Vitamin Water and Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Courtesy of The Summit Film Festival

For more information about the event, visit www.thesummitfilmfestival.com or the film festival information tent in the Riverwalk Square in Breckenridge.

We are looking forward to the official start of the holiday season, or Victorian Holidays, here in Breckenridge with the Lighting of Breckenridge. We love this time of year when Breckenridge is turned into what Summit Concierge calls a “holiday postcard, complete with wreaths, garland, and lights galore.”

The fun begins at noon for some ornament painting at Ready, Paint, Fire on North Main Street followed by FREE hot cocoa, cookies and caroling at Subway. Then the real party begins with the arrival of Santa Claus at 5pm in his horse-drawn carriage, he left the reindeers at home to rest up for the big day. Santa will lead the procession to Blue River Plaza for the lighting of Town Tree. Santa will stay around for a bit to take some photos with the little ones. Hope to see you there!

Courtesy of Summit Scene