Celebrating 50 Years of Bill Koch League Magic
Ben Ogden’s silver medals at the Milano Cortina Games were a historic achievement, 50 years after the first U.S. men’s Olympic cross-country medal. In the season that followed Bill Koch’s 1976 performance, the Bill Koch League was born, honoring not only that remarkable Olympic moment, but also Bill’s ideals of fun, adventure, and lifelong sport. The Bill Koch League turns 50 in 2026-27.
Over the past 50 years, the League has touched countless lives, instilling values, spreading joy, and building friendships that extend far beyond skiing. Throughout this anniversary year, we will be sharing community stories and photos to reminisce about and celebrate the magic born from 50 years of the Bill Koch League.
We want to hear from you! Share a Bill Koch League or Festival photo and/or your favorite BKL memory by filling out this form or emailing kai@nensa.net.
BKL Across the Years
Micah, Steve & Zola Bruner | 2018 Festival, Weston, MA- Austin Caldwell
- Isabel Caldwell
- Sophie Caldwell Hamilton
- Bob Gray & Mike Gallagher | 2003 BKL Festival, Putney, VT
- Tara Geraghty-Moats, Phebe or Nika Meyes, Kim Kancir & Bill Koch | 2003 BKL Festival, Putney, VT
“Our daughter Kim Kancir skied for Mountain Meadows in Killington and attended the 25th BKL festival in Putney VT. We all have great memories of our BKL days. Thank you for keeping it going.” – Bob & Sue Kancir - Koch Family | 2003 BKL Festival, Putney, VT
“I remember my first festival in Putney in 2003 and they had an Olympic theme and invited back Olympians from all over the United States, and it was so much fun to have all of those friends together. There were these giant lollipops that guided the littlest skiers, so you really saw this full spectrum. One feature was a group ski with the Olympians around the lollipop course. We hadn’t brought skis, so Bill hopped on Sophie Caldwell’s, and, wow, those were speedy! That was a hoot!”
– Kate Kate - Bill Koch | 1977 Carlisle, MA
“I have come to recognize the league as the greatest honor of my career.” - Bill Koch, Michael Fairchild, Chris Nice, Michael Lynch, David Chandler, Byrant Tolles & Thayer Tolles | 1977 Wolfboro, BKL
- Heidi Lange | Ford Sayre BKL, Hanover, NH
“As we celebrate 50 years of BKL, I am deeply grateful for a community that has helped generations of children build confidence, resilience, friendships, and a lifelong love of cross-country skiing.” - John Caldwell, Charlie Kellogg & Mike Gallagher | 2003 Festival, Putney, VT
- Kai Miller | 1999 Festival, Stowe, VT
- Mackenzie Rizio | 2010 Festival, Rumford, ME
- 1999 Northeast VT BKL
Front, L to R: Ida Sargent and Susan Dunklee. Back L to R: Ryan Kerrigan, Luc Brodhead, Ben Donahue, Hazen Bordhead, Elsa Sargent, Emily Wheeler and Dan Brodhead - Amie Smith | 1977 Bill Koch League, Woodford, VT
- Patrice Spyrka | 2025 BKL Festival, Waterville, ME
“It’s incredible to think that Bill Koch started BKL just one year after winning his Olympic medal. What remarkable vision he had. At my first BKL Festival, Bill told me that creating BKL was the most fulfilling accomplishment of his life. That conversation has always stayed with me, and it reminds me that BKL has never been just about skiing—it’s about giving kids confidence, fostering a love for being outdoors, and creating lifelong memories.” - Ben Theyerl & Family | Future New Englander!
- Bryant Tolles | 1982 BKL Festival, Tupper Lake, NY
“It still blows me away how a kid (Koch) that age was able to step into the role of hero and handle it so well. My sister still carries around with her a piece of paper with his signature. We are still fans.”
