Alumni Feature: The Harper Family
Read More
“BBSEF, formerly BBSRA was a big part of our life,” said Doug Harper. He and his wife, Teddie, lived in the Highlands and were comfortable with the kids thumbing their way up the road. “We knew where they were and that they were safe.”
All three of the Harper children, Jennifer, Dougie and Jason were BBSRA team members. Dougie became one of the first BBSRA snowboarders. He raced with Mitey Mites but switched to snowboarding at about age 12. “Jason was in the van traveling with the team. I was a dad with four or five snowboarders in the car traveling to Mount Hood and Baker on weekends,” said Doug.
As for Jennifer, she shifted to recreational skiing and has done pretty well. “She gets in about 100 days per year.”
Doug believes the experiences Jennifer, Dougie and Jason had with BBSRA helped each of them develop strong social and life skills, especially confidence and self-reliance. Both of which Jason had in abundance. He was independent and strong, a skilled and an avid ski mountaineer. His talents and curiosity took him all over the world including Argentina where he really enjoyed trekking and guiding. And where he would organize a nice dinner at the end of the season for the locals – most of whom had very limited means.
Jason and his friend Thomas had been trekking, climbing and mapping the pristine backcountry of Argentina prior to Jason’s death. Thomas honored Jason’s memory by naming a mountain, a ridge and a slope in the area for his friend.
We are grateful to the Harper family for sharing Jason’s legacy with BBSEF as well. The Jason Harper Training Center is the focal point of all BBSEF operations and a vital hub from which all good things emanate and to which athletes, coaches and crew return at the end of each busy day. The Harper Family gift helps BBSEF athletes develop the confidence and self-reliance that are the hallmarks of Jason’s character. We are proud that every person passing through its doors has the opportunity to be inspired by Jason.
