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Maryhelyn Kirwan:  (970) 728-7404
Tom Watkinson:      (970) 728-7409

BEE’S RUN DEDICATION IN REVELATION BOWL THURSDAY
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11 am.

Telluride, CO., March 17, 2009 - The new trail in Revelation Bowl ‘Bee’s Run’ has a lot to do with honey. Honey on a ski run? Bee Reichel - local celebrity, all around outdoor enthusiast, avid skier and life long philanthropist - happens to be Telluride’s honey and sweetheart. And she’s only 76 years young.
 
Bee was born Bee Hinson in Charleston, South Carolina in the 1930’s. Her family moved to Atlanta and she attended and graduated from Vanderbilt University. A year later, she met and married Frank Reichel on March 26, 1955 and moved to Philadelphia.

Upon visiting Telluride for the first time ever in 1981, they wanted to stay forever.

“Frank asked me where in the entire world I would want a ski house, and I said Telluride,” said Bee. “Frank agreed, and we bought the house immediately.” They stayed in the house the following winter, and skied their happy little hearts out.

In the mid 1980’s Bee took a terrible fall and broke her leg on the mountain. The Telluride Ski Patrol responded to her accident, and thus began a love affair that lasted decades. “I think they are such exceptional people, they do so much for everyone,” said Bee. “It is great to now see a second generation of young ski patrollers, children of the original bunch, now serving Telluride’s skiers and boarders.” She invited the ski patrol for dinner as a ‘thank you’ 22 years ago, the tradition continued for years.

Bee held a position on the U.S. Ski Team Foundation board, and raised funds to support the U.S. Ski Team for 14 years. She was the second and longest woman board member ever to serve.  The Reichel’s have two grown children, and they now spend about eight months a year in Telluride. They spend the summer months in Oregon - windsurfing.

“Bee is such an integral member of this community,” said Dave Riley, CEO of the resort.
“She is actually part of our history here in Telluride, and we are thrilled to be naming Bee’s Run after such an exceptional woman.”

Bee has been undergoing radiation therapy treatment for the past eight weeks after surgery in Oregon. Following her final treatment Friday, March 6, Frank and Bee packed their bags and headed east to Telluride. On Sunday morning, March 8, Bee stood at the top of Revelation Bowl, and skied her first “Bee’s Run” ever. She is thrilled to be back.

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the new Bee’s Run in Revelation Bowl will begin at 11:00 am Thursday at the top of Revelation Lift. Telluride’s favorite honey, Bee Reichel, will be on hand for the day’s celebration.

For more information, go to www.tellurideskiresort.com

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