Whatcom Events is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 2025 Ski to Sea Race.
The Race will be Sunday, 5-25-25 and all teams who register prior to January 31st will receive a $50 discount off the team entry price. Last year the race sold out on March 22nd and we are anticipating another sold out race in 2025. We already have 83 teams signed up in just 40 hours.
Introducing your new Ski to Sea Race Director
Aurielle Buermann (pictured center) has been appointed the new race director of the Ski to Sea Race. Aurielle has been working with Whatcom Events since February of 2022 as the assistant race director under current race director Anna Rankin and has experienced three races from Mt Baker to Bellingham Bay. Aurielle came to Whatcom Events with past experience in the service, health care and fitness industries.
“I am honored to step into the role of race director with Whatcom Events,” Aurielle shared. “As a lifelong resident of the region, I am passionate about outdoor recreation and Ski to Sea perfectly captures and celebrates what makes Bellingham and Whatcom County a world class recreation destination."
After serving as race director since 2018 while simultaneously holding the role of executive director, Anna Rankin (far right) will remain executive director of the non-profit while providing a supporting role for Ski to Sea and focusing on non-racing events including the Tour de Whatcom and Trails to Taps Relay. Sarah Beck (far left) will continue in her role as the volunteer coordinator for Ski to Sea and the race director of the Jr. Ski to Sea.
"Aurielle has shown exemplary work ethic and passion for the organization since day one and now is the perfect time to reward her hard work and dedication by handing the proverbial baton over to her", Anna stated. "I feel grateful that we found the perfect candidate within our organization, and I am excited to work beside her for years to come.” For media inquiries, you can contact Aurielle directly here: aurielle@skitosea.com.
Whatcom Events named Tourism Business of the Year
Whatcom Events has received the Tourism Business of the Year Award! Hosted by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, the award dinner was Thursday, November 21st at the Silver Reef Casino. Anna and Aurielle were joined by Board President Mike Trowbridge and member Kayla Campbell at the Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Table (the organization who bestowed the award to us) with CEO Dylan Deane-Boyle and Sports Development Manager Eric Rainaud-Hinds (pictured).
We were in great company with fellow 2024 winners, Large Business of the Year Ram Construction, Small Business of the Year Bellingham Bells Baseball, Non-profit of the Year Whatcom Hospice Foundation, Lifetime Achievement recipient Heidi Doornenbal, and Young Professional of the Year Lindsey Payne Johnstone. We are honored to be the recipient of this award in 2024 alongside previous Tourism of the Year winners, Inn at Lynden, the Spark Museum and the NW Washington Fair Association.
New Board President
Whatcom Events has named founding member Mike Trowbridge as the new Board President after the departure of former President Mark Lee in June. Mark Lee is one of two Board members who retired last summer, the other being Treasurer Larry Bussinger. Whatcom Events extends well wishes to both Mark and Larry in future endeavors and heaps of gratitude for their years of service on the Board and the Ski to Sea Race committee. The current Whatcom Events Board of Directors is nine members with Tiffany Edlin stepping into the Vice President role left by Mike Trowbridge, Edoh Amiran stepping into the Treasurer role and Jessa Loudon remaining as the Secretary. Other members include Tracy Gorham (not pictured), Maureen Stewart, John Buckley, Magnus Nyström and Kayla Campbell. Detailed information about each of our Board Members can be found HERE.
