Olympic Legend Billy Kidd Donates Leibovitz Portrait

A photograph that captured the spirit of the American West is now creating opportunities for young musicians in Colorado.

Olympic skiing legend Billy Kidd has donated a signed, framed magazine cover featuring a portrait taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. The image, which appeared on the 1991 winter edition of Steamboat Magazine, will be auctioned to benefit the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra's music education programs.

"I was selected to be one of these people, celebrities to be included in this American Express advertising campaign called 'Portraits,'" Kidd recalled. The campaign featured icons like Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Arnold Schwarzenegger throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Kidd spent four to five days working with Leibovitz to create the perfect shot. The winning image came from an unexpected location: his ranch near Stagecoach Reservoir, south of Steamboat Springs.

The portrait shows Kidd dressed in a duster, vest, and chaps, standing on snow-covered land with his trademark "Billy Kidd" Stetson hat and dark sunglasses. Holding a lariat and channeling the spirit of old Western film stars, the image perfectly captured both Kidd's personality and the culture of his adopted home.

Kidd made history at the 1964 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, winning silver in slalom just 0.14 seconds behind the gold medalist. He and teammate Jimmie Heuga became the first American men to win Olympic medals in Alpine skiing.

After moving to Steamboat Springs in 1970 to become director of skiing at the resort, Kidd built a life that blended his athletic achievements with his love of Western culture.

The Ripple Effect

The magazine cover will be displayed at the Symphony of Champions performance on February 5 at the Strings Music Pavilion. Proceeds will support String Sprouts, High School Orchestra, and String Immersion weekends, giving young musicians access to quality instruction and performance opportunities.

Jennifer Wheeler, executive director of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, opened bidding Thursday night. Those interested can find the auction link at SteamboatSymphony.org.

"I've been so lucky with the things that have happened to me," Kidd reflected from his Boulder home. His Olympic medals opened doors to magazine covers, advertising campaigns, and a life dedicated to skiing and Western heritage.

Now, 62 years after his historic Olympic achievement, Kidd is using his fame to open doors for the next generation of young artists in the mountain community he calls home.