Vermont's Ben Ogden Brings Olympic Silver Home to Bromley

Two months after making history in Italy, Olympic medalist Ben Ogden is coming home to celebrate with the community that shaped him.

The Vermont native captured two silver medals at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in men's cross-country skiing. His wins in the sprint classic and team sprint marked the first U.S. men's medals in the sport in 50 years.

Now he's bringing that Olympic energy back to Bromley Mountain for Medals in the Mountains, a fundraiser supporting youth sports programs across Vermont's mountain communities. The April 12th event will benefit three organizations helping young athletes chase their own Olympic dreams.

Ogden won't be celebrating alone. Bill Koch, the legendary skier who earned America's last cross-country medal back in 1976, will join him on the slopes.

Both Olympians will ski the course with participants before meeting fans for autographs and photos. It's a rare chance for young skiers to literally follow in Olympic footsteps.

The Ripple Effect

The fundraiser supports SMST2, Mountain Towns Recreation, and the West River Sports Association. These three organizations provide training, equipment, and opportunities for Vermont kids who dream of competing at the highest levels.

Fifty years separated Koch's 1976 silver from Ogden's 2026 medals. That half-century gap shows how rare Olympic success in cross-country skiing has been for American men, making Ogden's achievement even more remarkable for the communities that supported his journey.

The event runs rain or shine starting at 3 p.m., with live music from Brett Hughes and the Prickly Mountain Boys plus food trucks. Donations are suggested but not required, keeping the celebration accessible to all families.

Vermont's tight-knit skiing community knows that today's young racers watching Ogden could be tomorrow's Olympic heroes, and events like this keep that pipeline of talent and inspiration flowing strong.