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Burke Mountain Academy

HISTORY

Since 1970, BMA has championed ski racers chasing greatness. 

In 1970, a young ski racer named Martha Coughlin '71 approached coach Warren Witherell seeking year-round training to help her achieve her dream of being named to the U.S. Ski Team.

Witherell quickly agreed, and Burke Mountain Academy was born. The school was the first ski academy of its kind in the United States and established the model which all others would follow. 

More than 55 years later, BMA remains true to the ethos established at its inception and continues to focus on alpine ski racing. Enrolling no more than 70 students annually, the BMA philosophy emphasizes the development of the whole individual — as a student, an athlete, and a person of character. BMA believes this approach is the cornerstone of success both at Burke and throughout life.

Today, Burke is the leading ski racing academy in the United States, partnering with the U.S. Ski Team and having produced numerous national team members and Olympians along the way. Our alumni include:

By the Numbers

  • 120 U.S. Ski Team athletes
  • 166 national team athletes
  • 40 Olympians

Olympic Representation

  • 5 alumni competed at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games
  • 6 alumni competed at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games
  • 2 alumni competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games
  • 6 alumni and 1 E Team athlete competing at the 2026 Cortina Winter Games

QUICK FACTS

To learn more about the history of BMA, read the Sports Illustrated's 1978 feature It's All Downhill From Here on the school. While we've come a long way since then, we are proud of our roots and how it all began. 

THE MAKING OF BMA SERIES