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The Celebrity Ski weekend in Beaver Creek, Colorado, brought together airline staff, corporate partners and community supporters for a concentrated burst of fundraising and awareness. Over the course of the retreat-style event, participants helped raise more than $1.6 million to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Organizers emphasized both the social and scientific impact of the effort, noting that the proceeds will support ongoing clinical research and patient care initiatives focused on improving outcomes for people living with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system.
More than 425 attendees and volunteers joined the weekend of events, which featured familiar faces from sports and entertainment alongside airline employees. Notable participants included Carli Lloyd, Alexi Lalas and Mark Ingram, and a live performance curated by Warner Records spotlighted artist Michael Marcagi. In addition to on-slope activities and concerts, supporters contributed through silent auctions, sponsorship packages and mile-based donations, continuing traditions that have made the event a cornerstone of corporate philanthropy tied to the fight against CF.
Event highlights and community impact
The weekend combined recreational programming with intentional fundraising, bringing attention to both the work of clinicians and the lived experience of people with CF. Attendees took part in a variety of activities meant to strengthen community ties and fundraise, while the event itself amplified the Foundation’s research priorities. Organizers noted that the energy generated by volunteers and celebrity guests translated directly into financial support for trials, therapies and care centers. The tally of more than $1.6 million will be directed into the Foundation’s research portfolio, bolstering efforts to develop new treatments and move closer to a cure.
Notable participants and programming
High-profile guests helped elevate the weekend’s visibility, attracting additional donors and media attention. The mix of professional athletes, entertainers and airline personnel created a broad base of engagement that extended beyond the slopes. Programming included participant-driven fundraisers, performances and networking sessions that highlighted how corporate resources can amplify nonprofit missions. The presence of celebrity backers served as a catalyst to drive both donations and public awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
How donations were collected
Fundraising methods combined traditional giving with creative corporate mechanisms. In addition to auction and sponsorship revenue, American Airlines leveraged its loyalty ecosystem by contributing hundreds of millions of AAdvantage miles over time to support similar fundraising efforts nationwide. This event also used direct financial gifts and in-kind support to cover logistical costs, maximizing the amount available for research and patient care. Such blended approaches have helped sustain the Celebrity Ski event over four decades.
Longstanding partnerships and leadership
American’s involvement in the Celebrity Ski program is part of a much larger philanthropic relationship with the CF community. The airline has contributed to more than $50 million in support of the Foundation across multiple initiatives, underscoring a long-term commitment to advancing treatments and care. Company leaders described the weekend as an example of team members and partners working together to make a measurable difference outside of the day-to-day travel business. Foundation leadership characterized American as a vital, long-running corporate supporter whose backing has directly supported scientific breakthroughs.
About the organizations
American Airlines operates a global network and is powered by a large workforce of aviation professionals who emphasize customer service and community engagement. The airline flies thousands of daily flights to hundreds of destinations worldwide and serves millions of customers annually. As a company, American highlights milestones in innovation and continues to invest in both customer experience and charitable activities; it also marks its centennial year in 2026. The airline is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation leads global efforts to accelerate research into treatments and ultimately a cure. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization and supports a national network of accredited care centers recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model for chronic disease care. Much of the progress in current CF therapies has been made possible because of Foundation-funded science. The organization operates as a donor-supported nonprofit; more information is available at cff.org.