It’s been quite a year here at Axis, and now that we’re reaching the end of the month, we’re taking a moment to reflect on all that’s happened.
We’ve seen record-breaking patient visits – a testament to our community’s support – as well as some incredible community events that showed the strength of our mountain community and our commitment to keeping everyone moving.
It’s been so great that we’re already looking forward to 2026! But before we get there, here’s a look back at the moments and memories that defined our year.
When we consider all that’s happened, it reminds us why we do what we do – and why our work continues to impact individuals all across our mountain community.
By the Numbers: A Record-Breaking Year at Axis
The statistics tell a pretty impressive story of all that’s happened this year!
Through October alone, we’ve provided an incredible 27,356 patient visits across our four locations in Breckenridge, Eagle, Frisco, and Silverthorne.
What does that number mean? That’s thousands of athletes, weekend warriors, and community members who trusted us with their recovery journeys.
We helped individuals heal from a variety of issues – from torn ACLs to frozen shoulders, as well as post-surgical rehabilitation and year-round injury prevention. Each was handled with the same level of care and compassion we originally founded Axis on.
Breaking down our care by specialty, we’ve seen significant trends in what brings patients through our doors:
- Knee injuries remained our most common treatment area, reflecting our active skiing and mountain biking culture.
- Shoulder rehabilitation came in a close second, with many cases stemming from both winter sports and summer adventures gone sideways.
- Our sports medicine team also saw increased demand for concussion management, return-to-sport protocols, and specialized youth athlete programs.
We’re proud to continue offering exceptional care for athletes of all ages and levels, helping them get back to doing what they love with confidence.
The 10th Annual Axis Ascent: A Milestone Celebration
September’s Axis Ascent at Arapahoe Basin marked (and this is crazy to think about!) a decade of this great community tradition.
This year, 103 participants joined us for the high-altitude challenge, choosing between the steady climb to Black Mountain Lodge or the full summit push.
This year’s event was particularly special, featuring patients just weeks post-surgery hiking alongside seasoned mountaineers. We love this event because it’s a perfect picture of our mission to help everyone return to what they love.
It was the diversity of participants that told the real story. We had everyone from younger people conquering their first mountain to seasoned adults proving that age is just a number.
Each person who came out not only showed the power and resilience of the human spirit, but also showed that together we are stronger. We’re proud that the event raised awareness about injury prevention – one of our key missions here at Axis.
Wellness Week: Community Health Takes Center Stage
May’s inaugural Wellness Series exceeded all expectations, with 122 attendees participating across 7 classes throughout the month. We were proud to see so many come out to such a new – and important – event!
This new program brought free health and wellness education directly to our community, covering everything from injury prevention and proper warm-ups to nutrition for mountain athletes.
The series’s success has already prompted planning for 2026. We can’t wait to see how this program will continue to grow in the year ahead!
Community Partnerships: Giving Back
Our sponsorship partnerships continued to grow in 2025, and we’re always proud to support the incredible organizations and events that bring awareness to our community:
VNTRbirds Rip Roaring Mini Enduro: Empowering Women on Wheels
This August, we proudly sponsored VNTRbirds‘ biggest Mini Enduro yet, with 100 women, femme, and non-binary mountain bikers taking on Arapahoe Basin’s challenging terrain.
Our free bike fit giveaway generated tremendous excitement, with the winner receiving a comprehensive biomechanical assessment to optimize their riding position and prevent overuse injuries.
Summit Hero Golf Classic: Fore! The Heroes
The fourth annual Summit Hero Golf Classic at Raven Golf Course became our most entertaining sponsorship of the year.
This year, we sponsored the “Happy Gilmore-style” longest putt challenge, where golfers traded precision putters for hockey sticks!
Our donation of a hockey stick signed by professional golfer Nancy Lopez (fresh from her “Happy Gilmore 2” appearance) helped the event raise over $100,000 for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
These funds directly support wounded veterans and first responders, including several Summit County residents who now live mortgage-free.
The Cycle Effect
Our ten-year partnership with The Cycle Effect continues to be one of our most impactful relationships. This summer, we provided comprehensive injury screenings for all program participants, educated coaches on concussion recognition, and developed customized strength training programs for young riders preparing for race season.
The program’s expansion to serve over 200 girls across Eagle and Summit Counties meant more opportunities for our team to share injury prevention strategies.
Keystone Science School
Our partnership with Keystone Science School continued in 2025. We provided them with an employee wellness program – evaluation, treatment and home exercise programs to stay healthy.
The 10th Annual Axis Ascent
September’s milestone Axis Ascent deserves expanded recognition. The 103 participants included 15 patients who’d had joint replacements in the past year, eight individuals currently in physical therapy, and multiple participants celebrating their return to mountain activities after significant injuries.
The event featured two route options accommodating all fitness levels, professional photography capturing triumphant summit moments, and post-hike recovery stations staffed by our PTs offering stretching guidance and recovery nutrition.
Thank You, Axis Community!
None of this would be possible without you – our patients, partners, and supporters.
To our 27,356 patient visits, you’re not just numbers – you’re neighbors, friends, and the reason we love what we do.
To our event participants, sponsors, and community partners, thank you for trusting us to be part of your wellness journey.
As we prepare for the winter season and all that the holidays bring, know that Axis Sports Medicine stands ready to help!
Here’s to 2025 – a year of growth, community, and countless comeback stories. And here’s to 2026!
