Jans Winter Welcome was originally established as a fundraiser for the Park City Ski Team more than three decades ago.

The team was a competitive alpine youth program that provided a pathway to the U.S. Ski Team for some of the top athletes.

In 2002, after the Olympics, the Youth Winter Sports Alliance (YWSA) was established as an umbrella organization that linked the ski team with other youth winter sports organizations in the community, said Aimee Preston, executive director of the YWSA.

"At that point, the Winter Welcome began fundraising for six winter sports youth teams," Preston said. "Now we're up to 13."

Those teams include Axis Freeride, Figure Skating Club of Park City, Park City Freestyle, Park City Ice Miners, Park City Ski Team, Park City Snowboard Team, Park City Speedskating Club, Summit Ski Team, G-Force Bobsled & Skeleton, FLY Freestyle, Park City Nordic Club, Wasatch Freestyle and Wasatch Luge Club.

In addition to supporting the teams, the YWSA is involved with the local Get Out & Play program, a partnership with the Park City area resorts, White Pine Touring and the Park City Ice Arena that introduces winter sports to students in the Park City elementary schools and the Weilenmann School of Discovery.

"The program allows kids to have sports activities on snow or on ice after school," Preston said.

That's why the Winter Welcome, a black-tie affair, which will be held at the Silver Lake Lodge at upper Deer Valley on Oct. 27, is so important.

The event, which will be hosted by Olympic silver and bronze medalist Shannon Barhke and NBC's Paul Hochman, will feature a live auction, a silent auction, live music from the Daniel Day Trio and an opportunity drawing.

"The grand-prize winner of the drawing will receive a trip for two to the 2013 Kentucky Derby," Preston said. "The package include airline tickets, room and board, the best seats at Churchill Downs and a chance to meet the mayor of Louisville."

Admission tickets are $250 and tickets for the drawing are $50 apiece. Both can be purchased by visiting www.ywsa.org .

"Even if you can't attend the fundraiser, you can still purchase a ticket for the opportunity drawing," Preston said. "There is no limit to how many tickets can be purchased."

"While there, you can determine which YWSA sport you want to donate to," Preston said.

Since the grand prize is a trip to the Kentucky Derby, the Churchill Downs theme will run throughout the evening.

"The place will be decorated with red roses and we'll serve mint juleps, among other derby-themed libations," Preston said.

The live auction items will include a Derby dinner for 10 at High West Distillery and a trip to the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York donated by Nike, which includes a Nike Store gift cards.

"Another one of our sponsors is Wasatch Powderbird helicopter skiing, which donated a package for three at Canyons or Snowbird," said Linda Jager, marketing and public relations director for the Youth Winter Sports Alliance. "Canyons also donated a first-tracks event where a group of 10 will ski with Shannon Bahrke and enjoy her Silver Bean Coffee."

Bahrke, who won the silver medal in moguls during the 2002 Olympics, founded the Silver Bean Coffee Company in 2007.

The silent auction items include sports equipment skis, clothing, gear, everything from various vendors in town, Jager said.

Of course there will be food.

The menu, which will bring in more Kentucky Derby connections, will be donated by Clark Norris, from Deer Valley, Preston said.

In addition, celebrity athletes Billy Demong, Derek Parra, Chris Wadell and Emily Cook will be among those in attendance.

"The mission of the Alliance is to support winter sports activities for youth in Summit and Wasatch counties, promoting good sportsmanship and healthy lifestyles through participation, education and competition," Preston said. "We are able to do this with the generous donations from our sponsors and by the money we raise through the auctions and drawing.

"Last year we raised more than $300,000 for the teams," she said. "It's great that the Jans Winter Welcome has such a long history in this community."

The Jans Winter Welcome, a fundraiser for the Youth Winter Sports Alliance, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Silver Lake Lodge, upper Deer Valley, from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Admission tickets are $250 and tickets for the drawing are $50 apiece. Both can be purchased by visiting www.ywsa.org.