Industry News
2023 Class Represents Telluride, Crested Butte, Aspen, Copper Mountain, Boulder, Vail, and Colorado; Induction Ceremony Will Take Place on August 27 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, Colorado.
The nominations have been submitted, and snow sports industry professionals cast votes, and today the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the Class of 2023, an inspiring group of snow sports enthusiasts representing a wide range of people from across Colorado and from the industry.
“Every class of inductees is different and this year we celebrate individuals who have dedicated their lives to educating, inspiring, and preserving snow sports in Colorado. This class truly represents what the Colorado Snowsports Museum is all about. We’re proud of the Class of 2023; each person represents a unique area of Colorado and illustrates the fact that Colorado as a whole leads the way in snow sports.”
– Jennifer Mason, Executive Director of the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame
The 2023 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Class:
Cheryl Jensen – Inspirational
Cheryl Jensen’s contribution to the snow sports community has been lifesaving. She founded The Vail Veterans Program, introducing veterans to alpine sports independently and with loved ones. Keeping veterans active from the beginning of their recovery greatly improves their mental and physical health, giving them hope and confidence in their future. Many Veterans who have experienced Cheryl’s generosity and kindness have made Colorado their home, becoming leaders in their communities and champions in Paralympic sports and life.
Hilaree Nelson – Athlete | Inspirational
Hilaree Nelson was among the most accomplished ski mountaineers and alpinists on the planet. She is well-known for her “firsts,” such as summiting and skiing 8,000-meter peaks worldwide, notably becoming the first woman to summit two 8000-meter peaks (Everest and Lhotse) in a 24-hour period. Hilaree leveraged her platform to bring attention to pertinent issues such as climate change and empower young girls and women. She subconsciously and consciously opened doors and changed the rules of equity and access for the next generation.
John Norton – Sport Builder
During John’s career in Crested Butte and Aspen, he simply made the Colorado ski resorts and communities better. His contributions to marketing programs, special events, community alliance-building, and the guest experience encouraged other resort leaders to seek other opportunities and programs to keep pace. His accomplishments include pioneering non-stop airline programs, founding the adaptive program at Crested Butte, introducing “ski-free” programs to attract new customers, and convincing the Aspen Ski Corporation to lift the snowboard ban to develop a four-mountain experience to accommodate all demographics, abilities, and lifestyles.
Sandy Hildner – Sport Builder
Diverse trailblazer extraordinaire Sandy trained with the University of Colorado Men’s Ski Team before a women’s ski team existed. Inspiring women athletes, she won National Championships, the Roch Cup in 1967 and raced Olympic downhill in 1968. Sandy innovated Lange boots and was one of only two women in the ski hard goods industry in the 1960s. She was the first female Winter Park Ski Team coach, embedding world-class skiing techniques and the mental preparation necessary to excel at the highest levels. Sandy led Copper Mountain’s Over the Hill Gang for 20 seasons and was instrumental in offering women’s clinics.
Seth Masia – Inspirational
Few Colorado-based ski writers are respected as widely as Seth Masia. He pioneered online ski journalism as a key editor and writer for SKI Magazine at the peak of its influence. His tenure with SKI Magazine, his Presidency of the International Skiing History Association, and numerous books, articles, and skiing-related internet accomplishments are notable. His leadership has been built on the work of his predecessors to create an unparalleled record of snow sports history.
“We are delighted to announce the class of 2023, which represents a tremendous and diverse group of athletes, sports builders and inspirational individuals from all across the state of Colorado from Boulder to Crested Butte to Telluride.”
– Bill Tomcich, longtime board member of the Colorado Snowsports Museum and chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee
Hall of Fame candidates are nominated under the established criteria of Athlete, Sport Builder, Inspirational, or Pioneer categories. The Hall of Fame Nomination Committee evaluates and confirms the nominees for the final ballot. The 140-member Hall of Fame Voting Panel comprises current Hall of Fame members, key snow sports industry representatives, snow sports resorts, and the Hall’s board of directors. Learn more about our Hall of Fame here, https://www.snowsportsmuseum.org/hall-of-fame
The annual induction ceremony – an inspiring, family-friendly event – will occur on Sunday, August 27, at the beautiful Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, Colorado. The open-air event is a great way to celebrate the inductees and Colorado snow sports, and ticket prices start at just $50 for adults, with all proceeds going to support the Colorado Snowsports Museum, a non-profit organization, and the State of Colorado’s official snow sports museum. Tickets will be available soon.
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