NSAA Honors Best in Ski Industry 2025 at Annual Awards Ceremony

Association recognizes innovative strategies in sustainability, safety, marketing and growth.

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) named the winners of its annual awards in sustainability, safety, marketing, and beginner conversion (growth). The awards were presented to ski area members with the most innovative and successful programs in each category at the association’s National Convention and Tradeshow in Marco Island, Florida, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

NSAA award finalists and winners are listed below, by category, along with links to lists of previous winners.

2025 NSAA Award Winners and Finalists

Winners are indicated in bold.

Conversion Cup

Awarded to the ski area that demonstrates through quantitative results that they are turning beginner skiers and riders into repeat customers, and ultimately lifelong enthusiasts of the sport.

• Boreal Mountain, CA
• Powderhorn Mountain Resort, CO
• Red Lodge Mountain, MT

Golden Eagle Awards for Sustainability

Overall Environmental Excellence

• Copper Mountain Resort, CO
• The Summit at Snoqualmie, WA
• Vail Resorts, CO

Community & Partnerships

• Eldora Mountain Resort, CO
• Mount Southington, CT
• Snowbird, UT

Climate Change Impact

• Boyne Mountain Resort, MI
• Breckenridge Ski Resort, CO
• Sun Valley Resort, ID

Hero of Sustainability

• Anna Nason | Mt. Rose Ski – Tahoe, NV
• Hunter Wright | Eldora Mountain Resort, CO
• Megan Wagaman | Copper Mountain Resort, CO

Innovation in Sustainability

• Blue Mountain Resort, Canada
• Copper Mountain Resort, CO
• Vail Resorts, CO

Sustainable Slopes Grants

In addition to the Golden Eagle Awards, the NSAA, along with partners HKD Snowmakers and PepsiCo, awarded Sustainable Slopes Grants to nine ski areas. Launched in 2009 and now in its 16th year, this grant program provides cash and in-kind funding to support sustainability projects. To date, over $975,535 in cash and in-kind funding has been awarded to ski areas that seek to reduce their environmental footprint and increase their environmental stewardship.

Cash Grant:

• Wisp Resort, MD
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
• Steamboat Ski Resort, CO
• Mt. Ashland Association, OR

HKD Sustainable Snowmaking Grant (sponsored by HKD):

• Big Sky Resort, MT
• Sugarbush Resort, VT

Recycling Grant (sponsored by PepsiCo):

• Big Sky Resort, MT
• Copper Mountain Resort, CO
• Bridger Bowl Ski Area, MT

This year, ski areas could apply for three types of grants: the Cash Grant, which provides funding for sustainability projects; the Herman K. Dupré Sustainable Snowmaking Grant, which offers energy-efficient snowmaking equipment; and the new Recycling Grant, which provides funding for recycling projects sponsored by PepsiCo. NSAA thanks its dedicated sponsors, HKD Snowmakers and PepsiCo, for providing these opportunities for ski areas.

“Sugarbush and Big Sky both have well outlined goals in mind for continuing to improve snowmaking energy efficiency on critical terrain. HKD Snowmakers is excited to award this grant, together with NSAA, and continue to support both resorts in reducing their overall environmental impact,” said Charles Santry, president of HKD Snowmakers, in recognition of the grant recipients.

Marketing Awards

Best Overall Campaign (over 500k visits)

• Deer Valley Resort, UT
• SkiBig3, Canada
• Steamboat Resort, CO
• Snowbasin Resort, UT

Best Overall Campaign (under 500k visits)

• Bogus Basin, ID
• Jay Peak Resort, VT
• Taos Ski Valley, NM

Best Social Media Campaign

• Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort, NC
• Palisades Tahoe, CA
• Snow Snake Ski and Golf, MI

Best Use of Video

• Deer Valley Resort, UT
• Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, PA
• Whistler Blackcomb, BC, Canada

Mountains Are For Everyone

• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
• Bolton Valley, VT
• Mt. Bachelor, OR
• Snowbird, UT

Safety Awards

Best Overall Safety Program (over 500k visits)

• Copper Mountain Resort, CO
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
• Mammoth Mountain, CA

Best Overall Safety Program (under 500k visits)

• Hyland Hills Ski Area, MN
• Purgatory Resort, CO
• Stratton, VT

Best Collision Prevention Program

• Killington/Pico Resort, VT

Best Your Responsibility Code Program

• Arizona Snowbowl, AZ
• Loon Mountain Resort, NH
• Stratton, VT

Best Guest Safety Program

• BigRock Mountain, ME
• Boreal Mountain, CA
• Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, PA

Best Employee Safety Program

• Heavenly Mountain Resort, CA
• Mammoth Mountain, CA
• Vail Mountain, CO

Safety Champion

• Dina Castor | Steamboat Resort, CO
• Jenny Weaver | Mammoth Mountain, CA
• Kari Brandt | Diamond Peak Ski Resort, NV