NSAA Honors Best in Ski Industry at Annual Awards Ceremony

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 Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, May 14.

• Related: [VIDEO] Viral Weather Report Video From Seven Springs Ski Area, PA, Wins ‘Best Social Media Campaign’ Award

NSAA award finalists and winners are listed below by category.

• Conversion Cup (growth and beginner conversion)
• Golden Eagle Awards (sustainability)
• Sustainable Slopes Grants
• Marketing Awards
• Safety Awards

“These annual awards allow NSAA to showcase some of the industry’s best work. When skiers and riders visit their favorite mountain, few understand the efforts exerted behind the scenes to deliver exceptional experiences. Ski areas work year-round to improve operations and build their brand and community, with an eye on the future.”

– Kelly Pawlak, NSAA president and CEO

2022 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.

• Palisades Tahoe, CA
• Ski Saint-Bruno, Quebec, CAN
• Snowbasin Resort Co., UT
• Winter 4 Kids, NJ

Golden Eagle Awards for Sustainability

Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence

• Alta Ski Area, UT
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
• Snowbird, UT

Innovation in Sustainability

• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
• Snowbasin Resort Co., UT
• Sunlight Mountain Resort, CO

Climate Change Impact Award

• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
• Vail Resorts, CO
• Wild Mountain, MN

Hero of Sustainability

• Bonnie Hickey, Bridger Bowl, MT
• Kate Wilson, Vail Resorts, CO

Sustainable Slopes Grants

In addition to the Golden Eagle Awards, NSAA and partner HKD Snowmakers awarded Sustainable Slopes Grants to four ski areas. Launched in 2009, this grant program provides cash and in-kind funding to support sustainability projects. To date, over $700,000 in cash and in-kind funding has been awarded to ski areas seeking to reduce their footprint and increase their environmental stewardship.

This year, NSAA distributed a total of $15,000 to three member ski areas to help make their sustainability initiatives possible. Grants will support both on-the-ground action and collaborative stewardship. The 2022 recipients are:

• Big Sky Resort (MT) – funding start of multi-stream waste program
• Cooper Spur (OR) – funding purchase of Earth Cube composting unit
• Copper Mountain Resort (CO) – supporting regional Conservation Summit

NSAA thanks dedicated sponsor HKD Snowmakers for providing equipment to ski areas to make their snowmaking programs more efficient and sustainable. This year, HKD Snowmakers awarded in-kind grants to two ski areas: Massanutten Resort, VA, and Mount Pleasant of Edinboro, PA. These ski areas lead by example, incorporating sustainable practices and environmental stewardship into all aspects of their resorts, including snowmaking. Each ski area will be awarded over $30,000 of energy-efficient HKD snowguns.

“I’d like to congratulate Massanutten and Mount Pleasant of Edinboro for implementing their vision of sustainability and climate protection, particularly as it relates to their snowmaking operations. My father-in-law, Herman K. Dupre, believed that it’s our obligation to leave the earth better than we found it, and it’s clear both of these resorts exemplify that philosophy.”

– Charles Santry, president of HKD Snowmakers

• Massautten Resort (VA) – five HKD Impulse towers
• Mount Pleasant of Edinboro (PA) – two HKD Volts with onboard air compressors

Marketing Awards

Best Overall Marketing Campaign

• Boreal/Woodward, CA
• Jay Peak Resort, VT
• Mountain Creek Resort, NJ

Most Unique Campaign

• Shawnee Mountain, PA
• Snowbird, UT
• Trollhaugen, WI

Best Social Media Campaign

• Mountain Creek Resort, NJ
• Seven Springs Mountain Resort, PA
• Wild Mountain, MN

Best Use of Video

• Alta Ski Area, UT
• Granite Peak Ski Area, WI
• Trollhaugen, WI

Safety Awards

Best Overall Safety Program

• Gore Mountain, NY
• Taos Ski Valley, NM
• Whitefish Mountain Resort, MT

Best Employee Safety Program

• Breckenridge Ski Resort, CO

Best Guest Safety Program

• Copper Mountain Resort, CO
• Eldora Mountain Resort, CO
• Killington Mountain Resort, VT

Safety Champion

• Mark Roberts, Gore Mountain, NY
• Bob Piede, Holiday Valley Resort, NY
• Kaitlyn Schwalbe, Snowbasin Resort Co., UT

Safety Impact Award

• Mary Bozack, MountainGuard Insurance Program