For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Molly Cuffe, 303.915.0277, molly@coloradoski.com
Nick Bohnenkamp, 303.866.9724, nick@coloradoski.com
Colorado Ski Country Announces Annual Industry Award Winners
COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo., June 14, 2007- Colorado Ski Country USA
(CSCUSA) recognized the Annual Colorado Ski Industry Award winners
today at the 44th CSCUSA Annual Meeting and Forum at Copper
Mountain Resort.
The awards have become an annual tradition for CSCUSA and its
members to honor the outstanding leaders in the ski industry for
their hard work, commitment and unique innovations to the Colorado
ski industry.
"These individuals set the bar for Colorado and ski destinations
around the world," said Rob Perlman, President and CEO of CSCUSA.
"Their dedication to the sport of skiing helps make Colorado the
destination of choice for millions of guests each season."
Each year, coaches, resort supervisors and managers nominate one
outstanding candidate from their resort. The CSCUSA committee of
judges, comprised of industry peers, chooses award finalists based
on an application letter and interview. Final judging criteria
include professionalism, dedication, contribution, leadership and
attitude.
It's peer recognition that really makes these awards special. Annie
Black, 2005-06 Instructor of the Year explains, "It was the biggest
award I've ever received. To be recognized by my peers was a huge
honor and I'm still shocked that I received it. Getting an award
for a job that I love, from those I respect is the icing on the
cake."
CSCUSA Annual Industry Awards recognize the year's most outstanding
performers in the categories of: Slope Groomer, Snowmaker, Terrain
Master, Ski Patroller, Instructor, Adaptive Athlete, Male All-Star
Athlete, Female All-Star Athlete and Lifetime Achievement.
This year's winners are as follows:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
John R. Fetcher- Steamboat Springs
John Fetcher was born in Winnetka, Ill., on New Year's Day, 1912.
Fetcher received his masters' degree in business and engineering
from Harvard University in 1935. He moved to Steamboat Springs with
his college sweetheart in 1949, became the Vice President and Chief
Engineer for the Storm Mountain Ski Corporation from 1959-1962, and
President of the Mount Werner Ski Company from 1962-1971, re-named
after the tragic death of friend Buddy Werner in an
avalanche.
Fetcher supervised the construction of Steamboat Spring's
Thunderhead double lift in 1965 opening Heavenly Daze, Vertigo,
Concentration, and Vagabond runs. Fetcher and wife Criss were the
first and last passengers on the old Thunderhead double. He also
oversaw construction of the Four Points, Burgess Creek, and
Headwall double lifts as well as the six-passenger Stagecoach
Gondola which remained in operation until 1986 when it was replaced
by today's eight-passenger gondola.
Steamboat's ski history goes beyond the Steamboat Ski Area.
Howelsen Hill, the home of the Ski Town USA® Nordic Combined World
Cup and training ground for numerous Olympians may not have existed
if it weren't for John. In 1959, he supervised a $10 thousand
remodeling of Howelsen creating official 90-meter and 60-meter
jumps, the 90-meter being one of only four in North America at that
time. In 1975, Fetcher chaired the Jump Commission, which raised
$1.1 million in donations to build the multi-jump complex that
stands today. On January 28th, 1978, during the North American Ski
Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships, the jumping complex and
Fetcher Tower were officially dedicated, and the city proclaimed
that day John Fetcher Day.
He became a member of the National Ski Hill Engineering Committee
in 1952, and the National Ski Patrol in 1959, of which he is still
an active member. In 1983 Fetcher was inducted into the Colorado
Ski Hall of Fame, and in 2000 was awarded the first ever Heritage
Award by the City of Steamboat Springs.
At 95, Fetcher still ranches with his family and is a pioneer in
land and water conservation issues. He has helped lead the way in
open space preservation and continuation of viable agriculture.
Fetcher has touched every part of the Yampa Valley over his decades
of service to the community. Sometimes called a renaissance man, he
is an innovative rancher, an accomplished skier, a champion squash
player, and "a walking encyclopedia on water issues".
SLOPE GOOMER OF THE YEAR
Sean (Vern) Murphy- Grooming Foreman, Winter Park
Vern has been at Winter Park for 22 years. Starting as a snowmaker,
he was added to the grooming department because of his attitude and
good nature. He worked the grooming graveyard shift for nine years,
eight of which he was a foreman. Vern then transferred to the
evening grooming crew, was again promoted foreman, and continues to
set the bar for other groomers. Combining a contagious, upbeat
attitude with solid leadership ability, Vern's positive influence
can be seen in his entire crew. Regarding safety awareness, it has
been said that the only thing Vern is unsafe on is his personal
snowmobile, but it's believed to be defective because it's always
upside down.
SNOWMAKER OF THE YEAR
Josh Angevine- Assistant Snowmaking Manager, Eldora Mountain
Resort
Josh has been with Eldora Snowmaking for four seasons. Having no
industry experience, he started as a true rookie, ready to take on
any job large or small. Josh's rookie status did not last long. In
his first season he became a shift Team Leader, and soon after
became a Lead Foreman in the department. Most recently he became
the Assistant Snowmaking Manager and has excelled in setting his
crew's tone to get the job done. From safety to snow placement to
varying weather conditions, Josh is the definition of a true
snowmaker.
TERRAIN MASTER OF THE YEAR
Nick Symon- Half Pipe Supervisor, Breckenridge Ski Resort
Nick started his career as a snowmaker with no experience. In four
years, he worked to become a Master Snowmaker, playing major parts
in the terrain park and halfpipe snowmaking processes. To
facilitate his interest in the halfpipe and park, he transferred to
the grooming crew, acquiring a solid hand and smooth blade skills.
Nick co-created a team that produced the number one halfpipe in
North America two years in a row. He currently oversees all
halfpipe operations for Breckenridge. His great personality and
unprecedented work ethic allow him to continually progress and
produce outstanding results.
SKI PATROLLER OF THE YEAR
Rebecca "Becs" Hodgetts - Special Skills Patroller - Training
Coordinator, Arapahoe Basin
Rebecca's technical resume speaks for itself. She is one of
Arapahoe Basin's strongest leaders in every aspect of ski
patrolling, including emergency and medical response, avalanche
work, avalanche dog handling, accident investigation, trail work,
and risk management. Even so, it's Rebecca's undeniable spirit that
separates her from the pack. She has a never-ending desire to
develop and improve other patrollers, staff members and the
community. Rebecca has been sought out by agencies including the
Colorado Avalanche Information Center and the USDA Forest Service
to help with public education programs. She is a tremendous leader
and strategist striving to make ski patrol better tomorrow than it
is today.
INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Dustin Dyar - Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Dustin embraces the guest-centered approach to teaching and
believes that building relationships with his students is the
foundation of achieving student goals. Dustin has been recognized
multiple times as Crested Butte Mountain Resort's number one
requested instructor. Guests often comment that his effective and
enjoyable style is the major reason they return to Crested Butte
every season. He is a gifted educator, instilling a commitment to
excellence and improvement not only in his students, but also his
co-workers. Dustin is the pro that many instructors seek for advice
regarding both the technical and guest relation aspects of ski
instruction.
ADAPTIVE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Sandy Lahmann - Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
Sandy has been an adaptive skier with the Breckenridge Outdoor
Education Center's Adaptive Ski Program for two years. She
participated in the weeklong Annual Mono-Ski Camp, skiing five
hours a day, and had a standing weekly ski lesson throughout the
season, all while battling Multiple Sclerosis (MS). One of Sandy's
most notable qualities is the way she interacts with other
students; always eager to verbalize what skiing means to her and
how it relates to her battle with MS. In Sandy's words, "It's the
most amazing opportunity to find out how able I am. I feel capable,
strong and free when I am on the mountain."
MALE ALL-STAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Abe Maynard - Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Steamboat
Springs
Abe started skiing in Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club junior
level programs and has continued to excel throughout high school,
culminating this year with his participation in the NorAm circuit,
a world class ski racing circuit drawing top racers from around the
world. Because of his work ethic, Abe's coaching staff placed him
in an intense training group, training six days a week throughout
the year. Showing the most improvement in the group, as well as the
most dedication, Abe is an inspiration to skiers around him.
FEMALE ALL-STAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Katie Hartman - Team Summit
The past four years Katie has developed as a strong athlete, ready
to seize her potential. She has blossomed into a four-event threat
at the highest level of ski racing in North America. In the NorAm
circuit this year, Katie was consistently in the top 15 and always
a threat to be on the junior podium. Her point totals put her in an
impressive ninth place for the season in the super-G discipline and
28th in the combined overall. Katie's NorAm season was highlighted
with a guaranteed spot on the US Women's Junior Worlds Team, one of
only two women not on the national team to qualify for this
honor.
# # #
Colorado Ski Country USA is the non-profit trade association
representing Colorado's 26 ski & snowboard resorts. Information
about the organization and its members can be found at
www.coloradoski.com
