Ski Industry Standouts Honored At Colorado Ski Country USA Double Diamond Awards

Wrapping up Colorado’s 2018-19 ski season, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) hosted its 56th Annual Meeting and the annual Double Diamond Award Ceremony to celebrate excellence in the Colorado ski industry. Among the honorees were athletes, on-mountain professionals and industry veterans whose hard work and expertise are critical to the success of the Colorado ski industry.

Double Diamond Award Winners from L-R: Ryan Loeb – Aspen Snowmass, On Behalf of Teresa Durlin, Mark Thurber and Sara Thurber – Colorado Ski Country USA, Mary Corrigan – Arapahoe Basin, Logan James – Purgatory Resort, Kenzie Radway – Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Mike Baumli – Sunlight Mountain Resort, Donald Nieters – Winter Park Resort, Brandon McFadden – Telluride Ski Resort, Joe Clark – Prinoth, Scott Bickel – Arapahoe Basin. 

Colorado’s ski industry leaders gathered at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek to recognize and celebrate ski area employees for their outstanding performance and dedication including food and beverage professionals, guest service professionals, ski instructors, ski patrollers, groomers, terrain masters, snowmakers and a winter athlete of the year. Two additional awards were given to long time industry professionals for the President’s and Board Chair’s awards.

Spencer Nelson All-Star Athlete of the Year

Kenzie Radway, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Kenzie, a freestyle mogul competitor, is “an athlete’s athlete and one of the finest athletes I have ever coached,” according to Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club coach Bobby Aldighieri. She works exceptionally hard to help her teammates both on and off the hill, balancing daily training and a busy competition schedule with school, volunteering and other athletic ventures. Kenzie’s hard work has paid off, winning the NorAm Tour in 2019 and a spot on the Olympic team. CSCUSA has supported Kenzie’s with a Colorado Rocky Mountain Division All-Star Pass, which has allowed her to train and compete at CSCUSA resorts.

Food and Beverage Professional of the Year

Mary Corrigan, Arapahoe Basin

Mary has worked in food and beverage for more than 12 years, including the last 7 years with Arapahoe Basin’s food and beverage department. Corrigan’s passion, consistency and attention to detail have made her an invaluable member of the team, helping Arapahoe Basin provide world-class dining experiences. This season, Mary was an integral part of both the conception and opening of the highest elevation restaurant in the U.S., Il Rifugio. Mary has received rave reviews for her skills and abilities from fellow staff and happy and well-fed skiers and riders all season long.

Guest Service Professional of the Year

Ryan Loeb, Aspen Snowmass

As Guest Services Supervisor at Aspen Snowmass, Ryan Loeb is devoted to providing a seamless guest experience and a safe, supportive and healthy work environment for the guest services team. Since he was hired in 1999 as a Ski Instructor for Aspen Snowmass, Loeb brings his depth of knowledge and experience to further develop inter-departmental relationships. Ryan always goes above and beyond to enrich every guest experience at Snowmass. His positive attitude, instinct and ability for leadership, his drive for continuous improvement and his excellent communication skills will make him an industry leader in guest services for many years to come. Snowmass General Manager, Susan Cross comments, “He cares about all people, whether they are coworkers, guests or his employees. Employees love working for him and we are proud to have him on our team.”

Ski Instructor of the Year

Donald Nieters, Winter Park Resort

As a ski instructor and trainer, Don Nieters’ technical knowledge, empathy, passion, professionalism and dedication to lifelong learning have spurred him to the top of Winter Park Resort’s Ski and Snowboard School.  His vision for the re-vamping of the 3-4-year-old lesson structure has been a huge success for Winter Park Resort. In addition, Don volunteers his time to teach fellow veterans to ski through the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Of Don, Training Manager Jacob Levy says, “Aside from being extremely passionate, he is a consistent model for others in how he conducts himself both in and out of lessons.”

Ski Patroller of the Year

Scott Bickel, Arapahoe Basin

The Ski Patroller of the Year, Scott Bickel, is an outstanding role model and patroller with nine years of experience. Coming to Arapahoe Basin by way of Keystone, Bickel won Arapahoe Basin’s “A-Mazing” award in 2017. His work is recognized and appreciated company wide. His instincts for safety, passion for guest service and determination to continue improving his skills and abilities have made him one of the most respected patrollers on the Arapahoe Basin team. “He never forgets that the quality of his work has tangible impacts on thousands of people who depend on him to get it right every day,” says Operations Director, Tony Cammarata. “He is exactly the type of professional by which the next generation of ski industry leaders should measure themselves.”

Groomer of the Year

Logan James, Purgatory Resort

Purgatory Resort has been Logan James’ home from the very beginning, where he quite literally grew up riding in a car seat when his dad was a winch cat operator. Logan’s first job at Purgatory started when he was 17 and because he has skied at Purgatory his whole life, Logan’s passion and respect for the mountain are unparalleled; giving him a keen eye for grooming. According to his Supervisor, Logan has set patterns that haven’t been done before and continues to increase efficiency in the trails department. As the Lead Winch Operator, Logan is looked to lead his fleet as well as handle special projects.

Terrain Master of the Year

Brandon McFadden, Telluride Ski Resort

Since he joined the Telluride Ski Resort terrain park team four years ago, Brandon McFadden has risen the ranks to Terrain Park Head Builder. McFadden’s dedication to the program and desire to learn matches the quality of product he produces each night. His tireless effort and dedication to the parks and to his team is remarkable. He always looks for ways to push his knowledge and understanding of the park. Terrain Park Manager, Hannah Smith says, “His skills are called upon by all departments in mountain operations…and without his work ethic, knowledge and eagerness to learn, Telluride Ski Resort could not have been what it was this season.”

Snowmaker of the Year

Mike Baumli, Sunlight Mountain Resort

According to his team, Snowmaker/Mountain Manager, Mike Baumli, deserves credit for improving the snowmaking operation systems at Sunlight Mountain Resort. Baumli started at Sunlight in 2004 and brought a wealth of snowmaking experience from his work at Keystone, Mt. Jeans, Eldora and Aspen Mountain. He shows an unparalleled commitment to safety, a strong work ethic and to creating positive guest experiences.  His passion for the mountain and his team has earned him the respect of everyone who works with him. Baumli leads the snowmaking team and works tirelessly to create excellent skiing and riding conditions for Sunlight Mountain Resort guests.

President’s Award

Joe Clark, Prinoth

Colorado native, Joe Clark, was born in Glenwood Springs and began his work in the ski industry as a parking lot attendant for Vail at the age of 16. Some of his noted roles include Lift Maintenance supervisor at Vail, Assistant Mountain Manager at Kirkwood, Division Manager with Mountain Services, Regional Manager with LMC and Regional Manager with Bombardier/ Prinoth for the last 26 years. His contribution and dedication to the ski industry is unparalleled. Joe has been an integral and long-standing member of CSCUSA’s Snow Conference Committee and to the efforts to provide continued educational and networking opportunities for mountain operations professionals in Colorado and beyond.

Chair’s Award

Teresa Durlin, Colorado Ski Country USA

Teresa Durlin is being recognized for her commitment and dedication to Colorado Ski Country USA and Colorado’s ski industry overall. She retired from CSCUSA after 30 years of managing the books as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer. She aptly steered the organization through good times and bad. Starting in 1988, she was a trusted advisor to six CSCUSA Presidents and saw the remarkable growth of the ski industry in Colorado during her career.