Ski History Gala Awards Top Honors

And SeniorsSkiing.com Makes A Contribution.

Ski Archives glittering gala was held on Nov. 5 at the Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Ski Archives glittering gala was held on Nov. 5 at the Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

The country’s largest ski history and research organization, Ski Archives, held its annual gala and fundraiser that helps support its mission. And SeniorSkiing.com contributed four gifts to the silent fund raising auction.

SeniorsSkiing.com contributed a gift bag to the Silent Auction Credit: Harriet Wallis

SeniorsSkiing.com contributed four gift bags to the Silent Auction.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

Each SeniorSkiing gift included ski socks by Darn Tough of Vermont, a GripPro hand strength trainer, and a Boot Horn that slides your foot easily into ski boots.

The Ski Archives gala event honors individuals and organizations that set the high mark for their influence on the ski industry.

This year, the late Dick Bass, the co-founder of Snowbird, unstoppable outdoor enthusiast, and the first person to climb the highest point on each of the seven continents, was posthumously awarded the S. J. Quinney Award for his contributions to the ski industry. Bass died in July.

“He had a life long love affair with Mother Nature,” said his son who accepted the award.

And Ski Utah earned the state’s top ski industry award—the J. Willard Marriott Library History-Maker Award—that’s presented for extraordinary accomplishments in winter sports.

For 40 years Ski Utah, the state’s non-profit trade organization, has been promoting Utah’s fabulous snow that pumps $1.3 billion annually into the state’s economy. It markets come-to-Utah tourism worldwide, and it fosters winter recreation for in-staters.

The late and legendary Dick Bass, co-founder of Snowbird, was honored for his contributions to the ski industry. Credit: Snowbird

The late and legendary Dick Bass, co-founder of Snowbird, was honored for his contributions to the ski industry.
Credit: Snowbird

In a nutshell, Ski Utah promotes the ski industry and the Ski Archives preserves the history of it.

The Ski Archives was founded about two decades ago by ski enthusiasts and visionaries who realized that historic ski photos and manuscripts should be collected to assure they wouldn’t be lost in dusty attics and that old albums wouldn’t be tossed out. The resulting collection is housed in Salt Lake City on the University of Utah campus in the J. Willard Marriott Library, and it’s called the Ski Archives. It has grown to be the largest cache of skiing and snow sports history in the country, it’s a prime research collection, and it’s open to the public. This year’s event was held November 5 at Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

 

France, nous t’aimons

MtBlanc

Mt. Blanc Credit: AndreaPerino

Snowbird

Special Edition: SeniorsSkiing.com Announces “Senior-Friendly” Resorts

Results of SeniorsSkiing.Com’s Recent Survey And Industry Research Reveals 16 Winners

Snowbird

Snowbird is one of 16 ski resorts designated as “Senior-Friendly” through SeniorsSkiing.com’s second annual ski area survey.

Sixteen resorts in the East. Midwest, West/Northwest, and Canada are recognized as “Senior Friendly” for their proactive efforts to meet the needs of older skiers.

The selection is based on input from SeniorsSkiing.com’s second annual survey of US and Canadian resorts, reader input, and industry sources. Factors taken into account include free or discounted lift tickets and a variety of features—such as resort-sponsored clubs, close-to-lodge parking, and other amenities—which readers of SeniorsSkiing.com have identified as important.

The resorts designated as friendliest to seniors are (*designated Senior-Friendly in 2014-15): 

East

Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett, New Hampshire

Special ski school clinics, discounts, clubs, social activities; $50 season pass (80+), 30% discount (65-79).

Cannon Mountain Ski Area, Franconia, New Hampshire

Ski school clinics, discounts, curbside assistance, $50 season pass (80+). 14% discount (65-79).

Cataloochee, Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Free skiing (65+).

Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, Vermont

Reserved areas in lodge, discounts: ski shops, rentals, school; area sponsored clubs, social activities, $20 season pass (70+0.

Sugarbush Resort, Warren, Vermont

$199 mid-week season (65+); free skiing (90+).

Waterville Valley Resort*, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire

Silver Streaks ski club: clinics, races, social events. 30% discount (65-79), $25 season pass (80+).

Midwest

Crystal Mountain, Traverse City, Michigan

“Retired Not Tired” program: provides local retirees opportunity to return to skiing; actively enjoy winter in the company of peers. 42% discounts for mid-week season passes (56+), $29 season pass (80+).

Mt Zion Ski Hill, Ironwood, Michigan

Ski school clinics, curbside assistance, close-to-lodge parking, restaurant discounts. Free skiing (70+), 20% discount (65-69).

 West/Northwest

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Colorado

Close-to-lodge parking, clubs and activities. Single day tickets $25 (70+), season pass $75.

Hogadon Ski Area, Casper, Wyoming

School clinics, equipment carts for gear, clubs and activities. 25% discount (65+), free skiing (70+).

Mt Hood Skibowl*, Government Camp, Oregon

School clinics, mid-week parties, clubs/activities, mid-week motor coach transportation. Free skiing (75+), 30% discount (65-69).

Purgatory Resort, Durango, Colorado

School clinics, equipment carts for gear, mid-week parties, curbside assistance, valet parking, close-to-lodge parking. 30 percent off season pass (65 -79), $120season pass (80+).

Snowbird, Snowbird, Utah

Generous season passes discount; 10% food discount for seniors in all dining facilities (including new Summit at Snowbird). Ask the cashier.

Sundance Mountain Resort, Sundance, Utah

Sundance Senior Ski Group (free for 65+); lift ticket ($15), season pass ($125). Includes all skiing, x-c ski/snowshoe trail facilities, use of lift in summer months. Coaching available on select dates throughout season.

Tahoe Donner, Truckee, California

School clinics and discounts, mid-week parties, close-to-lodge parking, clubs, awards banquets, equipment rental discounts. Free skiing (70+), 45% discount (65-69).

Canada

Lake Louise Ski Resort*, Lake Louise, Alberta

School, equipment discounts. Free skiing (80+), 20% discount (65-79)

All Senior-Friendly resorts will be receiving an award plaque from SeniorsSkiing.com.  Many of these resorts report that up to 40 percent of mid-week skiers are seniors taking advantage of fast lift lines, space in the lodge to spread out, as well as other low-cost, or no-cost amenities.

SeniorsSkiing.com salutes these resorts and thanks them for setting an example for the ski industry and for making seniors feel welcome.

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