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About Us
Photo op  A NASJA West member takes the plunge off a cornice at Jackson Hole in Wyoming during a 2006 outing. Dino Vournas photo |
Who we are
The North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) is a professional group of more than 250 writers, authors, photographers, filmmakers and broadcasters who report ski- and snowboard-related news, information and features throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, via the various media.Corporate members include media contacts or employees of ski/snowboard-related businesses, such as resorts, convention and visitor associations, equipment and clothing manufacturers, or any others who have a commercial interest in the journalistic coverage of those sports.
NASJA is an "umbrella" association of three regional affiliates that represent Eastern North America, Midwestern North America and Western North America.
Members must meet membership requirements during evaluations which occur every year or every other year as determined by each region
NASJA's history
NASJA's birth was in San Francisco, Calif., on June 14, 1963, as the United States Ski Writers Association. Fifteen writers participated in the charter meeting, including Carson White, who was elected president. (In 1994 NASJA renamed its Golden Quill award the Carson White Golden Quill award in his honor.)
The association has changed its name twice, once in 1991 to the North American Ski Journalists Association, to reflect the varying work done by its members and to recognize its Canadian members; and again in 1998 to the North American Snowsports Journalists Association, to reflect the growing importance of snowboarding within the industry.
 A NASJA guest, Mike Malone, clears the last gate during the annual ski races at Kimberley in British Columbia in 2006. Dino Vournas photo |
NASJA's purpose
We provide a forum for ski and snowboard journalists to exchange ideas and opinions encourage high standards in snow-sports journalism help journalists contact those who can provide needed information for their work identify those journalists who report on snow sports frequently each season, and provide a list of such members to industry sources for distribution of their information and invitations to press functions develop a network for the professional growth and advancement of members to recognize outstanding achievements among members and in the sport
Why qualified journalists should join
Through regional press trips and NASJA's annual meeting, held each spring at a North American ski resort, members have the opportunity to meet their peers and representatives of the snow-sports industry.
Professional growth topics and seminars provide a valuable information source at these meetings, especially for those who work as freelance journalists. Current members often cite networking as the biggest benefit of joining NASJA.
A few examples of how it works: Journalists who are just entering the field can meet and learn from veterans. Editors can get to know, then hire, journalists who can help them meet their deadlines.
Journalists meet corporate members who can help them with stories. Corporate members meet journalists from all over the continent, who work for hundreds of news outlets.
Corporate members from all over the continent can exchange ideas and solutions to common problems.
In addition to the opportunities for networking with journalistic peers and members of the ski industry at the regional and international meetings held by NASJA, other benefits include: listing in the annual Membership Directory and Industry Source Book distributed to all journalist and corporate members; invitations for media familiarization trips, including the annual NASJA spring meeting; recognition for outstanding journalism via the annual Harold Hirsch Awards program.
How to Join
