NASJA's 2007 Award Announcements

For Excellence in Snowsports Journalism for Column Writing in newspapers or magazines, one of two honorable mentions in a hotly contested category goes to Center Conway, New Hampshire's own syndicated columnist and author and two-time Hirsch Award winner Marty Basch This is Marty's 6th honorable mention, but as he says, "Who's counting?"

Newspaper Writing

Magazine Writing

Last but not least in our writing awards segment, is NASJA's newest Hirsch category, which was first awarded in 2000.The judges had this to say, "This writer offers in-depth and first person looks at trends and seeks out sources that make for great reading. Lots of interesting topics for all skiers. Never a dull moment." The recipient got his start in writing as the press secretary for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, moving to print media and finally drawn into cyberspace.The winner is from Stillwater, New York, and is "ABOUT.COMs" skiing guide and all-conveyance winter enthusiast, Mike Doyle.

Snow Sports Photography

The last, but surely not the least, Hirsch Award is given for Excellence in Snow Sports Photography.The panel of 4 judges is among the elite of photojournalism.Of the winner, the judges commented, "This photographer had the best sense of light and composition. It really drew us in."Excellent action photos shot by someone with obvious expert skiing skills. The photographer got into great positions to make strong images."The winner of the photography award is a freelance photojournalist based in Ketchum, Idaho. His work has appeared in most major ski and sports magazines and is presently at home on the websites of Getty Images and Corbis.This Harold S. Hirsch award goes to now 2-time photography winner, Karl Weatherly.

2008 Award Winners

Carson White-Golden Quill Award

This Year's recipient spent his New England youth skiing fast, occasionally crashing and occasionally losing his pass. He cut his teeth in public relations at Mt Wachusett ski area and then as the first full-time executive director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. Recruited in 1976 to be the Snowsports Industries of America, SIA, marketing director, his first command decision was to admit to his boss that he could indeed break into his car.
In 1981 he became SIA president, where he continues to this day, 37 years and counting. He keeps it serious. He has to, with a business that depends on the weather, free time and disposable income. And he keeps it fun. You can ask him about clister-waxing an opponent's skis sometime. An avid bicyclist too, the 2008 Carson White Golden Quill award goes to Mr. David Ingemie

Lifetime Achievement Award

This Nasja Award, is the Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in Snowsports competition, innovation, equipment design or other snowsports-related accomplishment or endeavor. This year's award goes to a woman who was destined to make her mark in the snow world. After all she was born in a blizzard! She has gained worldwide recognition as a painter of sports and winter events and for depicting the unique beauty of locations around the world. Her work has appeared in some 42 issues of Skiing magazine. Some of her images, including the barn at Steamboat, have become iconic. She has been featured on ABC's Wide World of Sports, the BBC and CNN. During her decades-long career...we promised not to disclose the number... She likes to say that "Every time it snowed I felt like something exciting was going to happen—it was just like magic. "Ladies and gentlemen, the Lifetime Achievement award goes to Cecile Ryden Johnson.

Bob Gillen Memorial Award

We first met our new honoree as the PR director for the Mount Washington Hotel and Bretton Woods resort. Her stories of the happenings and history of this glorious resort, kept you glued to your seat. She moved on to Loon Mountain and Cranmore, generating scores of clippings in her wake, and settled at Okemo Mountain Resort, Vermont, even taking a broken bone for the team at last year's NASJA at Crested Butte. Her nominator asks the question, "Is there anyone nicer in the industry or more effective at her job? Apparently not. NASJA members and guests, we give you the 2008 Bob Gillen Memorial Award winner, Okemo's Bonnie MacPherson.