Awards

Dino Vournas received the award presented to the journalist whose work best captures the spirit and dedication that Mitch Kaplan brought to the coverage of snowsports. A longtime NASJA member, Vournas has spent years documenting skiing through images, always with a clear love for the sport and the people who make it what it is. His work helps preserve the feeling of being in the mountains, and moments that keep skiers coming back year after year. The award is named for Mitch Kaplan, a former NASJA Secretary-Treasurer and multiple Harold S. Hirsch Award winner.

Tom Kelly received NASJA’s highest honor, the Carson White Snowsports Achievement Award, which is presented to an individual whose work has made a lasting contribution to the advancement of North American snowsports. Kelly, who is currently chief communicator of the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, has spent his career helping tell the stories of skiing and winter sport with passion, credibility and a deep respect for the people behind the headlines. Through his work in media, public relations and industry leadership, he has helped connect athletes, journalists, organizations and fans in a way few people have. For many in the snowsports world, Tom has been a trusted voice, a generous colleague and a steady champion for the sport.

Erik Mogensen was recognized for achievements in snowsports public and media relations. Through honest newsletters and regular communication, Mogensen, who in addition to owning Black Mountain is CEO of Indy Pass and snowsports technology company Entabeni Systems, brought skiers, media and the broader community into the unfolding story of a small independent ski area making headlines. Judges said his work around Black Mountain this season stood out because people were not just reading updates, they were following a story. Even those who had never heard of or skied Black Mountain found themselves paying attention. His work reflected the transparency, care and independent spirit that keep local ski culture alive. The award is named for Bob Gillen, former SKI Magazine editor and marketer at Crested Butte and Sugarbush resorts.

Three-time Olympian Jessie Diggins was honored for another remarkable season in cross-country skiing. Diggins added to her historic career with a bronze medal in the women’s 10km freestyle at the 2026 Winter Olympics, showing once again the grit and heart that have made her one of the most inspiring athletes in American skiing. She also clinched her fourth overall World Cup title during the World Cup Finals in Lake Placid at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. This was a special moment for American cross-country skiing and for NASJA’s corporate members at ORDA. The award is named in memory of Paul Robbins, who spent 30 years as the primary journalist for the U.S. Ski Team.

Images Category: Dino Vournas was honored for his submitted skiing image in the Harold S. Hirsch Images category. A longtime NASJA member and accomplished photographer, Vournas captured a scene that reflects both the beauty and feeling of skiing — the setting, the skier, the mountains and the moment all coming together in one memorable frame.

Podcast Category: Stuart Winchester, publisher of the Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast, was honored for Episode #211, Rob Katz, Vail CEO. The episode stood out because of the way Stuart approaches the conversation, giving listeners the kind of thoughtful, in-depth interview that is hard to find. Judges recognized his ability to ask strong questions, follow the story where it goes, and build a full podcast experience around the episode, from the interview itself to the show notes, supporting photos and background materials that make the work feel complete.

Words Category, Recurring: Moira McCarthy was honored for her Ski Wednesday columns in the Boston Herald, including “Burke Remains a Northeast Kingdom Jewel,” “There’s a Cure for the Powder Flu” and “Sugarloaf Is Still Sweet.” Her columns do what good local ski writing does best, make readers want to go. Judges noted her ability to capture the feel of a mountain, the rhythm of a ski day and the practical details skiers actually want to know, all with the voice of someone who clearly loves being out there.

Words Category, Stand-Alone: Peggy Shinn was honored for her Slate article on Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin and the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Judges praised the piece as the kind of writing that stays with you: sharp, funny and full of heart. Shinn, a longtime NASJA member, brought more than race results to the page. She found the human story inside the moment, which is exactly what strong snowsports journalism should do.