NASJA Writing Awards Announced

The North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) bestowed their top awards in the field of snow sports writing and photography for 2007 and honored three notable persons who have made significant contributions to winter sports endeavors. The awards, this year presented at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, were revealed at a banquet on March 29, 2008 that was the climax of the organization’s annual meeting.

I am honored to report that I was awarded the 2007 Harold S. Hirsch Award for Internet Writing. I sincerely appreciate NASJA's endorsement of my work and efforts to promote skiing as a family winter activity to be enjoyed at any age. I also want to thank those in the ski industry, the skiers, and the vistiors to this site who have provided insight, commentary, and support - I couldn't do what I do without you.

The Carson White-Golden Quill Award, named after the group’s first president, honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to snow sports in North America. For 2008, the honor went to long-time SnowSports Industries America (SIA) president David Ingemie. NASJA’s 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Cecile Ryden Johnson, a well-known watercolor artist who created lasting works of winter scenery, sports and imagery from countless resorts and mountainsides.

Bonnie MacPherson, the media relations director at Vermont’s Okemo Resort, is the recipient of the 2008 Bob Gillen Memorial Award. This award, named in honor of a former Ski Magazine editor and marketing wizard of Crested Butte and Sugarbush ski resorts, honors an individual who exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism in public relations and media communications.

The Harold S. Hirsch Awards, named after the ski clothing pioneer-creator of the White Stag Company, honors the best writers in the snowsports journalism fields of magazines, newspapers, columns and internet and for winter sports photography. In addition to my award for Internet Writing, in Magazine Writing, Chris Solomon captured the Hirsch trophy and some Head skis for his 2007 stories. Claudia Carbone took home the Columns honors for 2007. Tops in Newspaper Writing for 2007 was freelancer Hilary Nangle. In the category of Snowsports Photography, Karl Weatherly of Ketchum, Idaho took top honors.

_{Photo Copyright Mike Doyle}