NSAA Honors Best In Ski Industry At Annual Awards Ceremony

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) named the winners of its annual awards in safety, sustainability, marketing, and growth (beginner conversion). The awards were presented to ski area members with the most innovative and successful programs in each category at the association’s National Convention and Tradeshow in Carlsbad, California, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

NSAA award finalists and winners are listed below, by category, along with links to learn more about each finalist and see lists of previous winners.

2026 NSAA Award Winners and Finalists

Winners Indicated in bold

Golden Eagle Awards for Sustainability

Sponsored by TechnoAlpin

Overall Environmental Excellence

• Alta Ski Area, UT

• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO

• Vail Resorts, CO

Community & Partnerships

• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO & Steamboat Ski & Resort, CO

• Brundage Mountain Resort, ID

• Schweitzer, ID

Climate Change Impact

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort, CA

• Jay Peak Resort, VT

• Wisp Resort, MD

Hero of Sustainability

• Yann Benjamin | Big Sky Resort, MT

• Fritz Bratschie | Vail Resorts, CO

• Nate Collins | Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, ID

• Kayla King | Massanutten Resort, VA

Innovation in Sustainability

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort, CA

View past Golden Eagle winners >>>

Sustainable Slopes Grants

In addition to the Golden Eagle Awards, NSAA with partners HKD Snowmakers and PepsiCo, awarded Sustainable Slopes Grants to 9 ski areas. Launched in 2009, and now in its 17th year, this grant program provides cash and in-kind funding to support sustainability projects.

To date, over $1,065,000 in cash and in-kind funding has been awarded to ski areas seeking to reduce their footprint and increase their environmental stewardship.

“We at HKD are excited to announce that this year's winners of the Herman K. Dupré Sustainable Snowmaking Grant are Jackson Hole, WY and Berkshire East, MA. Both resorts continue to emphasize efficient snowmaking practices and have made industry leading investments in renewable wind and solar energy resources,” said Charles Santry, President of HKD Snowmakers. "We appreciate their efforts to reduce their environmental impact. HKD Snowmakers and NSAA are honored to award the Grant to each of them.  

 “Additionally, this year is special for us in that the total value of awards through the Sustainable Slopes Grant Program, including HKD equipment donations for the Herman K. Dupré Sustainable Snowmaking Grant, will exceed $1,000,000! This Grant will have contributed to improving energy efficiency at 29 resorts over the last 17 years.  We are incredibly proud of this milestone and appreciate the opportunity to work with NSAA to honor and support sustainable initiatives in the name of my father-in-law and HKD co-founder, Herman, whose focus on environmental stewardship was truly ahead of its time”.

This year, ski areas could apply for three types of grants: the Cash Grant, which provides cash to fund sustainability projects; the Herman K. Dupré Sustainable Snowmaking Grant, which provides energy efficient snowmaking equipment; and the new Recycling Grant, which provides cash to fund recycling projects sponsored by PepsiCo. NSAA thanks dedicated sponsors HKD Snowmakers and PepsiCo for providing these opportunities for ski areas.

 Cash Grant:

• Aspen Snowmass, CO

• Loon Mountain Resort, NH

• Sun Valley Resort, ID

• Baker Mtn. Ski Tow Club, ME

 HKD Sustainable Snowmaking Grant (sponsored by HKD):

• Berkshire East Ski Resort, MA

• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY

Recycling Grant (sponsored by PepsiCo):

• Eldora Mountain Resort, CO

• Grand Targhee Resort, WY

• Sugar Bowl Resort, CA

Learn more about the Sustainable Slopes grant program >>>

Marketing Awards

Sponsored by Snomax International

Best Overall Campaign (over 500k visits)

• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY

• Ski Utah

• Sun Valley Resort, ID

• Winter Park Resort, CO

Best Overall Campaign (under 500k visits)

• Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, PA

• Sugar Bowl Resort, CA

• Wisp Resort, MD

Best Social Media Campaign

• Aspen Snowmass, CO

• Killington/Pico Resort, VT

• Palisades Tahoe, CA

Best Use of Video

• Boyne Mountain Resort, MI

• Sugar Bowl Resort, CA

• Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, MA

Mountains Are For Everyone

• Copper Mountain Resort, CO

• Ski  Utah

• Ski Big3, Alberta

View past Marketing Award winners >>>

The National Ski Areas Association is a non-profit trade association serving the interests of ski/snowboard area owners and operators in the United States. NSAA's mission is to support its members in their pursuit to operate thriving and sustainable businesses while delivering exceptional experiences.