Michael Neumann, Aspen/Snowmass
Every year, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) recognizes the top achievers in the Colorado ski industry through the Snowmaker, Groomer, and Terrain Master of the Year awards. Below is a list of this years winners.
Snowmaker of the Year
Ian Naudain Eldora Mountain Resort
Ian has worked four seasons making snow for Eldora Mountain Resort. He quickly learned the business and thanks to a great attitude, strong work ethic, and exceptional leadership qualities he rose to become a supervisor in just his second season, said Chris Cipolletti, Snow Surfaces Manager at Eldora.No matter how tough the weather or how difficult situations are, Ian always meets and exceeds expectations and keeps a level head.He is a valuable employee who continues to dive into as many aspects of the mountains operations as he can.
Groomer of the Year
Napoleon Swyter Keystone Resort
A ten-year veteran of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Napoleon started as a full time cat operator at Keystone, where he was voted as the rookie of the year.Napoleon also has grooming experience at Coronet Peak in New Zealand. In 2013 Napoleon brought his experience and enthusiasm back to Keystone and is working like he never left, said Pete Van Oosterhout, Trail Maintenance Supervisor for Keystone.
Terrain Master of the Year Day Crew
Kelly “Parker” Glass Aspen/Snowmass
Kelly graduated from his studies in 2001 and served in the US Army from 2001 to 2005 as a Cannoneer in Bamberg, Germany. He joined the Snowmass Park crew in 2011 and loves to be on the mountain. Kelly strives to be an inspiration for other park crew members, and loves to make a difference, said Yannick Rioux, Terrain Park Manager at Snowmass. After three years of working on the day crew, fellow colleagues and supervisors have noticed his leadership among new staff and his growing passion and knowledge for the industry.
Terrain Master of the Year- Night Crew
Chris Meyer Telluride Ski Resort
Chris started as a Terrain Park Groomer with Telluride Ski Resort in 2005. He quickly demonstrated a level of skill, work ethic, and commitment to his position that allowed him to advance to Grooming Supervisor. Though Meyer was able to grow and enhance his skills as a Grooming Supervisor, his commitment, leadership, and creativity proved him to be more suitable for a Terrain Park Management position. Because of Chriss efforts as Terrain Park Manager, Telluride Terrain Parks have seen massive improvements in the areas of feature quantity, layout, creativity, and progression and have a beginner/intermediate park setup that has doubled in size over the course of just one year, said John Kelly, Director of Resort Services at Telluride.
