The nominations were submitted, and the votes were cast by snow sports industry professionals, and the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame has released the names of the Class of 2023, an inspiring group of snow sports enthusiasts representing a range of people from Colorado and from the industry.
“Every class of inductees is different, and this year we celebrate individuals who have dedicated their lives to educating, inspiring and preserving snow sports in Colorado. This class truly represents what the Colorado Snowsports Museum is all about,” said Jennifer Mason, executive director of the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame. “We’re proud of the Class of 2023; each person represents a unique area of Colorado and illustrates the fact that Colorado as a whole leads the way in snow sports.”
Hall of Fame candidates are nominated under the established criteria of Athlete, Sport Builder, Inspirational, or Pioneer categories, with the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee evaluating and confirming the nominees to move on to the final ballot.
The 140-member Hall of Fame Voting Panel comprises Hall of Fame members, key snow sports industry representatives, snow sports resorts and the Hall’s board of directors.
The 2023 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Class includes:
- Cheryl Jensen – Inspirational – Cheryl Jensen’s contribution to the snow sports community has been lifesaving. She founded The Vail Veterans Program which introduces disabled U.S. veterans to alpine sports independently and with loved ones. By keeping the veterans active from the beginning of their recovery, their mental and physical health improves, giving them hope and confidence. Many veterans who have experienced Jensen’s generosity and kindness have made Colorado their home, becoming leaders in their communities and champions in paralympic sports and life.
- Hilaree Nelson – Athlete|Inspirational – Hilaree Nelson was among the most accomplished ski mountaineers and alpinist on the planet. She is known for her “firsts” such as summiting and skiing 8,000-meter peaks around the world, notably becoming the first woman to summit two 8,000-meter peaks (Everest and Lhotse) in a 24-hour period. Additionally, Nelson leveraged her platform to bring attention to pertinent issues such as climate change and to empower young girls and women. She subconsciously and consciously opened doors and changed the rules of equity and access for the next generation.
- John Norton – Sport Builder – During John Norton’s career in Crested Butte and Aspen, he made the Colorado ski resorts and communities better. His contributions to marketing programs, special events, community alliance-building, and the guest experience encouraged other resort leaders to seek out other opportunities and programs to keep pace. Among his many accomplishments are pioneering non-stop airline programs, founding the adaptive program at Crested Butte, introducing “ski-free” programs to attract new customers, and convincing the Aspen Ski Corporation to lift the snowboard ban to develop a four-mountain experience to accommodate all demographics, abilities, and lifestyles.
- Sandy Hildner – Sport Builder – Diverse trailblazer extraordinaire, Sandy Hildner trained with the University of Colorado Men’s Ski Team before there was a women’s ski team. Inspiring women athletes, she won National Championships, the Roch Cup in 1967, and raced Olympic downhill in 1968. Hildner innovated Lange boots and was one of only two women in the ski hardgoods industry in the 1960s. She was first female coach of the Winter Park Ski Team, embedding world-class skiing techniques and the mental preparation necessary to excel at the highest levels. Hildner led Copper Mountain’s Over the Hill Gang for 20 seasons and was instrumental in offering women’s clinics.
- Seth Masia – Inspirational – Few Colorado-based ski writers are respected as widely as Seth Masia. He was a key editor and writer for SKI Magazine at the peak of its influence and pioneered online ski journalism. His tenure with SKI Magazine, his presidency of the International Skiing History Association, along with numerous books, articles and skiing-related internet accomplishments are notable. His leadership has been built on the work of his predecessors to create an unparalleled record of snow sports history.
The annual induction ceremony will take place on Aug. 27, at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, Colo. Tickets start at just $50 for adults, with all proceeds going to support the Colorado Snowsports Museum, a non-profit organization, and the State of Colorado’s official snow sports museum. Tickets will be available soon.
Learn more and consider supporting the Museum by becoming a member www.snowsportsmuseum.org.
