PARK CITY, Utah (May 16, 2024) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard is proud to announce the winners of its annual awards program, honoring individuals and organizations that have greatly impacted the world of elite skiing and snowboarding. This year’s list of winners includes those who have shown talent in sports, coaching and more to foster the growth of skiing and snowboarding. 

The highest honor of the evening, the Julius Blegen Award, was given to Walt Evans. The award is presented annually to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard member who contributed his or her outstanding service to the sports of skiing or snowboarding in the United States. Evans has been in the ski industry for more than 50 years, impacting all aspects of the sport. He has a rich history in alpine racing, where he was part of the University of Wyoming’s NCAA championship team. After his racing career, Evans spent time as the national sport director for the U.S. Ski Association and Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, eventually becoming the development director for the U.S. Ski Team. More recently, Evans has made a lasting impact as the Aspen Valley Ski Club program director. He officially took a step back from the industry in 2016. In years past, Bruce Crane, Bob Dart, Thelma Hoessler, Dexter Paine, Chuck Heckert, Spencer Eccles and many others have been recognized with this award. 

Stifel U.S. Cross Country athlete and three-time Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins won the highest athletic award, the Beck International Award, based on outstanding performance in international competition. Diggins took home the FIS overall and distance Crystal Globe for the second time in her storied career. It was her most successful season to date and included setting a record for the winningest World Cup season in U.S. history for a cross country athlete. She also took home the Stifel Cross Country Athlete of the Year award and the Team Athletes Giving Back Award for her work with Share Winter Foundation. 

The 2024 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Coach of the Year award went to Stifel U.S. Cross Country Team coach Kristen Bourne. Bourne, a former professional cross country athlete herself, has helped propel this team to new heights in the 2023-24 season. 

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, under the leadership of Scott McGrew, took home the Club of the Year award due to its program strength across development and coaching.

Other noteworthy recognitions include alpine athlete River Radamus (2024 Buddy Werner Award), Foreste Peterson (2024 Eileen Shiffrin HERoic Development Coach of the Year Award), Jeremy Forster (2024 John J. Clair Jr. Award) and many others who continue to inspire the current and next generation of skiers and snowboarders. Find the full list of winners below. 

DIAMOND AWARD

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Julius Blegen Award: Walt Evans

The Julius Blegen Award is given annually to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard member who contributed his or her outstanding service to the sports of skiing or snowboarding in the United States. It is designed to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution over a sustained period of time on behalf of the vision and mission of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. The award began in 1946 in memory of Julius Blegen, a former treasurer of the NSA from 1937-42 and first president of the Central U.S. Ski & Snowboard, as well as the American Olympic coach in 1932. 

Walt Evans has been in the ski industry for more than 50 years, impacting all aspects of the sport. He has a rich history rooted in alpine racing, where he was part of the University of Wyoming’s NCAA championship team. After his racing career, Evans spent time as the national sport director for the U.S. Ski Association and Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, eventually becoming the development director for the U.S. Ski Team. More recently, Evans has made a lasting impact as the Aspen Valley Ski Club program director. He officially took a step back from the industry in 2016. 

GOLD AWARDS

2024 Beck International Award: Jessie Diggins 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Beck International Award, its highest athletic award, is presented to a competitor based on outstanding performance in international competition during the past season. The Beck award was inaugurated in 1931.

Jessie Diggins, a three-time Olympic medalist, capped off her historic season winning the overall and distance FIS Crystal Globe. She won six World Cups and landed on the podium 12 times throughout the season along with winning the famed Tour de Ski, the cross country ski version of the Tour de France. Her leadership within her team is also highlighted by the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team’s best season in history. 

2024 Westhaven Award: Jill Firstbrook 

The Westhaven Award is a lifetime achievement award, recognizing an outstanding FIS technical delegate for his or her service. The donors of this award are Fraser and Teddy West.

Jill Firstbrook has worked in almost every area of the ski industry, from coaching to program direction. Firstbrook now acts as the alpine program director at Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire where she continues to lead the program with force.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard International Coach of the Year Award: Kristen Bourne

Kristen Bourne is the D Team and World Cup coach for the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. She was a competitive skier herself in college on the D1 circuit. After college, Kristen moved to Oslo, Norway where she continued racing and interning at the Norwegian School of Sports Science. She began coaching with the national team in 2022.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Coach of the Year Award: Colin Delaney

Colin Delaney is the head coach of ski jumping and nordic combined with the New York Ski Education Foundation. His leadership within the program has helped his athletes soar to new heights. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club of the Year Award: Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation - Scott McGrew 

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, under the leadership of Scott McGrew, is the 2024 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club of the Year. SVSEF has consistently produced strong athletes across all disciplines, many moving to the national team and beyond. 

2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Award: Schone Maillet - Winter4Kids 

The award is focused on recognizing a person, group, organization, or program that has contributed significantly and sustainably to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in skiing and snowboarding. 

Winter4Kids, headed up by Schone Maiilet in Vernon, New Jersey, was founded out of a Share Winter initiative with a mission to introduce 100,000 kids to winter activities. The main values of the program include creating a safe space, empathy, embracing individuality and fostering a sense of belonging. 

2024 Development Club of the Year: Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation 

Mt Bachelor Ski Education Foundation’s success across its development programs speaks volumes about the culture, staff and structure of the club. It has programs across alpine, cross country, freeski and snowboard. 

SILVER AWARDS

2024 Paul Bacon Award: PJ Jenick

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Paul Bacon Award is given to an individual or group for the greatest contribution to U. S. Ski & Snowboard in the field of race organization. It was originated by the Bacon family and U. S. Ski & Snowboard Rocky Mountain Division in memory of Paul Bacon, an outstanding contributor in the field of race organizing.

PJ Jenick is the alpine race coordinator with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail. He is a former NCAA racer for Western State College, as well as a USSA Level 4 certified technical delegate and chief of race. He also sits as the Vice President on the Rocky Mountain Ski Race Officials board. 

2024 John J. Clair Jr. Award: Jeremy Forster

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s John J. Clair Jr. Award is given for outstanding service that benefited the U.S. Ski or Snowboard Team. The award was originated by the Long Island Ski Club in memory of John Clair.

Jeremy Forster has worked within the ski industry for more than 20 years with two decades stemming from time at U.S. Ski & Snowboard ranging from event manager to the sport director of snowboard, freeski and freestyle. Forster has a longstanding commitment to the industry and bettering athletes.

2024 Bud & Mary Little Award: Dexter Paine

The Bud and Mary Little Award is presented to an individual who has contributed significantly to U.S. Ski & Snowboard skiing or snowboard interests through a long-term involvement in the FIS or Olympic sports communities, internationally or nationally. Dr. Amos R. “Bud” Little was a noted ski racer, coach and U.S. Ski Team doctor, and he served as an influential leader with the International Ski Federation and U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

As a visionary leader with a deep commitment to skiing and snowboarding and its athletes, Dexter Paine has been involved in governance at both the national and international levels for decades. He served as a member of the FIS Council Executive Committee from 2014-22 and has acted as an ex-officio honorary member from 2022 to the present. He was also Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors (2006-19) and was on U.S. Biathlon’s Board of Directors (2020-24). Paine currently serves as a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board of Directors (2021-present), is on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board (2002-24) and is actively involved in the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic Winter Games bid. 

2024 Buddy Werner Award: River Radamus 

The Wallace “Buddy” Werner Award is given to the outstanding U.S. Ski & Snowboard competitor who demonstrated leadership and good sportsmanship in national or international competition. It is presented in memory of Buddy Werner, an outstanding U.S. alpine racer who was killed in an avalanche after the 1964 Olympics at the height of his ski career.

River Radamus had his career-best World Cup season in 2023-24, securing his first podium, had his best results in super-G and giant slalom and made a surprise comeback in the slalom discipline. Not only is Radamus’ career on the rise but he is also an excellent teammate, regularly supporting and promoting others over himself.

2024 West Family Award: Lucy Conklin 

The West Family Award is given annually to recognize an outstanding dedicated U.S. Ski & Snowboard certified official for the year and/or over numerous years, from the 'grass root' membership – the lowliest gatekeeper on up. The donor of this award is the Fraser and Teddy West family.

Lucy Conklin spent decades of her life working in the ski industry wearing a number of different hats, including as a race administrator with the Far West division for many years. Conklin’s skillset, organization and knowledge of the industry helps the division run effortlessly. 

2024 Russell Wilder Award: Bill Van Gilder

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Russell Wilder Award is given annually to recognize the most outstanding effort in focusing the interests of American youth on the sports of skiing or snowboarding. 

Bill Van Glider has been a technical advisor with U.S. Ski & Snowboard and a technical delegate with FIS for decades. It is Gilder’s dedication to the sport that helps events and athletes succeed. 

2024 Team Athletes Giving Back Award: Jessie Diggins - Share Winter Foundation 

Many U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team athletes donate time, money and their persona to various charitable and nonprofit endeavors. The award includes a $5K grant to the athlete's charitable cause or organization and was born through the generosity of an anonymous Trustee donor. 

Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athlete Jessie Diggins serves on the board of the Share Winter Foundation where she helps kids discover snow sports for the first time. The program enables kids to learn, build confidence and more in the world of skiing and snowboarding.

2024 Eileen Shiffrin HERoic Development Coach of the Year Award: Foreste Peterson 

A former Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete and NCAA All American, Foreste Peterson uses her expertise to elevate the careers of talented women development athletes, many of whom had their first World Cup starts this season. Peterson is well-loved by her athletes and staff and continues to be an inspiration.

U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 

2024 Adaptive Athlete of the Year: Brenna Huckaby 

Paralympic medalist Brenna Huckaby had seven wins and 10 podiums across the 2023-24 season, winning the banked slalom, snowboard cross and overall Crystal Globes. Huckaby is a leader in the Para snowboard world, serving as a mentor and advocate for women in the sport. A mom of two young daughters, she uses her platform to speak openly about parenting, overcoming cancer, mental health and body positivity. 

2024 Stifel Alpine Athlete of the Year: AJ Hurt 

AJ Hurt had a tremendous breakout season on the World Cup tour, consistently shattering her personal bests. She ended the season with two World Cup podiums: a third in slalom and a third in giant slalom. She was key in helping the women’s tech team secure one of their best seasons, winning the Nations Cup in slalom for the second year in a row. 

2024 Stifel Cross Country Athletes of the Year: Jessie Diggins & Gus Schumacher

Jessie Diggins had a career-best and historic season, winning the overall and distance FIS Crystal Globe, the Tour de Ski and capturing 12 podiums. She was a pivotal member of the cross country team, leading the team to their best ever season. 

Gus Schumacher made a splash on the cross country tour this season, consistently finishing in the top 10. Then in front of a home crowd, Schumacher won the Stifel Loppet Cup in Minneapolis, securing his first victory and the first U.S. men’s cross country World Cup win since 1982. 

2024 Stifel Freestyle Athlete of the Year: Olivia Giaccio (moguls) & Winter Vinecki (aerials)

Olivia Giaccio had the season of a lifetime with consistent performances, personal bests and never-before-dones across the board, including attempting and landing the first cork 1080 in women’s competition history. She stepped on the podium nine times and finished third in the moguls, dual moguls and overall season standings. 

Winter Vinecki won three individual World Cups and helped lead the U.S. to a team win in Changchun, China. On top of competing triples consistently, a rarity among women, Vinecki also perfected her doubles technique to make her hard to beat in all aspects of the sport. Vinecki finished the season second overall, only 42 points behind first place. 

2024 Stifel Freeski Athletes of the Year: Rell Harwood & Alex Ferreira 

Rell Harwood landed in the top 10 of every World Cup she entered this season, secured two X Games medals, taking second place in the knuckle huck and third in big air.

Alex Ferreira had a perfect World Cup season, winning all five World Cup events, along with the Dew Tour and X Games. It was the first time for anyone to achieve the feat in freestyle skiing. He rightfully took home both the overall and halfpipe Crystal Globes.

2024 Stifel Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Athlete of the Year: Erik Belshaw 

Erik Belshaw had a strong year on the ski jumping circuit where he placed second overall in the individual HS102 event at the 2024 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships, taking home the silver medal and becoming the first ever American man to reach a ski jumping podium at Junior Worlds.

2024 Snowboard Athlete of the Year: Maddie Mastro 

Maddie Mastro had a dominant comeback season after injury. She podiumed in every World Cup final she competed in and was second overall in the World Cup halfpipe rankings. She also took first at the Dew Tour, her first time back on top of the podium in five years.

U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD COACHES OF THE YEAR

Alpine International Coach of the Year: Ian Garner

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team Men’s Head World Cup Tech Coach Ian Garner has been with the organization for more than 15 years, consistently pushing the athletes to be their best. He capped off the 2024 season aiding River Radamus to his career-best season.

Alpine Development Coach of the Year: Lisa Perricone 

Lisa Perricone, a first-team All-American from the University of Colorado Boulder, has been a coach with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail for over a decade. Her commitment and passion for the sport are evident in the success and drive of the club’s athletes. 

Cross Country International Coach of the Year: Kristen Bourne 

Kristen Bourne, the D Team and World Cup coach on the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team, helped the team to their best season to date. A former cross country skier herself, her expertise shines through, along with her enthusiasm and passion for the sport. 

Cross Country Development Coach of the Year: Adam St. Pierre

Adam St. Pierre helped the Montana State University cross country team achieve new heights. The bobcats achieved multiple second team All-America honors at the NCAA Championships as well as placing fifth overall for the team. One of the cross country athletes on the team also won the RMISA MVP for women’s nordic skiing. 

Freestyle International Coach of the Year: Stanislav Kravchuk 

Stanislav Kravchuk helped the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials team soar to new heights and wins this past season, seeing eight podiums from five athletes.

Freestyle Development Coach of the Year: Laurie Mooney 

Laurie is the director of Winter Park’s Freestyle & Freeski Team. She is currently the development coach for the freestyle team, helping to build the next generation of moguls athletes. 

Freeski International Coach of the Year: Matt Voss

Matt Voss, the athletic development manager at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, works closely with the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team on strength and conditioning. And the conditioning is working, with the team collecting three Crystal Globes from Alex Ferreira, Mac Forehand and Alex Hall, as well as the Nations Cup this season. 

Freeski Development Coach of the Year: Brian McCarthy

Brian McCarthy, the freeski program director for Wy’East Mountain Academy in Oregon, works with the athletes and staff, regularly moving kids up to Project Gold and national team-level camps and projects. 

Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Development Coach of the Year: Colin Delaney

The head ski jumping/nordic combined coach with the New York Ski Education Foundation, Colin Delaney is known to bring his club’s participants from development to national team status. 

Snowboard International Coach of the Year: Danny Kass

Danny Kass, an Olympic halfpipe silver medalist himself, has been a big source of expertise for the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team this season. Kass led the 2023-24 halfpipe team to five World Cup podiums and did so while fostering a positive team environment, known for being the go-to DJ at the top of the pipe.

Snowboard Development Coach of the Year: Chris Laske 

Chris Laske is currently the freeski and snowboard director with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail. He is a crucial part of the club’s development pipeline, helping his athletes reach new heights in their development. 
 

U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD SPORT CLUBS OF THE YEAR

Alpine Club of the Year & Snowboard Club of the Year: Ski & Snowboard Club Vail

Under the direction of John Hale, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail is recognized as both the alpine and snowboard club of the year. The program consistently produces strong athletes that feed into the national team pipeline and the NCAA circuits. It is clear that their development programs thrive with the club’s alpine skiers claiming multiple podiums at the recent SYNC Series U16 Juinor Championships qualifiers as well as the club’s snowboarders claiming multiple top-10 finishes at the FIS Junior World Championship big air competitions. This is the fifth time the club has won the alpine award and the second time it has won the snowboard award.

Cross Country Club of the Year: The Loppet Foundation

The Loppet Foundation works hard to connect people to the outdoors and grow experiences in various sports, including cross country. The Loppet Foundation was integral in the success of the Stifel Loppet Cup this past season. 

Freestyle Club of the Year: Northstar Freestyle Team

Under the leadership of Nat Schirman, Northstar at Tahoe has found a strong system in the development of its freestyle athletes through strong staff, terrain and more.

Freeski Club of the Year: Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club

Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club has seen strength amongst its coaches and development strategies under Erik Knight, with shining athletes such as Olympic medalist Alex Ferreira and world champion Hanna Faulhaber emerge from the program.

Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Club of the Year: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Program Director Todd Wilson consistently produce strong ski jumping and nordic combined athletes, utilizing its renowned venues to produce national team athletes. Seven national team athletes on the U.S. Ski Jumping Team and U.S. Nordic Combined Team hail from the program. 

 (April 25, 2024 – Park City - Utah /St. Louis, Missouri) Stifel Financial Corp., the title sponsor of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, is thrilled to announce the recipients of the Stifel Awards for the 2023-24 season. As the season officially wraps for the athletes, Stifel has contributed $36,000 to the team across nine distinct award categories spanning alpine, cross country, freestyle and freeski disciplines. Winners were nominated and elected by their teammates and staff.

“At Stifel, we strive to be the place where success meets success, and nobody embodies that more than all of the athletes that make up the Stifel U.S. Ski Team,” said Ron Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel. “This year, we expanded the scope of the Stifel Awards to encompass all ski teams under the U.S. Ski & Snowboard umbrella, allowing athletes and staff alike to recognize outstanding contributions. We take pride in providing a platform to celebrate not only victories but also the resilience and dedication displayed by these athletes."

“The winners of each category are more than deserving for what they accomplished this season, whether it was a comeback, success story or just being an invaluable member of the team. This season was historic in many ways and it’s great to see the support from Stifel to honor these incredible athletes and staff,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport Anouk Patty.

Demonstrating their dedication to the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, the Stifel Awards underscore Stifel's commitment to supporting athletes both on and off the slopes. The following athletes and staff have been recognized as the winners of the awards within each respective team:

STIFEL U.S. ALPINE SKI TEAM AWARD WINNERS

• Athlete of the Year: AJ Hurt, River Radamus
• Rookie of the Year: Elisabeth Bocock, Stanley Buzek
• Most Improved: Lauren Macuga, Ryder Sarchett 
• Best Comeback: Jackie Wiles, Wiley Maple
• Staff Member of the Year: Ian Garner 

STIFEL U.S. CROSS COUNTRY SKI TEAM AWARD WINNERS

• Athlete of the Year: Jessie Diggins, Gus Schumacher
• Rookie of the Year: Sammy Smith/Haley Brewster (tie), John Steel Hagenbuch
• Most Improved: Sophia Laukli, Zanden McMullen
• Best Comeback: Rosie Brennan, Gus Schumacher
• Staff Member of the Year: Kristen Bourne

STIFEL U.S. FREESKI TEAM AWARD WINNERS

• Athlete of the Year: Alex Ferreira, Rell Harwood
• Rookie of the Year: Henry Townshend, Kate Gray
• Most Improved: Colby Stevenson, Rell Harwood
• Best Comeback: Hunter Hess, Riley Jacobs
• Staff Member of the Year: Matt Voss

STIFEL U.S. FREESTYLE SKI TEAM AWARD WINNERS (moguls, aerials)

• Athlete of the Year: Olivia Giaccio, Winter Vinecki
• Rookie of the Year: Kasey Hogg, Connor Curran
• Most Improved: Asher Michael, Karenna Elliott
• Best Comeback: Tess Johnson, Tasia Tanner
• Staff Member of the Year: Bryon Wilson, Stanislav Kravchuk

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Stifel U.S. Ski Team (@usskiteam)

 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the governing body for skiing and snowboarding in the United States, has officially wrapped one of its most successful seasons in history. Throughout the organization’s 10 sports, U.S. Ski & Snowboard brought home four Nations Cups, 13 individual FIS Crystal Globes, 14 Youth Olympic Games medals, 14 Junior World Championships medals, and had two teams, cross country and freeski, end their year with their most successful seasons in history. Alongside the athletic success, the organization hosted 11 domestic World Cups and is celebrating the launch of initiatives and new partners that are reshaping the organization and celebrating a successful revenue year. 

Breaking Down the Numbers: a Historic 2023-24 Season

Four U.S. teams brought home the coveted Nations Cup this season, awarded to a nation that tallied up the most World Cup points throughout the season: the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team in both moguls and aerials, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team park & pipe team and the U.S. Para Snowboard Team. The women’s moguls team is the best in the world for a reason, with six of the world's top 10 spots held by U.S. women. 

The FIS Crystal Globe is awarded to the most successful World Cup athletes in their respective sports. The Globe is given on both a discipline and an overall basis and this season, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams brought home 13 globes. The FIS overall Crystal Globe, seen by many athletes as more prestigious than an Olympic medal, was won by four U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes, including freeskier Alex Ferreira, cross country skier Jessie Diggins and Para snowboarders Brenna Huckaby and Noah Elliott. 

On the freeski side, two-time Olympic medalist Ferreira won every halfpipe contest he competed in, a feat never seen before in freestyle skiing. He also secured the overall Crystal Globe for freeski park & pipe with his perfect season and the discipline Globe in halfpipe, with his teammates Mac Forehand and Alex Hall winning the slopestyle and big air Globes, respectively. Ferreira also won the X Games and Dew Tour halfpipe, bringing his total 2023-24 season victories to seven out of seven.

Three-time Olympic medalist Diggins took home the overall Crystal Globe for the second time in her storied career after her most successful season to date, which included setting a record for the best season in U.S. history for a cross country athlete, winning the overall Tour de Ski and bringing home six victories and 12 podiums. She also secured the distance discipline Globe. 

Two-time Paralympic medalist Elliott of the U.S. Para Snowboard Team closed out a phenomenal season, where he found the podium seven out of eight times and added six World Cup wins to his resume to secure the overall and banked slalom Globes. Teammate Brenna Huckaby, who won the first-ever gold medal in the banked slalom discipline at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, added yet another overall Globe to her resume, along with two discipline Globes. Peggy Martin also secured the Globe for banked slalom.

Despite an injury sidelining Mikaela Shiffrin for six weeks, the most dominant alpine skier of all time still took home the title of best slalom skier of the year—her eighth slalom Globe in her exceptional career. 

2023-24 Season Globes  

• Noah Elliott - Para Snowboard Overall
• Noah Elliott - Para Snowboard Banked Slalom
• Jessie Diggins - Cross Country Overall
• Jessie Diggins - Cross Country Distance
• Alex Ferreira - Freeski Park & Pipe Overall
• Alex Ferreira - Freeski Halfpipe 
• Mac Forehand - Freeski Slopestyle 
• Alex Hall - Freeski Big Air
• Brenna Huckaby - Para Snowboard Overall
• Brenna Huckaby - Para Snowboard Cross 
• Brenna Huckaby - Para Snowboard Banked Slalom
• Peggy Martin - Para Snowboard Banked Slalom
• Mikaela Shiffrin - Alpine Slalom 

The junior skiers and snowboarders also shined, showcasing the dominant pipeline making its way to the top. U.S. Ski & Snowboard secured 14 medals in skiing and snowboarding at the Youth Olympic Games, including three golds, marking a significant improvement over previous years. Notably, the team clinched its first-ever ski jumping, ski cross and mixed team dual moguls medals. The U.S. also won an additional 14 medals at the Junior World Championships and U23 Junior World Championships, including the first-ever cross country sprint and men’s ski jumping medals. 

“The success of this season is a true testament to the hard work and dedication from not only the athletes but the team behind the team,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport. “It takes everyone to find this level of excellence and I am confident that next season we will see even more. As we take the time to reflect on these past several months, I am so proud of what our team has accomplished and know that in many areas, we’re just getting started.”

Success Off the Snow

Off the snow, the success of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s foundation and partnerships team has been equally as impressive during the 2023-24 season. Revenue growth surpassed expectations, reaching record level for the organization.

This season, U.S. Ski & Snowboard welcomed more key partners to the team. New partners included United Airlines, iFit, Hedlum Brewing, Knockaround and NakedCashmere. Existing partners like Stifel, Hydro Flask and Textron Aviation expanded their partnerships in a variety of ways, including sponsoring World Cup events and fundraisers, supporting more teams and partnering with individual athletes, with Stifel and Hydro Flask becoming the title sponsors of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team.

“Working with prominent brands like Stifel, Hydro Flask, Toyota, United Airlines, iFit, Kappa and more solidifies our commitment to excellence,” said Trisha Worthington, Chief Revenue and Philanthropy Officer at U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “This season, we dove deeper into what we can do with these partners by working together on marketing initiatives and enhancing what a partnership can look like.” 

This season, U.S. Ski & Snowboard introduced Easy Green, the organization’s new climate initiative. Named after an “easy green” trail at a resort, the concept embodies the idea that making sustainable choices should be easy. It included partnerships with leaders in the climate advocacy space, including Protect Our Winters, the National Ski Areas Association’s Sustainable Slopes, Keep Tahoe Blue and more. The HERoic initiative, focused on promoting women athletes and coaches, also continued. HERoic panels were held around the country at domestic World Cup events, featuring women trailblazers across various fields of sport and industry. 

With the season wrapping up, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes will take well-deserved breaks but the 2024-25 season is just around the corner, with more records to break and history to be made. 

“Success does not happen overnight,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “What U.S. Ski & Snowboard has accomplished this season came from years of hard work, both on and off the snow. I am proud to lead an organization that cares deeply about the athletes that represent our teams and know that coming off a season like this, the momentum is palpable and we are ready to get back to it and continue making history.”