Courtesy / Marc Piscotty and Colorado Ski Country USA
Wrapping up Colorado’s 2018-19 ski season, Colorado Ski Country USA hosted its 56th Annual Meeting and the annual Double Diamond Award Ceremony to celebrate excellence in the Colorado ski industry. Among the honorees were athletes, on-mountain professionals and industry veterans whose hard work and expertise are critical to the success of the Colorado ski industry.
Colorado’s ski industry leaders gathered at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek to recognize and celebrate ski area employees for their outstanding performance and dedication including food and beverage professionals, guest service professionals, ski instructors, ski patrollers, groomers, terrain masters, snowmakers and a winter athlete of the year. Two additional awards were given to long-time industry professionals for the president’s and board chair’s awards.
Donald Nieters, of Winter Park Resort, was named ski instructor of the year.
As a ski instructor and trainer, Nieters’s technical knowledge, empathy, passion, professionalism and dedication to lifelong learning have spurred him to the top of Winter Park Resort’s Ski and Snowboard School.
His vision for the revamping of the 3- to 4-year-old lesson structure has been a huge success for Winter Park Resort. In addition, Nieters volunteers his time to teach fellow veterans to ski through the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
“Aside from being extremely passionate, he is a consistent model for others in how he conducts himself both in and out of lessons,” Training Manager Jacob Levy said.