Lakewood, CO – On Tuesday the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) announced the winners of the 2009/10 Marketing and Guest Service Awards. The awards are presented annually to ski resorts nationwide, both large and small, for their successful marketing and guest service programs that ultimately help grow the sports of skiing and snowboarding.nThis year’s categories recognized the Best Overall Marketing Program and the Best Overall Guest Service Program in four resort categories based on resort skier and rider visitation: Up to 100,000 visits; 100,000 to 250,000 visits; 250,000 to 500,000 visits; and 500,000 and more visits. The 2009/10 winning resorts are:

Best Overall Marketing Program

• Up to 100,000 visits (tie): Indianhead Mountain, Mich. & Ragged Mountain, N.H.
• 100,000 – 250,000 skier visits: Jay Peak Resort, Vt.
• 250,000 – 500,000 skier visits: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colo.
• 500,000 or more skier visits: Copper, Colo.

Best Overall Guest Service Program

• Up to 100,000 visits (tie) : MacIntyre Ski Area, N.H.; Thunder Ridge Ski Area, N.Y.
• 100,000 – 250,000 skier visits: Sugar Bowl Resort, Calif.
• 250,000 – 500,000 skier visits: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colo.
• 500,000 or more skier visits: Beaver Creek Resort, Colo.

“This recognition is an honor and a meaningful tribute to the dedication and hard work of our team,” said Ken Stone, chief operating officer of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, one of only three ski resorts to ever win both overall awards in the same year. “The awards validate the effectiveness of our marketing programs and recognize the higher level of guest service we have been striving for. We all have something to be very proud of.”

“The dedication to detail across all departments in terms of delivering exceptional guest service really stood out this year,” added Nick Herrin, director of skier services at Crested Butte. “Each individual employee made this resort a friendlier and more helpful place to visit and to work.”

Judges for this year’s awards were: Christine Donovan, Event Director, BEWI Productions Inc., Mass.; Dan Price, President of Denver-based marketing firm Adrenalin; and Andy Hawk, Marketing Director, PSIA/AASI. Each of the winning programs will be officially recognized at an awards reception May 3rd at NSAA’s National Convention and Tradeshow in Orlando, Fla.