It was a season not to forget and I wish we could have recognized each and every one of you this season at the end of the season MLC party. So without further ado …
Jenn Wass – Alpine Instructor of the Year
The Alpine Instructor of the Year is awarded to a veteran alpine instructor – someone who’s taught for one or more seasons. Jenn is certainly not new to teaching snowsports, but was new to Mt. Hood Meadows this season, however you’d never know it. Her style, commitment, and stoke level was overflowing this season and it seemed like she’s been here multiple seasons. Always available to teach, helping out in every way possible, we’re stoked to have her join the wall of fame as the 2019-20 Alpine Instructor of the Year!
Runner up: Keely Brownback
Val Stepanchuk – Snowboard Instructor of the Year
The Snowboard Instructor of the Year award is presented to an individual that facilitated incredible experiences for snowboarders of all ability levels in a wide variety of class settings. Val Stepanchuk joined the Meadows team in the Fall, returning to the Snowsports Instruction world after several years of conquering the wind and waves in warmer climates. Returning to the frozen stuff, Val quickly made a positive impression on his co-workers as well as the students he taught, who regularly returned from their lessons absolutely energized. No matter the class or conditions Val continually found ways to make his classes fun and challenging. Val was a huge help with the Chill Program as well as Toyota Nights and received his Snowboard Level 1 Certification later in the season. In one of the most memorable moments of the season, Val shredded Buttercup with Danny Fashana, whose binding had broken, hanging from his back. This storied perfectly captures Val’s willingness to do whatever is necessary to help those around him make their way safely down the mountain.
Runner up: John Hackney
Sean Tormey – Adaptive Instructor of the Year
The first-ever Adaptive Instructor of the Year Award is presented to Sean Tormey. Sean contributed to the adaptive program this winter by teaching adaptive alpine, adaptive snowboard, and leading many sit-ski lessons. Sean’s versatility as adaptive instructor and trainer was invaluable to the program this season. Sean always went out of his way to share his knowledge with both experienced and new instructors. In addition to teaching lessons, Sean was a critical team member through his role in maintaining and purchasing adaptive equipment. Sean’s dedication, knowledge, and passion for adaptive snowsports is so appreciated by those around him, particularly his students. Thank you for all of your hard work, Sean!
Runner up: Eric Sletmoe
Kristin Lago – Kids Instructor of the Year
The Kids Instructor of the Year is awarded to an instructor whose teaching has influenced kids of all ages and in various MLC lesson programs. So many kids were lucky to have Kristin as their instructor this season (and previous seasons). From the CLC to mid-week education to SnoBlasters – those kids were stoked. When she is with her students she is 100% engaged and encouraging those kids to be safe, have fun and learn. Her style of teaching is so awesome. Kids and parents alike both love Kristin as she’s creating life long skiers. When the kids cry because they don’t want to go, you know it was an amazing day with Kristin! Luckily for her, **most** of the kids in her lessons were not taller than her!
Runner up: Adam Corazzi
Lucy Swafield – Best Supporting Role
The Best Supporting Role Instructor of the Year award goes to Lucy Swaffield. Lucy excelled as a Lead for both the Adaptive and Snoblasters Programs. Every Saturday and Sunday Lucy supported the Snowblaster program with stellar organization and people skills. Lucy also helped lead the adaptive program through scheduling, teaching lessons, and training other instructors on teaching individuals who have cognitive and vision-related conditions. Lucy is always a fantastic problem solver and willing to take on any task to support her programs. She was pivotal in providing NWABA and Washington School for the Blind with access to the snowsports experience. Her contributions to the Adaptive and Snoblasters programs and continual support of her fellow instructors absolutely helped these programs run smoothly. Congrats Lucy, you’ve earned it!
Runner up: Claire Thomford-Garner
Kent Nelson – Part Time Instructor of the Year
The Part Time Instructor of the Year is awarded to a veteran part-time instructor who exemplifies being a great instructor and team member. Affectionately known as “Coach K” – Kent’s enthusiasm, stoke and overall commitment to everyone having a great time at Mt. Hood Meadows has been recognized for years. Kent joined the MLC department (coming from the Guest Host team), a few seasons ago and it’s been no turning back, full tilt instructor! Kent is always here early and ready to pitch in where ever from greeting, to hauling equipment to creating “the best day ever” for his students and team. A day in the SnoBlaster room would be incomplete without Kent’s booming voice and enthusiasm. Despite having another job and life outside our mountain home, Kent seems to be here all the time, working both Saturday and Sunday all season long!
Runner up: Thomas Wong
Jamie Finnan – Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year award is presented to an individual that has demonstrated an amazing aptitude to teaching snowsports in their first year as an instructor. Jamie Finnan joined the team in the Fall and had attended the first session of new instructor training which was all indoors in Vertical where new instructors did an all “dry land” training complete with equipment on! Welcome to teaching snow sports! In the mornings, he was one of the first out the door with a drill to help with setup. He had almost 300 teaching hours and non-teaching hours this season – which means he was here a lot! Jamie taught more than 40 first time / novice kids lessons and always has a smile and good vibe attitude each and every day! He received his Alpine Level I certification and hopefully you attended one of his yoga sessions. We are looking forward to having Jamie back again, too as it sounds like he’ll be with us again next season! The Runner up for this award was Marissa Ng.
Mark Fischer – Alpine Trainer of the Year
The Alpine Trainer of the Year Award goes to Mark Fischer! Mark was heavily involved in alpine training this season, from leading new hire, rehire, and countless certification and skills clinics. Mark always demonstrates effective teaching skills while creating enjoyable learning environments. Not only did he consistently lead alpine clinics, Mark also administered two Level 1 Alpine exams this season. He has been an invaluable resource to up-and-coming alpine instructors and his fellow trainers. Mark continued his own professional development by attending Tech Series events this season. We are so thankful for your contributions to the alpine training team, Mark!
Runner up: Aiden Moree-Sanders
Kaitlin Brotemarkle – Snowboard Trainer of the Year
The Snowboard Trainer of the Year award is presented to Kaitlin Brotemarkle. Kaitlin has been teaching at Meadows for the last 14 seasons and really stepped up this season to train her fellow snowboard staff. Kaitlin is a versatile snowboard trainer; she led new hire training groups, crossover clinics, and level 1 clinics (among many others). Katilin was always willing to lead clinics, even those that pushed her out of her comfort zone, to improve her own teaching and technical skills. She is a thoughtful and knowledgeable trainer who always makes a point to be available to other instructors. She also prioritized her own professional development by attending Tech Series events and organizing clinics for her fellow snowboard trainers outside of Meadows. Kaitlin’s positive attitude and dedication was essential to the snowboard training team this season, congrats!
Runner up: Alex Pugliese
Jesse Cook – Guest Choice Award
The Guest Choice Instructor of the Year award is presented to an individual that has been recognized by our guests as someone who provides a consistently awesome lesson experience and is an amazing ambassador for the MLC. Jesse returned to Meadows last season and never missed an opportunity to enrich lives, and the positive comment cards and tips just kept coming in! Jesse worked his tail off for the MLC team, pulling huge hours coaching and as a setup and breakdown lead, and he always brought his unique Alpine style and buckets-full of stoke. Thanks to Jesse for being an exceptional team member and congratulations for being recognized as the best by our guests!
Runner up: Oriol Sole-Costa
Claire Thomford-Garner – Co-worker of the Year
The Co-Worker of the Year award is both nominated and voted on each season by the instructor team members. “Claire is a giver. A problem solver.” Claire is, “A super-positive individual that makes everyone’s day seem that much better. She’s always checking in with you to make sure you have everything you need and helps out to make your day that much better.” Claire’s enthusiasm and stoke was unshakable every day both in and outside of the CLC. As voted by your peers, the 2019-20 Co-Worker of the Year is Claire “Long Name” Thomforde-Garner!
Runner up: Marissa Ng