Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows’ Ski Teams clinched seven out of the 11 top honors at the Far West Skiing Awards Ceremony April 21, including accolades for Outstanding Ski Racing Resort, Coach of the Year, Outstanding Junior, Volunteer of the Year, and two Outstanding Senior Awards.

From News Release...

Squaw and Alpine Take Top Honors at Far West Skiing Awards

[Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, Calif.] April 28, 2014 - Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows’ Ski Teams clinched seven out of the 11 top honors at the Far West Skiing Awards Ceremony April 21, including accolades for Outstanding Ski Racing Resort, Coach of the Year, Outstanding Junior, Volunteer of the Year, and two Outstanding Senior Awards.

The Far West Skiing’s annual awards wrap up the competitive ski racing season for 23 teams, clubs and programs across California and Southern Oregon, including Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows. At the event, Squaw and Alpine’s Ski Teams were honored with more than half of the awards, attesting both mountain’s dedication to the ski racing community.

Outstanding Ski Racing Resort- Alpine Meadows
John Black, along with the entire Alpine Meadows team, was honored with the Bill Mackay Award for Outstanding Ski Racing Resort. Alpine Meadows hosted events all year in the Lake Tahoe area, when others were unable. The resort even picked up events at a moment’s notice, providing great flexibility and proving an unwavering support of the ski racing athletes.

Outstanding Coach of the Year – Brad Saxe (Palisades Tahoe)
Palisades Tahoe Ski Team coach, Brad Saxe, received the Dave McCoy Award for Outstanding Coach of the Year. Saxe coaches Palisades Tahoe's most elite men's team, and was recognized for his dedication and superb guidance that helped Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows athletes land on over 100 podiums this past season.

Outstanding Performance by a Junior – Erik Arvidsson (Palisades Tahoe)
Erik Arvidsson is a Palisades Tahoe Ski Team athlete, and new member of the U.S. Ski Team Development Squad. He was named the Jinny Glass Award recipient for outstanding performance by a Junior. For the 2013-14 season, Arvidsson was arguably the most dominant junior athlete in the nation. He was the highest ranked junior from any country to not be on a national team. In addition, Arvidsson qualified to compete against some of the best alpine skiers in the world at the 2014 U.S. Alpine Championships, which took place on his home turf of Palisades Tahoe.

Outstanding Senior – Julia Mancuso and Travis Ganong (Palisades Tahoe)
Palisades Tahoe athletes Julia Mancuso and Travis Ganong, who both represented Team USA in Sochi, were awarded the Jill Kinmont Award, which recognizes outstanding performances from a women’s and men’s senior athlete.  Both Mancuso and Ganong are Palisades Tahoe Ski Team alumni. As a four-time Olympian, Mancuso is the most decorated female Olympic American skier. Ganong competed in his first Olympic Games in Sochi, and has become a rising star in the ski racing community.

Outstanding Official - Mike Ginsberg (Palisades Tahoe)
Palisades Tahoe’s Mike Ginsberg was named the winner of the Stanley Walton Award, which recognizes an outstanding official. Ginsberg was recognized for his conscientious and thorough work, as well as his successful efforts in working with race organizers to ensure smooth and successful events.

Far West Volunteer of the Year Award - The Abbott Family (Squaw and Alpine)
The Abbott Family, who are long-time Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows’ Ski Team supporters, were awarded the Far West Volunteer of the Year Award. The Abbott family continues to donate countless hours the Far West program by fundraising, helping with bibs and promoting Far West Skiing in the community.

For more about Far West Skiing, visit www.fwskiing.us.

For more about Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows, visit www.squaw.com.