Celebrating the Spirit of Skiing: Annual Award Presented by the New England Ski Museum

The Spirit of Skiing Award is a prestigious honor bestowed by the New England Ski Museum every fall during its annual meeting. Inspired by Otto Schniebs’ timeless dictum that “skiing is not just a sport, it is a way of life,” this award recognizes individuals or organizations that have profoundly impacted the skiing world and exemplify its enduring spirit.

Honorees of the Spirit of Skiing Award

Since its inception, the Spirit of Skiing Award has celebrated notable figures and groups whose contributions resonate deeply with the ethos of skiing. Past recipients include renowned personalities and organizations such as:

  • Tom Corcoran
  • Stein Eriksen
  • Herbert Schneider
  • SE Group
  • Penny Pitou
  • Georg Capaul
  • E. John B. Allen

Their legacies have shaped the cultural and economic landscape of skiing, highlighting its transformative power.

Reserve Your Tickets for the 2025 Spirit of Skiing Award Ceremony

The Spirit of Skiing Award will be presented on Nov. 22, 2025 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods.

Tickets for the event are $180 per person and can be purchased online or make a reservation by mailing a check to New England Ski Museum, 135 Tramway Dr, Franconia, NH 03580-4403, or pay with a credit card over the phone at (603) 823-7177. Those interested in attending should RSVP by Nov. 7.

All proceeds support the nonprofit New England Ski Museum.

Overnight accommodations are available at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel at a special rate if reserved by Oct. 8, 2025 at (603) 278-8406 or at various locations nearby in Franconia and Twin Mountain.

Gold Sponsor:

McLane Middleton logo

2025 Spirit of Skiing Award: Honoring The Macomber Family and the McLane Family

The McLane and Macomber families, with deep ties to the history of skiing and ski racing in New Hampshire, will be honored on November 22 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel by the New England Ski Museum with the Spirit of Skiing Award.

The late Malcolm McLane and George Macomber were college friends and patriarchs of families who created and founded Wildcat Ski Area in Pinkham Notch and went on to support ski racing across the region in many ways over the years. Their children and grandchildren have gone on to continue the rich tradition and have supported skiing and ski racing in a number of ways and they too will be honored in November.

George Macomber passed away in 2015 at the age of 88 after a distinguished business career, which included participation in and building of the ski industry for decades.  He was named to the U.S. Ski Team for the 1948 and 1952 Olympics, and for the 1950 World Championships at Aspen. Macomber teamed up with McLane, Brooks Dodge and Mack Beal to build Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire in the 1950s. 

Malcolm McLane, who was a mayor of Concord and member of the New Hampshire Executive Council from the 2nd district from 1977 to 1982 died Feb. 2, 2008 at the age of 83.

Born in Manchester he was educated at Dartmouth and Harvard and served in the US Army during World War II spending the last months of it in a German prisoner of war camp after his plane was shot down during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. McLane was a founding member of the NE Ski Museum and its first President. 

2024 Spirit of Skiing Award: Honoring Ralph DesLauriers and the DesLauriers Family

The 2025 Spirit of Skiing Award proudly recognizes Ralph DesLauriers and the DesLauriers Family of Bolton Valley, Vermont, for their remarkable contributions to the world of skiing.

Ralph DesLauriers, alongside his father, laid the foundation for Bolton Valley Resort in the 1960s. The family’s vision and dedication transformed Bolton Valley into a cherished ski destination known for its abundant snowfall and beloved night skiing. Today, Ralph’s children carry forward this legacy by actively managing the resort, ensuring that the spirit of skiing remains vibrant for future generations.

Over the years, the DesLauriers family has introduced countless new skiers and generations of children to the joys of skiing. Their unwavering commitment to community, innovation, and enhancing the skiing experience embodies the true essence of Otto Schniebs’ philosophy. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere and continually improving the resort’s offerings, the DesLauriers Family has enriched the ski culture of Vermont and beyond.