Pacific Northwest Division - PNW

08/21/2026

Great article in ski racing - Doug Lewis. DH racing and ultra running. They are more alike than you'd think.

Doug Lewis at the Kitzbühel Streif start during the KAT100 by UTMB Forty years after racing down the legendary Streif, I returned to Kitzbühel and ran back up it as a participant in one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons. At mile 58 of Austria’s

08/12/2026

Summer Ski Camp is a great way to hone skills for the upcoming season. But what if it's more than physical skills that are being prepped? Here is a great blog on what Summer Ski Camp meant to one 9 year old girl. Hope you enjoy.

More than summer ski training. Discover the lessons, friendships, and memories that make Mt. Hood camps uniquely unforgettable.

07/02/2026

Today we celebrate our PNW Unsung Hero's. You know the folks - the ones in your club who are always doing work behind the scenes. Not looking for recognition - just getting the job done. Our clubs could not do what they do without these folks. Thank you for everything.

Chris von Melville & Adam VanZutphen, S**C; Darren Ireland, MRST; Alex Mak, Christa Kleiner, Dalin Kors, Emily Martinson, Guillaume Bouffard, Hayley Doyle, Jamie McKee, Josh Farris, Justin Stenwick, Karin Moughamer, Laura Hart, Matt Jakubek, Megan McCarry, Michael Kudriavtseff; Nasko Oskov, Patricia Forman, Richard Marius, Sarah Bigham, Sean Graham, Tina Hixson, Lorna Harrington, & Mike Frazzini, CMAC; Eric Bonura, MRT; Todd Swanson-Merkens, MVNSEF; Adam Tuff, Momentum NW; Angie Stay, PVNT; Kate Sundquist, Kelly Wright, John Garren, Amy Tarnow, & Andrea Shockey, MBSEFChris Von Melville– Juggled full-time coaching, watching his daughter at FIS races, and volunteering at every race he physically could, while keeping a positive attitude and kind demeanor to every event.

Adam VanZutphen -Every race he attends with his 2 boys he volunteers and works on race doing course maintenance. He is constantly slipping, shoveling, or raking out the courses. I saw him volunteer at both races I attended this year. NW cup 1 and NW cup finals at Crystal. He also volunteers every weekend with our club helping with set-up, tear down of courses, and slipping throughout the day during training.

Darren Ireland has really jumped in this past year with his involvement in our timing crew. MRST recently purchased a Micro Gate Wireless timing system. No one knew much about it so Darren became the go to guy learning the system inside and out. While we did not use it for any sanctioned races he helped us with timing training at all our levels, and also with our Thursday Night Drags Dual citizen racing. He learned how to use the Split second interface and we did use the system for a non sanctioned race. All went with out a hitch.

Darren has helped to train up the rest of our timing crew and at this point they are all confident with the use of the system. His company donated a second transponder so we could complete our equipment with the ability to get primary and back up times as well as run duals.

Darren will spearhead our efforts to become USSS approved to run sanctioned events this coming season.

As with any new system it takes someone to dive in deep and really figure it out so as to be able to a solid job in utilization. Thanks to Darren we are ready for the next steps in our timing adventure!

Eric Bonura – Eric stepped up as the MRT volunteer coordinator – he gave tons of time and did great. Michael Farrell – MRT President – he helped our club navigate some difficult issues with Oregon liability laws.

Todd Swanson-Merkens, Methow Valley Nordic – he stepped up and helped with timing at all PNW events this year integrating a new system (Zone 4) for all clubs and working with their OCs to make it happen. This included a solo drive to and from Bend when his daughters weren’t even racing that weekend!

Josh Farris (Chief of race at Crystal) Josh stepped in to COR role at two quickly pulled together NW Cup races and did a great job.

07/01/2026

Northwest Skier Award
Outstanding Junior both on and off the slopes.

Braiden Snyder: Braiden was a second year FIS athlete this year. He competed in Canada and across the Western Region. He loves speed but as we know the snow challenges of this season limited those opportunities. Even with that disappointment, his attitude and work ethic stayed strong. He finished in the top of the NW Cup standings again this season. He is a dedicated ski racer but more than that he is an outstanding young man. He is always willing to help with training set up/tear down, supports his fellow competitors both on, and outside of, our team, and is a positive light in all situations. He is independent but also a great team player.

Braiden has attended the American Downhiller camp at Mammoth and in Saas Fee for several years. He is well liked by the coaches and has been asked to work with them this spring as a Mentor for the two weeks of Mammoth Speed camp that has the younger athletes attending. This is a cool accolade for him as it rewards his hard work as an athlete at camp, but also highlights his strong personality, compassion, and leadership.

Outside of skiing he is involved with 4-H and shows Pigs at the Grant County Fair each summer. Each year Braiden is part of the George 4th of July parade walking with the Float representing his 4-H Club. Through that event he met Senator Judy Warnick. She invited him to be a Page for her on the Senate floor in 2024. This is quite an honor as it is a select few that are invited to apply, and then be selected. His 4-H Club also spearheads the clean up of the fairgrounds prior to the event which is a huge task. Braiden is the president of his 4H Club.

Braiden is in an on line school program so he can ski/train daily through the winter months. He does well with his studies and manages to balance life, school, training and racing very well. He is a consistently named to the PNW Honor Roll and currently maintains a 4.0 grade pt. average.

06/29/2026

Great time celebrating Carson Ruud’s marriage to Abi Reed with these PNW coaches. Wish we would have thought to get Sue Johnson, former PNW president and executive director in this photo. Congratulations Carson and Abi!

06/26/2026

Today we are celebrating the recipient of this years PNW Schwabe Award.

This goes to the outstanding Alpine competitor during the season.

Recipient: Canyon Osborn - Crystal Mountain Alpine Club - CMAC

"Top 5 result at U16 Nationals. Canyon is a fierce competitor, however, her sportsmanship sets her apart. I have had the chance to be on trips with Canyon and she seeks out coaching, treats all coaches and her teammates with the utmost respect. This is what makes her the outstanding alpine competitor and on top of it she is fast as hell!"

Canyon has won the Northwest Cup series the past two seasons, and competed in NPS Burke U16 Project & U16 Nationals 2 years in a row. Got to love when these nominations come from a coach outside of the athlete's club - that really shows the impact that Canyon is having on others across the division. Congratulations and best wishes for the future.

06/18/2026

Let's celebrate our Nordic side.

Olav Ulland Award
Outstanding Nordic Competitor during the past year.

Quinten Koch – U20 National Champion this past year among other highlights. Quinten has been one of the top Nordic racers in the country in his age group the past two seasons. He has had the opportunity to race in Europe as well as across the US. Quinten will be attending Dartmouth this coming fall and racing on their Nordic team. He has aspirations to race at the World Cup and Olympic level. Quinten grew up in the deserts of Arizona and it wasn't until the age of 7 that he saw snow. At a young age he thought he wanted to be a tennis pro. We are so happy you moved to Washington and found a new dream!

06/17/2026

Today we are celebrating another of our PNW Division award winners for the 25-26 season. This one goes to someone almost everyone on the Alpine side of the division knows.

Ken Comfort Award
Presented annually to a person who over the years has given freely of his/her time to help the sport of skiing, either recreational or competitively. In this small way their efforts are recognized. “For outstanding service to the PNSA and the Sport of Skiing.”

Rob Cravens – some need a description of why and others do not. Rob does not – he gives to make the sport better!

Rob is constantly working to make our sport better and safer for athletes – he is always around MBSEF and Mt Bachelor fixing b-netting, delegating races, and helping the athletes and staff day in and day out.

Rob has spearheaded the PNW Division B-net program for many years. And he is also the chairman of the PNW Nomination Committee. Thanks for all your work for PNW Rob.

06/11/2026

Let's celebrate more PNW Division Award Winners.

John Genoud Award: Presented annually to the individual contributing notably of their servicer as a race official

Malcolm Ash has been a dedicated and valued official within the Pacific Northwest Division for many years, serving consistently and generously in support of alpine racing and the athletes it serves. As Chair of the TD Working Group, Malcolm brings not only experience and leadership, but also a genuine passion for the sport and the community surrounding it.

He is a familiar and dependable presence at division races, giving his time willingly and helping ensure events run smoothly and professionally. Officials like Malcolm are invaluable to our division—not only because of the work they do, but because of the enthusiasm, positivity, and commitment they bring to the role year after year.

Malcolm’s long-standing service, leadership, and continued investment in the PNW racing community make him exceptionally deserving of the John Genoud Award. His recognition is well earned and long overdue.

On top of all the work he does as an official, Malcolm sits on the PNW Board of Directors and is the treasurer of the division. Let's give a round of applause for Malcolm!

06/10/2026

Awards were given out on Sat. May 30 during the 96th Annual PNW Board of Delegates Banquet. Awardee's were nominated by their peers and selected by the PNW Awards committee. For the next few days, the award recipients will be highlighted on this page.

Drumroll....... and here we go.

Norrie Lamson Award: For outstanding service to Juniors and the Junior race program over a period of several years.

2026 Recipient - Teresa Cravens, MBSEF ALPINE SKI TEAM

Teresa Cravens is exceptionally deserving of the Pacific Northwest Division’s Norrie Lamson Award, presented for “outstanding service to Juniors and the Junior race program over a period of several years.” Through decades of volunteer leadership with Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation, ongoing service to the Pacific Northwest Ski Education Foundation, and her unwavering commitment to creating meaningful experiences for athletes, families, coaches, officials, and volunteers, Teresa has become one of the foundational contributors to junior ski racing in our division. Her service has extended far beyond her years as a race parent, reflecting a rare level of selflessness, generosity, and dedication to the sport and its community that serves as an example for us all to follow and strive to emulate.

As Race Administrator for Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation, Teresa has played an invaluable role in coordinating and elevating countless races at all levels including Division championship events from YSL to Northwest Cup, to USCSA Collegiate Nationals, to Regional FIS events. Hosting races requires constant collaboration between the mountain, club leadership, officials, coaches, volunteers, athletes, and families, and Teresa manages those relationships with professionalism, grace, and positivity. Her calm problem-solving, attention to detail, and genuine care for people and their experience have helped make Mount Bachelor one of the most respected and welcoming race venues in the division.

Equally impactful has been Teresa’s longtime service to the Pacific Northwest Ski Education Foundation, the fundraising arm of our division. Through years of board service and fundraising leadership, she has helped support opportunities for athletes and coaches, safe race hosting initiatives such as B-Net programs, grants, and other important division needs. Teresa brings extraordinary enthusiasm and passion to this work, inspiring others to volunteer, contribute, and invest in the future of junior ski racing. Her energy is contagious, and her belief in the value of the organization has helped strengthen the broader ski racing community throughout the Pacific Northwest.

What makes Teresa especially remarkable is that she has continued to serve with joy and purpose long after her own son finished ski racing. She consistently goes above and beyond because she believes deeply in the people, relationships, and opportunities the sport creates. Teresa Cravens represents the very best of the Pacific Northwest Division and is profoundly deserving of the Norrie Lamson Award for “outstanding service to Juniors and the Junior race program over a period of several years.”

Teresa was a huge help with our annual banquet - working to finalize catering of the meal, helping with set up, and keeping everything rolling throughout the evening. We all so appreciate Teresa and all she does for the PNW Division.