SAM Magazine—Boston, Mass., Nov. 15, 2016—The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame class of 2016 includes 10 individuals who have all had a major impact on the industry.

“Each member of the Hall of Fame's class of 2016 was a remarkable leader as an athlete or sport builder,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame chairman Tom Kelly. “So much of what all of us enjoy in our sport today has emanated from these outstanding honored members of the Hall of Fame.”

A national voting panel selects the incoming class in the fall of each year. The class of 2016 will be inducted and honored in Stowe, Vt., on April 8, 2017, and enshrined the following September at the Hall of Fame Museum in Ishpeming, Mich. Ishpeming is the birthplace of modern, organized skiing in America.

Michael Berry, Colo.: Michael has been president of the National Ski Areas Association since 1993. Under his leadership, the NSAA significantly increased annual visits to resorts throughout North America. Michael's vision helped create continuity and a sustainable growth model for resorts.

Chuck Lewis, Colo.: A competitor at heart, Chuck is known within the industry for his vision and passion. His dedication and meticulous planning helped to conceive Copper Mountain and a trail design and layout philosophy widely accepted and used to this day.

Bernie Weichsel, Mass.: Known globally throughout the industry, Bernie has done it all. As an advocate, he created an organized freestyle competition circuit in the 1970s. His innovative SKI USA worldwide marketing promotions of the 1980s continue to bring thousands of international skiers to U.S. slopes, and his long-running consumer ski and snowboard expos attract tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Dan and John Egan, N.H./Vt.: The Egan brothers have starred in more Warren Miller films than anyone worldwide. As pioneering explorers and ambassadors they have traveled the globe to put “extreme” in skiing. This dynamic duo set the standard for what is possible in big-mountain skiing.

Jeff Hastings, N.H.: Jeff impacted Olympic ski jumping as a competitor and coach. His fourth-place Olympic performance in 1984 in Sarajevo holds as a record in modern U.S. ski jumping. He has continued his work teaching, judging, and commentating competitions and advocating for jumping and Nordic combined.

Shaun Palmer, Calif.: Known as one of the forefathers of extreme sport, Shaun competed in professional snowboarding for almost 20 years. His prowess in the pipe from 1995 to 2014 earned him six X-Games gold medals, gold at the 2002 Gravity Games, and a berth on the 2006 Torino Olympic team. At the 2001 ESPY Awards, he was named Action Sports Athlete of The Year, and attracted thousands to snowboarding.

Ellen Post Foster, D.C.: Ellen touched both the freestyle skiing world as an athlete and the Professional Ski Instructors of America as a model instructor and visionary. Her efforts and passion for snowsport motivated countless young skiers to hit the slopes. Her contributions continue as an author and advocate of skiing education.

Marion Post Caldwell, D.C.: As a freestyle skiing icon, Marion dominated the sport in the 1970s. She was women's overall champ in '76 and '77 and was named Freestyle Skier of the Year. She brought skiing to the world stage as an ambassador and pioneer of the sport.

Gretchen Rous Besser, Vt.: While her career as a ski patroller and first aid instructor are impressive, her impact as an historian, international liaison, and visionary in the world of skiing sets her apart. She generously shares her passion and vast knowledge to better industry organizations worldwide.

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