The I AM a Snowmaker contest—sponsored by HKD Snowmakers—highlights the hard work, determination, and camaraderie of snowmakers and recognizes their critical contributions to the alpine, Nordic, snowboard, and winter tubing industry. I AM a Snowmaker launched in 2013 and has since provided a behind-the-scenes look at the expertise and character of a wide variety of snowmaking teams across North America.
Congratulations to Bolton Valley, the 2025 winners of the I AM a Snowmaker contest! View their videos and the others, below.
HKD will host the winning team at its Canadian headquarters in Quebec City, Quebec, for two days of education and entertainment. The I AM a Snowmaker winners will be given the opportunity to dive deep into HKD’s best-selling products and learn how to maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and safely operate HKD equipment.
Congratulations to the competing resorts:
Big Sky, Mont.
With over 200 years of collective experience among a dynamic crew of 42 snowmakers ranging from veterans of 20+ years to first-year team members, Big Sky's snowmaking team works tirelessly behind the scenes to transform the iconic 5,850-acre Lone Mountain into a world-class ski destination. Each fall, after months of intensive installation and maintenance work, these unsung heroes brave arctic winds and brutal conditions during 12-hour shifts to methodically cover the mountain with pristine snow. Their unwavering dedication and teamwork ensure Big Sky is ready for everything from Race Camp to public opening, crafting what they proudly call the "Ribbon of Livin" across three properties regardless of what nature has in store.
Bolton Valley, Vt.
Though our team may be small, they are certainly mighty. We’re lucky to have a team of 12 dedicated snowmakers with a total of well over 100 years of experience, most of that at Bolton, to make winter happen here on the mountain. While interviewing each team member, every single one of them mentioned that they liked being here at Bolton because of the family environment, and they said it without knowing what anyone had said before them. We’re really proud of the family legacy here at our family owned resort, and honored that our employees feel it too. Whether it's someone like Kevin who's been at it for 42 years, or John who's still learning the ropes, it's these people that keep us movin' year after year and we're thrilled to be able to share their talents.
Holiday Valley, N.Y.
When it comes to snowmaking at Holiday Valley, it’s more than just a job — it’s a lifestyle. With about 18 dedicated crew members, bringing over 100 years of combined snowmaking experience, this team is the heartbeat of winter in Ellicottville, N.Y. What drives this team? It’s more than just making snow—it’s about making memories that last for generations.
The snowmaking team is a family in every sense of the word. We’ve got each other’s backs through every long night, every biting wind, and every pre-dawn shift. We take pride in our craft because we know it goes beyond the slopes. It's about creating that ideal first run for a child learning to ski, or carving out a day of fun for families who come back year after year. The town of Ellicottville isn’t just where we work—it’s where we live, raise our families, and grow the next generation of skiers and snowboarders.
At Holiday Valley, family is at the core of everything we do—from the camaraderie of our team to the smiles we see on the slopes. We make snow to create joy, adventure, and lasting bonds. And we couldn’t do it without the support of our town, our guests, and each other.
Jackson XC, N.H.
The Jackson XC snowmaking team is a core group of three: Silas, Steve (who escaped being captured on film), and Karen. Karen made snow at a local downhill area, King Pine, before she joined Jackson XC as a patroller and now a groomer/snowmaker. Silas and Steve learned about snowmaking on the job. Silas has his own furniture-making business and farms in the summer; Steve and Karen work for the U.S. Forest Service in the summer building and repairing roads and bridges. The crew also includes Ben, who is the lead patroller; he works for Outward Bound in the summer and has also taught skiing at Taos. The water system was designed by volunteer and board member Fred Symmes who is an environmental engineer in real life. Fred has pulled many snowmaking shifts and he has designed and fabricated some of the water management devices. Others of us pitch in as needed to do glamorous work, like thawing hoses in the showers!
Mount Sima, Yukon, Canada
Mount Sima is a small community ski hill about 15 minutes south of Whitehorse, Yukon. In order to provide the best customer experience all season long, we run an extensive snowmaking season prior to opening in December. With three shifts running 24 hours, 3-4 people per shift, our team consists of about 18 people—some in their first year while others have six, seven-plus years of experience. All together, there is about 40 years experience, collectively. This season was definitely one for the books with a literal dream team! Six long, fun, wet weeks later our snowmaking was complete, and needless to say, this team made it happen. From blown hoses, to broken-down snowcats, to lost headlamps, to roaring Northern Lights, our team saw it all and made it all come together, together.
