Left: Bob Roberts (on left) accepting his award from Michael Berry, president of NSAA. Right: Dave Ingemie (on right) with Michael Berry.

2015 Lifetime Achievement Award: NSAA presented 2015 Lifetime Achievement Awards to David Ingemie, president of Snowsports Industries America, and Bob Roberts, president and CEO of the California Ski Industry Association. Both have announced their planned retirements.

The Killington team (l to r: Rob Megnin, Dave Beckwith and Mike Solimano) accepting the Cup from Michael Berry, president of NSAA.

2015 Conversion Cup: Killington, Vt., earned the 2015 Conversion Cup. Killington expanded its aggressive beginner learning program, offering free skis (500 of them) and snowboards (200) to adult lesson takers, and 200 pairs of skis and boots to children. To qualify, lesson takers had to complete four lessons. Killington reports that 96 percent of those who participated in the program say they will continue with the sport, and 94 percent said having the equipment was a prime motivation and contributing factor. About 66 said they went on to visit another resort during the season.

Ski Area Safety Awards: NSAA’s annual Safety Awards were awarded to Sun Valley Resort, Idaho; Angel Fire Resort, New Mexico, Aspen Snowmass, Colo., Wachusett Mountain, Mass., and Snowbowl, Ariz. Adam Wunderlich, mountain patrol manager at Boreal Mountain Resort, Calif., was named the 2015 Safety Champion.

2015 Golden Eagle Awards: SKI Magazine honored three ski areas with the 2015 Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence, including Winter Park Resort, Colo., Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore., and Shawnee Peak, Maine. Brent Giles of Powdr Corp., Utah, was named the 2015 "Hero of Sustainability."