SAM Magazine-Lakewood, Colo., April 30, 2009-The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has honored nine member resorts with its annual Heads Up National Ski Area Safety Awards, in recognition of the resorts' programs to educate employees and guests about skiing and snowboarding responsibly. The 2009 winners are:

• Best Overall Safety Program

(more than 250,000 skier visits)

Beaver Creek Resort, Colo.

• Best Overall Safety Program

(less than 250,000 skier visits)

Arizona Snowbowl, Ariz.

• Best Safety Week Program

Vail Mountain, Colo.

• Best Terrain Park Safety Program

Stevens Pass, Wash.

• Best Avalanche Safety Program

Telluride Ski Resort, Colo.

• Best Helmet Safety Program

Okemo Mountain Resort, Vt.

• Best Use of the Web in a Safety Campaign

Holiday Valley Resort, N.Y.

• Best Employee Involvement & Education

Mountain High Resort, Calif.

• Best Safety Rap (Community Outreach)

Northstar-at-Tahoe, Calif.

"We are continually impressed with the innovative efforts our member ski areas make all season long in educating their guests about skiing and riding safety," said NSAA director of education and risk, Dave Byrd.

The winning programs will be officially recognized during NSAA's National Convention & Tradeshow at the Marriott Marco Island Resort, Fla., May 13-16. \