GRANBY, CO – The Snow Angel Foundation will unite with quintessential American snowsports venues Killington and Jay Peak to promote skiing and snowboard safety at the annual North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) meeting and symposium in Boston on November 15.
Held immediately before festivities begin for the annual Snowbound Expo, the east coast’s leading consumer snowsports convention, NASJA Second Vice President Jay Flemma will moderate a panel discussion between guest speakers Chauncy Johnson, co-founder and Executive Operating Officer of the Snow Angel Foundation, Amy Laramie, VP of Brand Marketing and Events at Killington, and David Marchand, Head of Jay Peak ski patrol. The discussion will begin at 11 a.m. at The Studio, 2 Seaport Lane, Third Floor, Boston. NASJA will hold its annual members meeting immediately before, at 10 a.m. at the same venue.
The Snow Angels participation at the symposium signals an even wider expansion of their winter sports safety message, and their appearance with Killington is not a coincidence. The two entities now form a powerhouse delivering a critically important message: skiing safely saves lives. Johnson founded the Snow Angels after the tragic death of his toddler daughter and the life-changing maiming of his wife in an accident with a speeding snowboarder. Sadly, the snowboarder was also killed.
“On slope safety – It’s a hot topic in light of several high-profile incidents that [also] include a skier death in a collision that resulted in manslaughter charges against the other skier involved,” wrote sitting NASJA president Charlie Sanders. “We’re delighted to have the Snow Angels whose mission is to provide education and raise awareness.”
A union with Killington and its massive brand can only elevate the Snow Angels’ message and imprimatur. One of America’s biggest and most iconic venues, the “Beast of the East” has a massive marketing push behind it, one that the entire winter sports world hears and can hearken too, especially with Johnson and Laramie passionately and poignantly bringing their point home.
Moreover, the addition of Jay Peak only increases the excitement. Once known only to the locals and the cognoscenti who spoke of Jay in holy whispers for its formidable Face Chutes and glorious galaxy of glades, joining Indy Pass has sent Jay’s reputation skyrocketing nationally. Jay’s patrollers are regarded as the gold standard in the industry, with some patrollers achieving a quasi-celebrity status for their dedication and skill, especially under the harsh conditions so often prevalent at Jay. Carrying on the tradition of legendary Jy Patrollers 601 and Mickey, Dave Marchand, the new head of patrollers at Jay will talk about Jay’s industry-leading approach to on-slope safety.
Industry, press, and general public are all welcome to apply for an invitation to the panel discussion. Please contact Janet White at janet.white@nasja.org to R.S.V.P.
NASJA thanks member Roger Lohr for coordinating this presentation.
[Disclaimer: Your Author is the Second Vice President of the North American Snowsports Journalists.]
