The National Ski Areas Association awarded its NSAA Lifetime Achievement Award to Channing Murdock, owner and operator of Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
The announcement was made today at the NSAA National Convention and Trade Show held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary lifetime commitment to NSAA and the ski industry and whose contribution will benefit the industry for decades to come.
"This is the ninth consecutive year that NSAA has presented this award," said NSAA President Michael Berry. "These individuals deserve to be recognized for devoting their careers to growing the sport and for their efforts in supporting NSAA."
Murdock has earned his reputation for investing time and money into his mountain with respect to snowmaking, grooming and skier facilities, while maintaining a friendly, family atmosphere. More than 3 million people received their first ski experience on the area's slopes.
Butternut has earned several deserving awards, including the prestigious, First Place, Environmental Showcase Award from Ski Magazine in 1975 and the National Ski Area Design award from Snow Country magazine for having the "Best Day Lodge Under $2 million" in 1994.
The area opened in December 1963 as a result of hard work and a vision of Murdock and his wife, Jane. "We were only 25 years old at the time. We started off as the young kids on the block and now we are some of the only ones still on the block," said Murdock. "Everything we did, we did ourselves and with the help of our employees. This home-grown spirit remains today. This spirit has proven well for us, for almost every year has been profitable. We are very proud of this," added Murdock.
The past years have been especially challenging for Murdock who is recovering from a serious bicycle accident that occurred in 1994. Butternut also recovered from a severe tornado that hit his area in May 1995 which damaged five of the area's eight lifts and caused a million dollars worth of damage.
Murdock has contributed significantly to the ski area industry during the past 35 years. He has served as president of the Massachusetts Ski Areas Association; president of the Eastern Ski Areas Association, which transitioned into NSAA during his tenure; a founder, president and director of New England Ski Areas Council; and the founder of the Massachusetts Tramway Board.
Additionally, he served as a member of the B77 Committee Standards for Aerial Passenger Tramways. At NSAA, Murdock was very active, especially during the 1970s and '80s when he served on the board of directors, as the secretary, vice chair, and in 1988-89 he served as chair.
The National Ski Areas Association serves as the trade association for ski area owners and operators. The association began in 1962 and is located in Lakewood, Colorado.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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