Vail Ski & Snowboard School’s Trainer of the Year is awarded annually in to trainers who “suck at the highest level.”
“Best of Bergie”
The Trainer of the Year is awarded in memory of Donald “Jerry” Berg, affectionately known as Bergie.
Bergie joined the Vail Ski School in the early 1970s. He was a PSIA trainer, examiner and alpine committee chair, and skied on the national demo team from 1988 to 1992. He was also ESF certified in France.
Bergie influenced a generation of Colorado ski instructors, who considered him the best of the best.
Award Recipients
2022-2023 Chris Caruso – Katie Zinn
2021-2022 Francis Do
2020-2021 Greg Kelley
2019-2020 Adam Beaulieu
2018-2019 Randy “Chief” Nelstead
2017-2018: Jenn Metz
2016-2017: TJ Metz
2015-2016: Dual Award – Mike Evans and Joe Webster. Special “Excellence in Training” Ski presented to Mike Porter.
2014-2015: Dual Award – Jenn Metz and John Weiss
2013-2014: Dave Alonzo
Jeff Patterson Award
Snowboard Trainer of the Year is awarded in the memory of Jeff Paterson.
Jeff always took the time to say hi and checked in with everyone. His approach was “right to the point and no frills”. His impact on different snowboarders has lead many to carve a successful career in the industry and influence other snowboarders others in his memory.
Award Recipients
2022-2023 Lyndsey Stevens, “Vail Snowboard Legacy Award” – Jason Schetrompf
2021-2022 Chris Rogers
2019-2020 Nat Hammerli
2018-2019 Cole Dissenger
