Trainer of the Year

Vail Ski & Snowboard School’s Trainer of the Year is awarded annually in to trainers who “suck at the highest level.”

“Best of Bergie”

Best of BergieThe 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

2023-2024 Kolby Knox

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

2023-2024 Suzy Price

2022-2023 Lyndsey Stevens, “Vail Snowboard Legacy Award” – Jason Schetrompf

2021-2022 Chris Rogers

2019-2020 Nat Hammerli

2018-2019 Cole Dissenger