Native New Mexican Speed Skier Ross Anderson to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognition at the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame Banquet on October 26, 2024
Ski New Mexico, in partnership with the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame, is proud to announce that Native American speed skier Ross Anderson will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame Banquet. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, at the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors (GAAR) Center.
Ross Anderson, born in New Mexico and raised in Durango, Colorado, made history in 2006 by becoming the fastest skier in the Western Hemisphere, reaching an astonishing speed of 247.934 kph at Les Arcs, France. A distinguished athlete on the U.S. Speed Skiing Team, he earned a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships and is an eight-time national champion.
With nearly two decades of experience in speed skiing, Anderson has been an integral part of the U.S. Speed Ski Team, the World Professional Ski Tour, the World Cup Federation, and the U.S. Snowboard/Ski Association. He holds licenses with the FSSV (Federation Suisse de Ski de Vitesse) and FFS (French Federation Ski) and serves as a board member for the Adaptive Ski Program.
A passionate advocate for youth skiing, Anderson founded the "Ski with Ross Anderson Weekend" in 1998, a program dedicated to inspiring young skiers. Through mentorship and encouragement, he motivates participants to pursue their dreams and instills a lifelong love for the sport.
The banquet will also recognize outstanding contributions in the ski industry for the 2023-2024 winter season. Award recipients include:
- Danny Ballas – Mountain Operations, Sandia Peak Ski Area
- Noa Flynn – Customer Service, Ski Santa Fe
- Cheri Smith – Customer Service, Taos Ski Valley
- Daniel Kuhn – Ski Patrol, Sandia Peak Ski Area
- Bob Koontz – Ski Instructor, Red River Ski & Summer Area
- Ben Murphy – Rental Shop, Sandia Peak Ski Area
The New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame aims to honor the pioneers, industry leaders, and inspirational figures who have made significant contributions to skiing and snowboarding in New Mexico. The museum, located at the base of the Sandia Peak Tramway, is made possible through the generosity of the Abruzzo family.
Ski New Mexico, established in 1979, is a non-profit trade organization committed to promoting the ski industry of New Mexico. Our mission is to increase year-round visitation to the state’s ski and mountain areas through effective marketing and promotional strategies.
