Special Recognition Awards

Jay Blackwood was presented the first Distinguished Service Award in 2022. Jay began working at Sandia Peak/La Madera in 1962, serving as a lift operator and in the rental shop. He went to work on the Sandia Peak Tram at its inception, first loading tram cars, checking tickets, and taking care of the building. He rose to manager in the 1980s, a position he held for many years. Jay contributed to the making of a book on the history of Sandia Peak (1997), and this led him to start collecting historical information on all New Mexico ski areas and become involved with the NM Ski Museum. He co-authored with Daniel Gibson, a visual history of skiing in New Mexico titled Skiing in New Mexico (2021, from Arcadia Publishing). He is also the curator of the New Mexico Ski Museum. He lives in Rio Rancho.