At it’s annual convention, this year held in Reno, Nevada, the Far West Ski Association has announced the winners of its annual service awards, including awards to journalists who make noteworthy contributions to skiing.
One of the most prestigious of these trophies is the Warren Miller Modern Media Award, given for outstanding service to skiing by the film, television, radio, and electronic media.
This year, the winners of this coveted plaque were Jimmy Petterson and Ari Heinilä, who combined efforts in creating the TV series, Raider of the Lost Snow. The 6-part series was loosely based on Petterson’s seminal work on skiing, his 2005 book, Skiing Around the World.
This was the second honour for Petterson, Heinilä and Raiders within a short period, as the series also won the Harold Hirsch award, given by the North American Snowsports Journalists, in March this year.
With over 50,000 members, the Far West Ski Association is one of the largest ski organizations in the United States.
Petterson and Heinilä were very thankful for the honour. In a letter sent to FWSA convention chairman Steve Coxen, Petterson, writing on behalf of himself and Heinilä, wrote,

Thanks very much to all of you for this high honor. To be associated with the name Warren Miller and receive this award really makes Ari and I feel fantastic.”