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Oct 31, 2025 Marriott Library’s Ski and Snow Sports Archive Celebrated, Awards Presented

Posted at 13:44h in Awards, Events by
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By Heidi Brett, Marketing & PR Director, J. Willard Marriott Library

The Marriott Library celebrated its Ski and Snow Sports Archives at the annual Ski Affair, which benefits the Archives, one of the largest in the world dedicated to the history of the ski industry, regional competitions and the 2002 Winter Olympics. 

Three awards were presented —one to Colin Hilton, president of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (the foundation), which oversaw Utah’s three Olympic and Paralympic venues. The second award went to Ski Utah, the organization responsible for marketing Utah’s ski slopes worldwide, and the third went to Barbie Kallerud who received the Sue Raemer Award for extraordinary volunteer service. The Ski Affair was held on Wednesday, October 29 at the U’s Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House. 

Three people accepting an award, two men on the left and one woman on the right. The award is in between them and they are joyfully accepting the award.
Left to right: Colin Hilton, David Quinney and Barbara Yamada
Three people stand together holding an award in the middle. They are dressed formally and are happily receiving the award in front of a large banner behind them that reads Ski and snow sports.
Left to right: Nathan Rafferty, Barbara Yamada and Raelene Davis
A man holding an award. His name tag reads Thor and he's accepting the award on behalf of his wife, Barbie, whose name is inscribed on the award.
Thor Kallerud accepted the Sue Raemer Volunteer Award on behalf of his wife, Barbie Kallerud.

David Quinney presented the S. J. Quinney Award to Hilton, who, before heading up the foundation, had gained experience at numerous sports-oriented events including the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. 

“We cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive the Quinney Award,” said Barbara Yamada, longtime chair. “Colin and his team have served as great stewards of our 2002 Olympic venues. We applaud them for their remarkable vision and leadership.” 

Ski Utah, the official marketing organization for Utah’s ski industry, received the 2025 History Maker Award for its impressive 50 years of boosting winter tourism—now a $3 billion industry. Yamada commented, “We wouldn’t be the ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’ if it hadn’t been for Ski Utah and everything they do to attract skiers and snowboarders from across the globe to our beautiful slopes. So, I thank this organization and the great team behind it.” 

The evening included a social hour, dinner and program, as well as drawings for several packages—including one from Deer Valley that provides lift tickets and the opportunity to ski with an Olympic athlete, valued at nearly $3,000. All proceeds went to the Marriott Library’s Special Collections for the betterment and maintenance of the Ski and Snow Sports Archives. This year specifically, donors had the option of supporting students by making gifts to the Student Support Fund, which provides the salaries for students who work in the library. 

  • A group shot of the current Ski Board. They are in formal & festive attire and they are happily posing on the stairs at the Ski Affair.
  • A man in a suit stands smiling outdoors at dusk, giving a shaka sign. He's beside a large geometric metal sculpture, with trees and a soft sky in the background.
  • A group shot of the University of Utah ski team posing on the the stairs at the Ski Affair event.
  • Three people posing at the 2025 ski affair. They are smiling and posing for the photo. Their name tags read Nathan Rafferty Syd Reed and Karen Marriott.
  • Two people posing and smiling for a photo at the 2025 ski affair. Their name tags read Michael Homer and Nancy Browning.
  • Two people smiling and posing for a photo at the Ski affair. Their name tags read Tom Nielson and Kim Nielsen.
  • Two people posing for a photo at the Ski affair. Their name tags read Spence Eccles and Katrina Jensen.

About the Ski and Snow Sports Archive  

Dedicated to preserving the history and development of Utah’s winter sports industry and competition environment, the Archives are considered the largest of its type nationally and internationally. Researchers will find materials on local, national and international ski competitions, the founding of major resorts, snow safety and avalanche control and even the 10th Mountain Division who fought in the European Alps during WWII and trained at Utah’s Alta Ski Area. 

If you are interested in contributing to the Ski Archives, contact Special Collections.

Black and white image of two people skiing down a mountain. One of them is a child and the other is an adult.
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