North American Snowsports Journalist Association Announces 2022 Mitch Kaplan Award Winner
Eric Wilbur, editor of New England Ski Journal and author was awarded the 2022 NASJA Mitch Kaplan Award by the North American Snowsports Journalist Association, in a recent virtual award ceremony. Upon winning the award Wilbur commented, “It’s fun to think about the stories in New England that matter to the winter community and to see the magazine come together online and in print each month.”
Wilbur has spent the better part of the last two decades immersed in the New England snow and sports scene. His skiing and travel work has appeared in The Boston Globe, New England Ski Journal, and the Boston Metro. His role as a sports columnist for Boston.com continues today, recently has taken on the task of becoming a high school journalism teacher.
The Mitch Kaplan Award has a special meaning to members of NASJA. The award honors a journalist who best embodies NASJA’s late colleague and friend, emulating Mitch’s unwavering commitment to bring the joy of skiing to all and to give back to the sport that he loved so much.
This award is presented to the individual whose work and spirit best captures the enthusiasm and dedication the late Mitch Kaplan, former NASJA Secretary-Treasurer and multiple Harold S. Hirsch Award-winner, brought to NASJA and to the coverage of Snowsports. A gentleman and a gentleman, a fine journalist, and a friend to all, he was especially interested in programs and activities for children. Nominees may be, but do not have to be, a member of NASJA, and the 250–500-word nomination can focus on a specific assignment or overall contributions to the public understanding and enjoyment of Snowsports.
Past Recipients:
2021 Greg Sweetser, Former Executive Director of Ski Maine
2019 Halley O’Brien, The Snow Report
2018 Heather Burke, theluxuryvacationguide.com, familyskitrips.com, snowpack.com
2017 Moira McCarthy, winter sports and travel editor of the Boston Herald
2016 Dan Egan, NASJA East, Degan Media, Extreme Skiing Pioneer
2015 Frida Waara, NASJA Midwest, Emmy Award Winner, and board member of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
2014 Ted Heck, Editor and Publisher of the Blue Book of European Ski Resorts
2013 Jules Older, NASJA West, 5 Time Harold S. Hirsch Award Winner
2012 Curtis Fong, “The Guy From Tahoe”
2011 Jim Cantore, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel
About NASJA
THE NORTH AMERICAN SNOWSPORTS JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION (NASJA)
The North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) is a professional group of over 175 press and corporate members. Press members include writers, photographers and other communicators who report on ski, snowboard and Nordic related news, information and features via various media outlets. Corporate members include media contacts or employees of ski resorts, convention and visitor associations, manufacturers and others who have a commercial interest in the journalistic coverage of winter sports. NASJA is committed to encouraging and increasing diversity and inclusivity in Snowsports, and welcomes these unique perspectives and experiences, since clearly, the winter playgrounds are for everyone.
