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Lifetime Achievement Award

Onno Wieringa

Former General Manager & President, Alta Ski Area

By Geraldine Link, NSAA Director of Public Policy

Onno Wieringa is one of a kind. A respected industry leader, he is the use of military weapons and explosives. His unwavering discipline
an innovator, environmental steward, and thoughtful and tireless and calm demeanor positioned him well for the task. He was an artillery
contributor to the industry and sport that he loves. After a 45-year gunner from the 1970s all the way through 2017, applying his expertise
career at Alta Ski Area in Utah—including the last 29 as the resort’s on behalf of the ski area, the Forest Service, and the Utah Department
general manager—Wieringa retired in 2017 and headed back to his of Transportation. With Wieringa at the helm, Alta set the bar high
home state of Montana. For his many contributions and leadership for advancements in snow safety, and is greatly respected in the
in the areas of snow safety, sustainability, and chairlift safety, the ski broader community as a result. He served as president of the National
industry is proud to honor the distinguished career of Onno Wieringa Avalanche Foundation for more than a decade.
with the NSAA Lifetime Achievement Award. The creation of the Alta Environmental Center is certainly one
th
Wieringa’s father was in the 10 Mountain Division, and upon of Wieringa’s lasting legacies. In recognition of Alta’s heritage of
returning to Conrad, Mont., he set out to raise a family and make skiing conservation—and drawing inspiration from Aspen’s Pat O’Donnell—
a family sport. A lifelong skier, Onno started skiing around age 5. His he created the center in 2008. The facility coordinates all of
home ski areas were King’s Hill (now Showdown Ski Area) and Big Alta’s environmental efforts, and is instrumental in developing and
Mountain (now Whitefish Mountain Resort). He was a ski instructor at implementing new sustainability initiatives and regularly reporting on
Marshall Ski Area in Missoula during college and a ski patroller at Rainy them in a transparent fashion. Alta, one of the founding members of
Mountain (now Maverick Mountain) and Bridger Bowl. NSAA’s Climate Challenge under Wieringa’s leadership, set a target
In 1972 Wieringa arrived at Alta, working as a bartender at of reducing carbon 20 percent by 2020. In 2012 Alta received LEED
the Rustler Lodge and as a ski patroller. After six years of patrolling, Silver Certification for its Skier Services Building. Alta and Wieringa
he was head of Alta’s snow safety department from 1978 to 1988, have received a number of environmental awards including the SKI
serving under Chic Morton, the area’s second general manager. When Magazine Golden Eagle Award and Hero of Sustainability Award as
Morton was ready to retire in 1988, he tapped Wieringa to fill the role well as Utah Business magazine’s Sustainability Leadership Award.
and serve as the resort’s third GM. The passion for improvement and Wieringa has also made significant contributions to lift safety,
connection with people that earned Wieringa the job guided him over serving on the Utah passenger Ropeway Safety Committee and the
the next 29 years for the benefit of Alta and the ski industry at large. ANSI B-77 Committee for two decades, and also on the National
Throughout his career, Wieringa was a true innovator. He Tramway Safety Board. In fact, he is still a volunteer member of ANSI
embraced technology and implemented groundbreaking changes B-77 as he continues in a consulting role to support chairlift safety.
at Alta with an eye toward always making the experience better. He Wieringa is the epitome of a good neighbor. He was instrumental
proudly worked with Yan Kunczynski to develop a one-of-a-kind skier in forming the “Altabird” partnership with neighboring Snowbird, a
mover. He was responsible for putting a “bend” in the Collins lift and testament to both his and Bob Bonar’s willingness to put collaboration
installing a Magic Carpet at Supreme lift—never afraid to take on ahead of competition. He maintained an exemplary relationship with
challenges to meet the unique needs of the ski area. He spearheaded Forest Service personnel during his career, and he volunteered his
the design of Alta’s bars on chairlifts, ensuring they were designed time to NSAA through his service on the Board of Directors, Public
specifically to keep kids in the chairs. He also made Alta an early Lands Committee, and Environmental Committee. His respect for the
adopter of RFID technology. mountain, the environment, but perhaps most importantly, people, sets
Wieringa applied his creativity to growing the sport as well. In 2005 him apart as a ski industry leader. That respect was given back to him
he established Alta’s Ski Free at 3 program, attracting local youth to try over the span of his career by those who had the pleasure of working
the sport. He later changed the program (always improving!) to Ski at 3 with him or knowing him.
for $5 to teach skiers how to buy a pass and use it. He managed to make Wieringa and his wife of 30 years, Tana, raised two wonderful
all of these changes while preserving the culture and feel of Alta. children, Siri Anna and Onno Shay, in Alta and Glacier Park, thanks to
Wieringa’s expertise and leadership in the snow safety arena are the efforts of great friends and community support.
legendary. In his own words, “a lot of snow fell” in the four decades he For his significant and meaningful contributions to the Utah ski
spent in Little Cottonwood Canyon, providing him the opportunity to industry and the U.S. ski industry, NSAA is proud to present Onno
gain unmatched expertise and be a pioneer in avalanche control and Wieringa with the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award.

C34 | CONVENTION 2018 | NSAA JOURNAL