April Whitney

Longtime Brundage Mountain Public Relations professional, April Whitney, has been honored by the North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) for her communications efforts on behalf of the independently owned ski resort. NASJA press members voted to award Whitney with the organization’s 2023 Bob Gillen Memorial Award on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

This award is named for the late Bob Gillen, former SKI Magazine editor and marketer at Crested Butte and Sugarbush ski resorts. It honors an individual corporate member who “exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism in public relations and communications for their long-term contributions to the advancement of snowsports”. 

Whitney, who worked as a journalist herself for more than a decade before she joined Brundage Mountain in 2004, was recognized for her keen understanding of the working relationship between the information specialist and the journalist. Whitney was also commended for her team’s ability to communicate openly and consistently with Brundage Mountain guests and community members over the years through the resort’s snow reports, blog, emails and social media channels.

“The ski industry and its communications side have gone through major changes,” says retired NASJA press member and former NASJA president, Martin Griff. “It’s comforting to know that resorts like Brundage and Public Relations folks like April are still around standing out from the rest.”

NASJA Members Tour Brundage Mountain in January 2009

In addition to her day-to-day work with journalists over the past 18 years, Whitney has coordinated several on-site media visits for members of the NASJA organization to experience Brundage Mountain and the surrounding communities. She’s also served as the McCall Chamber of Commerce Marketing Chair for the past 10 years.

“Brundage Mountain is not one of the best-known ski resorts in the country, but I’ve always believed it’s one of the best,” says Whitney. “Having the opportunity to share the amazing ski experience and great community vibe with people who’ve dedicated their careers to snowsports has always been a pleasure and a privilege.”

Whitney worked directly for Brundage Mountain Resort from 2004 until 2021, when she opened her own Public Relations and Communications agency. She continues to represent Brundage Mountain as a key client.

“It’s a great pleasure to see April receive this recognition,” says Brundage Mountain General Manager, Ken Rider. “April has been devoted to the success of Brundage Mountain and the McCall community for nearly two decades and this is proof that her work has made a big impact beyond our area, as well.”

Screenshot from NASJA Awards Ceremony June 7, 2023. Right: Michaela Shiffrin. Left, second from top: April Whitney. Left, third from top: Glen Plake

Other honorees at the 2023 NASJA awards included Michaela Shiffrin, who was recognized with the group’s Competitor of the Year Award, and Glen Plake, who took home the Carson White Snowsports Achievement Award for making a significant contribution to the advancement of snowsports in North America through his lifetime of snowsports endeavors.

The NASJA organization’s annual awards program recognizes press members for exceptional work in the categories of words, images, and books, along with the above-mentioned awards for athletes and ski resort communications professionals. www.nasja.org