I’m a pretty competitive person. I’ve been known to pedal my bike as fast as I can to beat a total stranger to the top of a hill. And frankly, I ski my best when I’m skiing to keep up with my betters.
Still, I think I’m also a nice person, who knows when to temper that competitive streak and wholeheartedly support and congratulate my friends.
So today, I am thrilled to announce that Wendy Clinch, also known as The Ski Diva at the TheSkiDiva.com won this year’s Harold S. Hirsch Award for Excellence in Snowsports Journalism for her weekly blog posts. The award is presented by the North American Snowsports Journalists Association and Mountain Khakis.
Wendy started her blog 10 years ago, at the same time she founded TheSkiDiva.com forum. If you’re a female skier and you haven’t checked out her online community, it’s well worth taking the time to visit. You’re sure to find like-minded women and make new friends.
Here’s what one judge had to say about TheSkiDiva.com and Wendy.
Ski Diva isn’t just a blog, it’s a movement and a community platform. The writing is thoughtful and infused with passion, but technically strong. Smooth, easy to read style of writing. Writes with a vigorous personal voice layered with humor, pragmatism and personal connection. Well written travelogue, expressive writing style that enables the reader to feel like they are there with the author.
I met Wendy online in 2010 when Braveskimom.com was just beginning and I wanted to review her book, Fade To White.
At that time, Wendy and I were mostly alone as women writing about skiing and snowsports for a female audience. I remember talking to an editor of SKI Magazine in 2012 who told me that their demographic was “male, ages 25-45, who take one guys’ trip and one family trip each winter.”
Clearly there was, and is, an opening and demand for female perspectives. It’s my pleasure to share this space with Wendy.
And while men aren’t allowed on the SkiDiva.com forum, I’ve been gratified to see in recent months that fully 40% of my audience is male. Thanks guys!
Second is Sweet
What makes this even sweeter is that Braveskimom.com is the first runner-up to Wendy’s win. For the third time in five years, Braveskimom.com won honorable mention. The other two years, 2013 and 2014, Braveskimom.com took home top honors.
There are two reasons I am thrilled with Honorable Mention this year.
First, the judges’ comments: I’m humbled by the positive feedback (and I hope you’ll indulge me in sharing them).
Kristen has set the bar high for herself and the industry. She is committed to the industry and her bravery is incredibly inspiring, especially with her personal stories about injuries and the resulting fear, her cancer and life.
Brave Ski Mom has a clean, easily relatable style that covers many different topics across winter sports. The passion and pleasure Kristen gains from snowsports comes through, especially those related to skiing with her family. Only occasionally leaves the ski & ride or mountain lifestyle realm, but when she does she’s makes it relevant and a worthwhile read.
You want Kristen as your next door neighbor if you can’t have her for your mom. With a rollicking writing style and equally forceful approach to life — not to mention skiing — Lummis shows what can be done with first person commentary and topics carefully chosen.
Second, I am happy to share second place/Honorable Mention with my good friend Jules Older, of the Slope Dope at the San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate.
A veteran writer and journalist, Jules has written for some of the top publications in the world, including The New York Times, The Guardian and POWDER.
His blog posts incorporate his unique perspective, with an emphasis on controversial issues like ski area liability and climate change.
Here’s what one judge said about Jules.
A graceful writer whose expertise in the sport and controlled styles make his columns a delight to read. Older strengthens his seasonal posts with solid primary reporting and research. Has a gift for successfully connecting news and political events with skiing.
So here’s to you Wendy and Jules! I appreciate your fine company.
Cheers!
More:
- Even When I Feel Like a Loser, It Turns Out I’m a Winner, March 31, 2014.
- For Women Who Ski: An Interview with TheSkiDiva.com’s Wendy Clinch, September 14, 2015
- Some Good Reads for These Long Winter Nights, November 24, 2010.
- It’s a Small Ski Diva World, July 19, 2011.
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Martha Graf says
YOU are a fabulous writer!!
braveskimom says
Thank you Martha!
Andra Byrnes says
Congratulations Kristen! I find myself reading your entire at articles, because of the way you write.!
braveskimom says
Thank you Andra! That means a lot to me! Cheers!
Martin Griff says
Glad I’m not a judge. You’re both tops! Congrats!
braveskimom says
Thanks Martin! That’s very kind!
Wendy says
Thanks Martin!
julesolder says
I’m more than proud to be sharing the spot with you, BSM. Thanks for letting the world know.
braveskimom says
You betcha!
Wendy says
Thanks so much, Kristen! Such high praise from you truly means a lot!
braveskimom says
Thanks for being a friend Wendy! Rock on, Ski Diva!
Heather says
High fives (would our teenagers cringe??) to you my lifelong friend and adventure seeker! Psyched for all that you — and your cohorts out in the blogging world — have accomplished when it comes to covering our “happy places” out in the world.
braveskimom says
Thanks Heather! And here’s a fist bump right back at ya!