Cooper Foundation

The William Y. Cooper Foundation, Inc. makes monetary grants available to Mount Snow ski and snowboard pros, coaches and ski patrollers who wish to further their education or certification status by attending PSIA-E, PSIA, AASI, USSA or related events as approved by the Board of Directors. Grants are open to anyone who has been employed as a ski or snowboard pro, coach or ski patroller at Mount Snow for a minimum of two (2) years and are awarded based on the applicant’s personal and professional goals, snowsports school experience, and willingness to share the benefits of educational events with other Mount Snow staff members. Grants may partially or fully reimburse the applicant for the cost of registration fees for an approved event. The number and amount of grant awards depends upon available Foundation funds and the recommendations of a Grant Review Committee that takes into consideration employee performance, loyalty to Mount Snow and embodiment of the spirit of sharing for which Bill Cooper was known.

To Apply for a Cooper Grant

Download a grant application: PDF Style. Complete the application and deliver it to: Maureen Drummey Ski Ride School, Senior Manager Phone: 802-464-7046 maureen.b.drummey@vailresorts.com

To Receive the Grant Award

Attend the educational event.
Download the reimbursement cover sheet: PDF Style.
Compete the reimbursement cover sheet and prepare a 1-page written summary report about the event. Make a copy of both the cover sheet and report for your records and submit the signed original to Maureen Drummey (See addresses above).
Make arrangements with the Training Manager for the Skiing Services Department to schedule an appropriate time to share information you gained from the event with Mount Snow snowsports pros, coaches or ski patrollers. The Foundation Treasurer will issue a reimbursement check upon the Foundation President’s authorization.

Hyde Academy

In 2013, the Board of Directors voted to establish the Hyde Academy to honor the legacy of James Patten Hyde who presided over the Sundance Base Lodge group lessons programs that service the many groups that come to Mount Snow. While not always under the best of conditions, “JP” or “Pat” always took great care of the mountain’s guests with an especially kind eye to new skiers or riders. The Hyde Academy was created to award staff who embrace Pat’s legacy of always putting the guest first and taking the extra time to make sure the guests are getting the best possible service and lesson or coaching that they can. In 2015, sixteen ski and snowboard instructors participated in the first Hyde Academy. They were selected by their core area managers based on their performance with Mount Snow guests. Two visiting trainers -- Eric Lipton from the PSIA National Alpine Team and Tom Vickery, a AASI Education Teams Coach -- led the group through two days of training, including a first day focus on teaching new skiers and riders and a second day focus on teaching skills development to intermediate skiers and riders.