By WILLIAM MCCRILLIS
NEWBURY — Garry George is the recipient of the 2019 Silver Anniversary of the John W. McCrillis Award. He is being honored at an award banquet sponsored by the Mount Sunapee Area Ski Club at the Sunapee Lodge at Mount Sunapee Resort on Saturday March 23.
The award was started in 1995 by McCrillis’ six grandchildren who wanted to honor their grandfather for his legacy and contributions to skiing. Mr. McCrillis was a ski pioneer in the early to mid-20th century in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest who encouraged and enabled people to take up the lifelong sport of skiing. He was elected to the U.S Ski Hall of Fame in 1966 after being nominated by the Mount Sunapee Ski Club. The John W. McCrillis Award recognizes people in the greater Newport/Sunapee to Upper Valley Region who have made a significant contribution to skiing. The McCrillis grandchildren have partnered with the Mount Sunapee Area Ski Club to present the award annually to deserving recipients.
Garry George grew up in a skiing family in Andover, the son of Ellie and Howard George. Ellie taught skiing at the King Ridge Ski Area and Howard owned and ran the Blackwater Ski Shop in Andover. Garry’s father, Howard, also received the McCrillis Award in 2009. Garry started skiing at the young age of 3 years old on the trails of Ragged Mountain. He quickly grew to love the sport and started racing in the Buddy Werner Race Program at Ragged and throughout the state of New Hampshire.
During his high school years Garry attended Proctor Academy and raced on the Proctor Ski Team. He had a very successful race career at Proctor and during his senior year, won both the slalom and giant slalom events at the New England Prep School Championships.
Following graduation from Proctor, Garry skied competitively for a year out of the Pat’s Peak Race Academy. During this year Garry raced all across the United States and even raced in the remote island country of Iceland.
In 1980 Garry started working at Proctor as a varsity ski team coach, the Eastern ski team coach, and in the grounds department. In the winter of 1981-82 Garry became the Proctor Ski Area manager, formerly known as the Blackwater Ski Area, and is now in his 37th year of managing the ski area. Over the past 37 years, Garry has been totally dedicated to all facets of the operation of the Proctor Ski Area.
Garry has overseen and coordinated many improvements over the decades to the Proctor Ski Area. Snow making was installed on the alpine trails, cross-country trails, and ski jumps. The trails have been widened and vastly improved while all of the trails and jumps are now illuminated for night time skiing. Two new lifts have been installed, the base lodge has been completely renovated and new ski jumps constructed. The Proctor Ski Area is the only facility and ski area in New England that offers alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and ski jumping in one location!
From late November to the middle of March Garry oversees a beehive of activity six to seven days a week. A typical day for Garry and his staff starts at 7 a.m. and then from 8 a.m. on, hundreds of skiers from Proctor, local junior programs, local high schools, the Andover Outing Club, and four colleges train and ski at the Proctor Ski Area. Garry coordinates the scheduling of all of these training sessions, races, and competitions and ensures that the ski area is ready each and every day by providing the best snow conditions around! When the last skiers leave for the day, there is still grooming that needs to be done for the next day of skiing. Garry and his dedicated staff always greet you with a smile and cheery disposition.
Garry has been married to his loving and supportive wife, Lynn, for 38 years. They have two children Cory and Jessica, three grandchildren, Novalynn, Azalea, and Kalvin, and reside in Andover.
The Mount Sunapee Area Ski Club is extremely pleased to be hosting the 25th annual John W. McCrillis Award Banquet to honor Garry George’s passion, dedication and contribution to skiing as the Proctor/ Blackwater Ski Area manager. Reservations can be made by calling the Mount Sunapee Resort at 603-763-3500. A reception starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Sunapee Lodge to be followed by dinner and the award presentation. The cost for the dinner is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Coat and tie or equivalent wear are requested.
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