Kelowna, B.C: Big White Ski Resort Ltd. and Silver Star Ski Resort Ltd. are pleased to announce that Mr. Jim Loyd, Director of Sales for Big White Ski Resort and Silver Star Mountain Resort, was awarded the prestigious Bill Mackey Award for Outstanding Service to the Skiing Public at the recent Far West Ski Association Convention in Portland, Oregon.

Mr. Jim Loyd commenced his career at Big White Ski Resort as a ski instructor in 1975. He was actively involved with the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance, and became a Level 4 senior examiner, Technical Committee member, and demonstrator on Canada's 1987 Interski Team. Jim was Big White Ski Resort's Director of Skiing from 1985-1996, when he then took on his present role of Director of Sales, which now includes Silver Star Mountain Resort. Jim has been very active in promoting ski holidays and coordinating ski trips in the USA and especially with the Far West Ski Association, it's member clubs and councils. Jim and his team most recently won the bid to host the L.A. Ski Council, a group of 300 from the L.A. area. This was the first Council trip ever to take place in the interior of British Columbia.

"It was absolutely fantastic to witness this presentation in person, as none of us had any idea this prestigious industry award was to be presented to Jim at the Saturday night banquet attended by over 1200 industry peers and Far West Club Members," commented Michael J. Ballingall, Vice President Big White and Silver Star Resorts. "Jim literally fell off his chair in astonishment. It's a tribute to he and his team, and their commitment to go above and beyond for their clients and their club members,� continued Ballingall.

This prominent award in Bill Mackey's honor is presented at Far West's annual convention, for a high level and exceptional customer service to skiers by a ski industry or area employee. Bill Mackey was an experienced skier, competitive ski racer and a professional ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, whose promising career came to an abrupt end when he met with a tragic non-skiing accident in the autumn of 1970.

For more information, please contact Michael J. Ballingall, Vice President, Big White Ski Resort, on (250) 765-3101 or email michaelj@bigwhite.com