Seven Springs Mountain Resort has been named the winner of Ski Area Management Magazine’s 2026 I AM a Snowmaker contest, a fan-voted competition that recognizes snowmaking teams across North America. The result is a notable one for Mid-Atlantic skiing, where winter operations often hinge on short temperature windows and intensive snowmaking.

Six resorts were nominated for this year’s contest and asked to produce a behind-the-scenes video highlighting their snowmaking crews while incorporating classic insights attributed to Herman K. Dupré, an early snowmaking innovator closely tied to Seven Springs and the origins of what became HKD Snowmakers. The winner was determined through public voting.

Early morning snowmaking at Seven Springs. Photo provided by Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

Seven Springs’ win also connects directly to the resort’s own history. The mountain traces its roots to the early 1930s, when Adolph and Helen Dupré helped establish the resort. Their son, Herman K. Dupré, later developed snowmaking technology at Seven Springs that influenced the industry and helped form the foundation for HKD’s approach to making snow—an especially fitting thread given HKD’s role as contest sponsor.

“This recognition is a testament to the incredible people behind winter at Seven Springs,” said Brett Cook, vice president and general manager for Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain. “Our snowmaking team carries a legacy that began here decades ago, and they continue to raise the bar every season. Thank you to everyone who voted and showed their support — we’re proud, grateful, and honored.”

DCSki previously reported on Seven Springs’ selection as a finalist in the 2026 contest. The win puts a Mid-Atlantic snowmaking crew at the top of a national field and offers a rare moment where a regional ski area — best known for managing marginal conditions — takes center stage in an industry-wide recognition program.