Class of 2023
Innovator and Leader in West Virginia Snow Sports
Instructor, Competition Director, Ski Patrol
Mark Poore
Mark Poore has worked in the ski industry for over fifty years, thirty-eight of those years in the Mountain State, primarily Snowshoe and Silver Creek. His responsibilities began as an instructor at Rappahannock Ski Area in Washington, Virginia in 73-74. Mark then moved to Blue Knob at Claysburg, PA for the 75-76 season. He moved to Snowshoe for the 77-78 season. In the meantime (December 1974), he was Certified with the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance and GLM (Graduated Length Method), and PSIA Associate Certification in 1977-78. During Mark’s 38 years at Snowshoe, he did everything from being a server at the Stemwinder Steakhouse to serving as the Co-Director of the ski school to serving as Technical Director, and finally, Race Director and Ski Patrol. He had a stint, in 1984-87, as Ski School and Race Director at Silver Creek before returning to Snowshoe as a ski patroller in 1987. Mark assumed to role of Race Director at the Shoe from 1988 through 1997, after which he returned to Snowshoe Ski Patrol until his retirement in 2015.
After retiring from employment at Snowshoe, he and Alice headed to Idaho to live the dream of skiing western powder. He continued in snow sports part-time work as a ski instructor and ski patroller at Brundage Mountain Ski Area in McCall, Idaho. Mark contributed to Snowshoe Mountain’s reputation as a four-season resort as well. In addition to his snow sports career, Mark was an avid bicyclist growing up. He raced at the national level and ranked 7th Best All-Around Junior in the country in 1965 when he had several top 10 finishes. Mark started the Snowshoe Mountain Bike Program in 1990. His participation in the sport brought recognition to Snowshoe Mountain as he placed 3rd in the National Downhill Championships in 1993 (age 45 +) and 2nd in the 1995 Downhill Championships (45+). Was named to the 1997 National Team representing the US at the World Championships at Chateau-d'oex, Switzerland (3rd place in downhill and 15th in cross country for 50+). In 2011 and 2012 was 1st Place National Champion 60+ at Beech Mt. and in 2017 and 2018 was 1st place in National Downhill Championships 70+. It should be noted that without Mark’s notoriety and reputation, Snowshoe may have been overlooked when venues were considered to host the World Championships several times over the last few years.
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Also of note, Mark was awarded the NASTAR Coordinator of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Region 1987-88. Lastly, Mark was awarded the Bob and Anita Award in 2014 by the Alpine Festival Committee.