Class of 2025
Educator • Ski Instructor • Race Team Leader • Founder of the Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia
Kim Williams
Kim Williams did not grow up skiing in West Virginia, but he helped ensure its snow sports history would never be forgotten.
Though fascinated by skiing as a child while watching it on television, Kim first clicked into skis while attending Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. What began as curiosity quickly became a lifelong passion.
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Growing the Sport Through Education
After college, Kim began his teaching career in Culpeper, Virginia. There, through Germanna Community College’s Learn to Ski program at Massanutten Resort, he and his wife, Monica, rediscovered the sport together.
That experience sparked something bigger. In 1987–88, Kim founded the Culpeper County High School Ski Club, organizing trips and expanding participation in Massanutten’s Learn to Ski program. Under his leadership, the Culpeper group became one
of the largest ski participation groups the resort hosted. From 1988 through 1994, he directed the program for Culpeper County, helping introduce hundreds of students and families to skiing. ​As his son became involved in competitive skiing, Kim shifted his focus to West Virginia.
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Instructor and Race Team Leader
While his son raced with the Snowshoe Ski Team from 1991 to 1993, Kim earned his PSIA Level I certification and began instructing. In 1994, the Williams family transitioned to Timberline Mountain, where Kim became deeply involved with the Canaan and Timberline Race Team.
Over eight years from 1994 to 2001, he:
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Served on the Ski Team Board
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Worked races as an official
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Organized the first SARA Championship races at Timberline
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Supported team travel, events, and community outreach
Kim later returned to ski instruction at Timberline from 2003 to 2018, during the first season of the new Timberline. During that time, he earned his PSIA Level II Alpine certification and Children’s Specialist Level I accreditation. He also instructed at Canaan Valley Resort and served as Ski School Director for one year.
Throughout his career, Kim balanced professionalism with mentorship, introducing new skiers to the sport while helping competitive athletes grow.
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Preserving West Virginia’s Snow Sports Legacy
An art teacher, museum enthusiast, and lifelong skier, Kim often spoke about the need for West Virginia to preserve its snow sports history. In 2018, that vision became reality.
After moving full-time to Canaan Valley, Kim convened a group of industry pioneers and community leaders at Deerfield Restaurant to discuss forming a state snow sports museum. The enthusiasm was immediate. Kim led the early meetings and guided the development of what would become the Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia.
Through fundraising, organization, and persistent leadership, the Museum opened its first physical location on William Avenue in Davis and later relocated to Canaan Valley. Kim has remained instrumental in sustaining the institution by building partnerships, cultivating donors, and ensuring the Museum reflects the collective history of West Virginia’s ski community.
Legacy
Kim Williams has dedicated decades to growing participation in skiing as a teacher, organizer, race team leader, instructor, and mentor. His most enduring contribution is creating a permanent home for West Virginia’s snow sports history.
Because of his vision and commitment, the stories of Canaan Valley, Timberline, Snowshoe, and the people who built them will continue to be told for generations.
Inducted into the Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership, service, and foundational role in preserving the state’s snow sports heritage.