Class of 2025
Ski Shop Owner • Industry Ambassador • Champion of West Virginia Snowsports
Ron Newman
For more than four decades, Ron Newan has been one of the most recognizable and trusted figures in West Virginia’s skiing and snowboarding community.
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In 1978, Ron entered the outdoor retail business with Four Season Sports Shop in Barboursville. Recognizing that winter sports were where his passion and expertise belonged, he refocused the business and, in 1981, renamed it Ski Loft. The store has operated under that name ever since.
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​Ski Loft has remained a family-run operation from the beginning, first alongside Ron’s sister and wife, and today with his son. At a time when West Virginia once supported more than 20 ski shops statewide and now only a handful remain, Ski Loft stands as one of the enduring pillars of the state’s snow sports retail community.
A Trusted Resource for Generations
Ron has skied at every resort in West Virginia and has witnessed the industry’s challenges and growth firsthand. Through economic downturns, lean winters, and revival years, he has remained a steady presence.
Thousands of skiers and snowboarders have walked through the doors of Ski Loft seeking equipment, advice, and encouragement. Ron’s expertise extends beyond gear selection. Customers often leave with recommendations about where to ski, trail conditions, and stories about the evolution of winter sports in the Mountain State.
At 82 years old, Ron can still be found in the store, welcoming customers and sharing his knowledge. Even those not shopping often stop in simply to talk skiing. That ongoing connection has made Ski Loft more than a retail shop. It is a gathering place for the regional ski community.
Legacy
The health of any ski industry depends not only on resorts, instructors, race teams, and volunteers, but also on ambassadors who introduce newcomers to the sport and equip them for success. For over 40 years, Ron Newan has served in that role for West Virginia.
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Through personal service, industry knowledge, and unwavering dedication to winter sports, he has helped ensure that generations of skiers and snowboarders were properly outfitted and inspired to enjoy the mountains.
Inducted into the Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia Hall of Fame in recognition of his decades of service, leadership, and lasting contribution to snowsports in the Mountain State.