Gary Black Jr., former Waitsfield resident and publisher of Waitsfield-based Ski Racing Magazine, will be honored with the Paul Robbins award by the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe when that organization inducts this year’s class into its Hall of Fame.
Black, (1941-2917) was a journalist and ski industry leader who helped shape the global narrative of alpine ski racing from his home base in Vermont. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Black began his publishing career at The Baltimore Sun, his family’s newspaper. In 1984, driven by a lifelong love for skiing and adventure, he purchased Ski Racing Magazine and relocated to Waitsfield, Vermont.
Ski and snowboard museum advocates wrote that, “In Vermont, Black transformed Ski Racing from a modest publication into the definitive voice of international ski competition. From the Mad River Valley, he and his editorial team delivered in-depth, timely coverage of World Cup events and rising ski talent, while his own Black Diamonds column became a respected platform for critical commentary and advocacy within the sport. Under his leadership, Ski Racing evolved from a newspaper into a leading digital outlet that brought the excitement and complexities of ski racing to a global audience.
“Black’s Vermont years were professionally productive and personally meaningful. He became deeply embedded in the state’s ski community and remained a fierce advocate for the sport’s future, both globally and locally. He played a vital role in mentoring young journalists and championed causes that preserved the integrity and accessibility of competitive skiing.
“His Vermont roots had a profound role on his impact, he served for nearly 20 years on the International Ski Federation’s PR and Mass Media Committee, and later on the FIS Alpine World Cup Committee. He also supported U.S. skiing at the national level as a longtime trustee of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Foundation.
“Gary Black’s contributions were recognized with the highest honors in the field, including the Julius Blegen Award, the FIS Journalist Award, lifetime achievement recognition from the International Skiing History Association, and in 2023 he was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
“He is remembered not only for his journalistic achievements but also for his deep love of the outdoors, his commitment to the next generation of skiers, and his enduring belief in the power of storytelling to shape the future of sport.”
