Mountain Travel Symposium (MTS), an annual gathering of global mountain travel professionals, named Expedia Group and Taos Ski Valley as winners for the 2025 MTS Summit Award, Sponsored by United.
The winners were announced during the MTS Forum on Thursday, April 10. The Forum is a part of the week-long event being held in Snowmass, CO April 7-12, 2025. The award called for nominations of initiatives and programs that focused on corporate responsibility, aligning with United’s “Good Leads the Way” campaign. Nominations were received in the areas of charitable giving, sustainability, DEI, and more.
„At United, doing the right thing for the people, the planet, and the communities we serve is at the heart of everything we do,” says Brian Roth, Director Regional Sales – United Airlines. “We’re proud to sponsor the Summit Award once again, and to celebrate organizations that are driving meaningful change and making a lasting impact.”
Expedia Group won for its Made to Travel™ Fund. This initiative is designed to address the systemic barriers that prevent underserved and underrepresented communities from experiencing the benefits of travel. By providing targeted grants to mission-driven organizations, the Fund empowers those who face economic, social, and cultural obstacles, ensuring that travel becomes a more inclusive and enriching experience for all. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to organizations dedicated to breaking down travel barriers. Now in its third year, the program continues to expand its reach, providing crucial financial resources to nonprofits that align with its mission.
“Expedia’s Made to Travel™ Fund exemplifies our belief that travel is a force for good with the goal of breaking down barriers, so all can experience the joy it brings,” said Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President, Global Social Impact & Sustainability, Expedia Group. “By partnering with organizations like Mountain Travel Symposium, we champion the transformative power of travel, as we know it takes collective action across the industry to drive meaningful change. This initiative aligns with our commitments and supporting travel being accessible for all.”
Taos Ski Valley was also named a winner for its Uplift Youth Fund, which will initially provide $100,000 to organizations serving Taos through youth-focused projects. The Uplift Youth Fund is designed to support youth projects through innovation and community-led solutions. The Uplift Youth Fund focuses on four key pillars aligned with the resort’s Community Pledge: outdoor equity and youth programming, environmental stewardship, economic and workforce development, and connection to community.
“Taos Ski Valley is honored to receive the MTS Summit Award for our Uplift Youth Fund,” said Dawn Boulware, Vice President of Environmental and Social Responsibility, Taos Ski Valley. “It is important and rewarding to fund opportunities for Taos-area youth to connect with the outdoors, build skills, and foster a sense of community which helps build a strong foundation for generations to come.”
Winners were not only announced and awarded on stage, but they were given the opportunity to share their initiatives with the MTS audience. “The goal is not only to award these companies doing great things, but to educate the industry on what’s possible when businesses put people and their communities first,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, Executive Vice President, Global Events, Northstar Travel Group. “The Summit Award provides a platform to spread the word and inspire others to do good.”
Past winners of the MTS Summit Award include, Berkshire East Mountain Resort, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental, Steamboat Ski Resort, and Vail Resorts.
To read about the other 2025 Summit Award nominations, www.mtntrvl.com/summit-award. Nominations for 2026 will open in the fall of 2025.
Next year, Mountain Travel Symposium will be held in Whistler, BC, Canada, April 13-18, 2026. For more information about the event, visit www.mtntrvl.com.
