March 03, 2016 – CCSAA announced during the SIA Show the retirement of executive director, Chris Frado, effective October 7, 2016 after 30 years with the organization. Chris has been at the helm of CCSAA since August 1986 when she was recruited away from corporate America for the position. “Chris has served CCSAA for so long that she absolutely defines the organization as we know it today. With her spirit and energy she has built CCSAA into an international cross country ski information center. We are so sad to see her go,” says JoJo Toeppner, chairman of the CCSAA Board and director of skiing for Royal Gorge, California.

Chris, and her late husband John Frado were involved in the initial growth of the cross-country ski industry going back to the early 70’s when the sport became commercialized and adopted by the American public. She was in on the creation and development of each of the professional organizations for Nordic skiing; ski instruction, ski patrol, and ski area operations by serving on committees, editing newsletters, and producing brochures.

Chris was the seventh Nordic patroller to earn the rank of Senior Patroller thus designated #007 by the National Ski Patrol. Given this was back when the testing, out of necessity, was done on an alpine ski hill while on Nordic gear, Chris feels the 007 designation is well-deserved for someone who exclusively skis cross country and had never downhill skied. She patrolled for 12 years at Northfield Mountain in Massachusetts, was a certified ski instructor for 7 years, managed the ski shop at two Massachusetts Nordic centers, and has taught ski joring clinics for those interested in cross-country skiing with their dogs.

As one of the earliest certified Nordic ski instructors, Frado has the unenviable distinction of being the first Nordic ski instructor to be sued. The suit, claiming the plaintiff was “too old and too fat to cross country ski”, was dropped once the claimant’s attorney received a copy of her certification standards and Instructor’s Manual supporting her affidavit.

During her tenure at Cross Country Ski Areas Association, Chris has shepherded the organization through: IRS determination as a tax-exempt entity; a backlog of tax returns and employer compliance requirements; standardization for reporting cross country ski conditions; expansion of a trail sign product line;and negotiated a comprehensive and competitive liability insurance plan for xc ski areas. Chris sat at corporate headquarters with national sponsors detailing the benefits of product alignment with cross country skiing and together with Mike Dunne forged an unprecedented 16 year sampling program for Nature Valley Granola Bars at member ski centers in the U.S.

Chris has always enthusiastically embraced the CCSAA membership on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border and is fond of saying, “I work for the finest people on the planet who are so genuine, honest, down-to-earth, and want to help others enjoy themselves. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to work for Cross Country Ski Areas Association.” The membership has grown under Frado’s leadership and today represents 248 member businesses in the cross country ski industry (170 Nordic centers, 34 vendors, and 31 retailers & organizations).

Chris will be succeeded by Reese Brown who is currently Nordic Director for SnowSports Industries America-SIA and an elected representative to the CCSAA Board of Directors. Says Frado, “I couldn’t be happier to have Reese as my successor. It’s been great having him on the CCSAA Board. His energy is wonderful. His connections far-reaching. And his personality is so well suited to membership services. CCSAA will be in good hands with Reese!” JoJo Toeppner, CCSAA Board chairman agrees saying, ” Luckily we have a great person to come in and continue the progress CCSAA is making for the industry. Reese Brown is already learning the systems so the transfer of leadership will be seamless.”

Brown has been working with the ski industry since the 80’s and this winter in preparation for the CCSAA position, he picked up part-time work as a groomer at Woodstock Inn & Resort Nordic Center in Vermont. “I am honored to succeed Chris Frado as Executive Director of CCSAA. Having been on the CCSAA Board for the past two years, I have an intimate understanding of the organization and its operational challenges. I look forward to continuing the efforts begun over the last few years. Bridging between SIA and CCSAA will provide great synergies that will allow me to advance both organizations in ways that will greatly enhance the Nordic community.”

Come October when the transition is complete, Chris will put her efforts into being an Independent Brand Partner for Nerium International and training her German Shepherd Dogs for dog agility competitions. During retirement Chris may actually have time to take up the CCSAA membership on their many offers to come visit and ski.

CCSAA Mission Statement
Cross Country Ski Areas Association is a non-profit organization representing member ski service providers. The Association’s purpose is to promote the growth and improve the quality of cross country ski operations in North America. For more information click here.