Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort has recently garnered national recognition for their Learn to Ski/Snowboard Freedom Pass program. This week Mission Ridge representatives will be attending the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) conference in Nashville, TN where they are one of only three finalists for the nationwide Conversion Cup award. The award is given out annually to the ski resort that develops the best product or program geared at attracting newcomers to the sports of skiing and snowboarding and providing them with the opportunity to truly become a “skier” or “snowboarder”.Mission Ridge’s Freedom Pass program, new for the 2015/16 season, provided unlimited beginner lessons, gear rentals, and beginner terrain access for the entire season for just $129. The Freedom Pass program helped Mission Ridge’s Ski School set an all time record for lessons taught in a single season. In total, the program provided almost one thousand individuals the opportunity to transition from never having skied or snowboarded to feeling confident in their abilities and excited to explore the more of the mountain and their skills.“To be one of three finalist out of every ski area in the country is a tremendous honor and really speaks to our staffs dedication and willingness to go the extra mile to share the love we have for skiing and snowboarding with our guests,” said Tony Hickok Mission Ridge’s Marketing Director. “Being nominated for such an award is an awesome team win for Mission Ridge. It takes everyone giving their all to make a program like the Freedom Pass successful for new skiers and riders. It really shows what an amazing staff we have here,” continued Hickok. The award recipient will be announced Friday night and rounding out a dominant central Washington presence will be representatives from Stevens Pass Resort who have also been nominated for the award. “There is no better place in the country right now to learn to ski and snowboard,” Hickok commented.The Mission Ridge Ski Area is located in North Central Washington, 12 miles south of Wenatchee. The resort’s winter operations typically run from early December through early April. Summer operations center around the Base Area facilities for meetings, weddings and receptions. The ski area operates in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. More information about conditions and the resort is available at www.missionridge.com