Congratulations to the Maine Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame Class '25
Carrabassett Valley Academy extends heartfelt congratulations to the Maine Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2025 — and special recognition to three remarkable members of the CVA community whose lifelong dedication, leadership, and passion have shaped skiing and snowboarding in Maine and beyond.
We are deeply grateful for their lasting contributions to our mountain community and to the generations of athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts they continue to inspire.
Laurel Lashar
Laurel Lashar
For decades, Laurel Lashar has been at the heart of Sugarloaf’s race operations, playing an essential role in hosting countless high-level competitions—from U.S. National Championships to FIS and Can-Am races. Known for her precision, professionalism, and deep love of ski racing, Laurel has earned immense respect across the industry.
Beyond her technical expertise as Chief of Timing and Race Administrator, Laurel has been a driving force within the Maine Alpine Race Association, serving as administrator and Eastern Alpine Committee representative. Her leadership, reliability, and devotion to athletes and volunteers alike have elevated the entire Maine racing community.
A lifelong skier, Laurel began her journey at Johnson College in Vermont—where she helped pioneer the women’s ski team—and she proudly follows in the footsteps of her father, Doc DesRoches, making them the first father–daughter pair to be inducted into the Maine Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.
Cathy Witherspoon
For more than three decades, Cathy Witherspoon has been a guiding force in the Maine ski and snowboard industry and a beloved mentor across Boyne Resorts, Sunday River, and Sugarloaf. Known for her quiet leadership, deep compassion, and commitment to professional excellence, Cathy has shaped not just programs, but people.
As a leader of both the Sunday River and Sugarloaf Snow Sports Schools, Cathy dedicated her career to bringing new families into the sport and nurturing the next generation of instructors and industry professionals. Her leadership philosophy—Kindness, Respect, and Professionalism (KRP)—became a cornerstone of Boyne’s culture and leadership training programs.
Cathy’s impact extends far beyond her professional accomplishments. She has been a mentor, role model, and advocate for women in the ski industry, fostering growth and confidence in those around her.
Butch Reilly
Few have influenced the business and culture of skiing in Maine as profoundly as Butch Reilly. A lifelong skier and visionary sales leader, Butch helped bring world-class ski apparel and equipment to New England, representing iconic brands such as Rosemount, Hexcel, CB Sports, and Rossignol.
As a founding member of New England Sports Representatives, Inc., he helped establish one of the most important regional trade shows in the ski industry. His career was marked not only by his success in business but also by his generosity—donating hundreds of jackets and ski pants to Maine children, ensuring that financial barriers would never keep them from the slopes.
Butch was also an early supporter of what would become Carrabassett Valley Academy, helping to launch the Sugarloaf Tutorial Program that laid the foundation for CVA’s future. His lifelong enthusiasm for Sugarloaf, skiing, and community has inspired generations of skiers to follow in his tracks.
From timing races in the snow to outfitting young skiers or shaping the culture of entire resorts, Laurel, Cathy, and Butch have each left an indelible mark on Maine’s ski history—and on the Carrabassett Valley community. We congratulate these exceptional individuals on their induction into the Maine Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2025 and thank them for their enduring contributions to our sport, our mountain, and our CVA family.
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Laurel Lashar
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Cathy Witherspoon
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Butch Reilly
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