Missy Young is an Oregon native and became a ski instructor at Hoodoo Ski Area at age 14 after completing the resort’s Mountain Cadet program, where she taught snowsports until she was 21. After attending and graduating from Oregon State on a full-ride scholarship from the Ford Family Foundation, she returned to her first love and got a job in lift operations at Mt. Hood Meadows. “Growing up around the ski area, I always thought lift ops were the coolest people,” she says. Within two months, Missy was promoted to supervisor, and in January 2023 she became assistant lift ops manager, despite being off-snow most of the season after a snowmobile accident left her with multiple injuries.

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Missy grew up somewhat transient until being adopted at age 15 and enjoys the opportunity to help when she can. Last season, she created a food pantry for staff in her department who needed a little extra; the program will return this season. “I think people who are naturally drawn to being a leader have more responsibility when we realize that we can make more impact than we ever could before,” she says. “As leaders, we have a huge responsibility.” Missy “consistently shows exceptional leadership qualities, cares about the well-being of others, and puts in hours of volunteer time to make a difference at our company and in our communities,” says one nominator. “She is consistently looking for ways to improve her department, the well-being of the lift ops team, and Mt. Hood Meadows as a whole,” says another.

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A self-professed “goal setter” with 5-, 10- and 15-year targets, Missy is passionate about the industry. She is excited to return to the WLHS SBT as an assistant coach after missing out on most of the 2021-22 and all of the 2022-23 seasons due to injuries.