From the warm waters of the Old Town Hot Springs to the frozen snow of the Steamboat Resort, Nancy Gray has left her humble impression on the community she has loved her entire life.

“I think that’s what Hazie was — she was Steamboat, and I think that is what the award is all about,” Gray said earlier this week. “It’s about somebody who quietly just keeps on moving, and welcoming people and being Steamboat … It’s such an honor to be in a group of women that have been noticed for their caring and giving to our community.”

Gray was born and raised in Steamboat Springs, and after leaving briefly to attend the University of Colorado, she returned to the Yampa Valley to embark on a 53-year career at the resort that she says never felt like work. She held a variety of roles, but found her biggest joy as a ski instructor.

“I think I’m on three generations in some of my families that I’ve worked with at the ski area,” Gray said. “Those aren’t people that live here, but they’re people who visit, and some of them have moved here because they loved it so much. It’s been a gift to me to have so many nice people and to get to work with generations.”

In the community, Gray has been a board member for Tread of Pioneers Museum where she successfully raised funds to add the Gloria Gossard addition enabling collections and artifacts to be safer and easier to keep for later generations. She also helped organize the Festival of Trees for years.

“I’ve worked on a museum board, and I’ve done the Festival of Trees as well,” said Gray, who was on the board for six years. “The museum is really important to me because I think it’s important to keep our history and to share what we have with others.”

Gray also supports the legacy of her late brother Jim “Moose” Barrows (April 25, 1944-June 28, 2024) by carrying on The Moose’s Loose Golf Tournament and Mickey’s Fund.

She has also contributed to other community groups like the Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church Compassion Group, Professional Ski Instructors of America and Old Town Hot Springs, where she was the swim lessons coordinator helping Steamboat Springs children learn to swim and be safe around water. In that position, she was also a mentor to numerous young adults in their first job experience.

Her ties to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club go back to her childhood where she learned to ski as part of one of Steamboat’s longest running traditions.

“I’ve been a part of the Winter Sports Club my whole life, since I was a kid,” said Gray, who has continued to support the club as an adult overseeing parts of the Winter Carnival. “Probably the two gems of Steamboat Springs are Howelsen Hill and the pool. Being able to be a part of both of those unique landmarks to our community has been really valuable to me.”

In addition to the Hazie Werner Award, Steamboat Resort will present two Snowball Community Grants. Routt County Crisis Support and Partners for Youth will both receive a $10,000 donation to continue the meaningful work they do in the Steamboat Springs community.

Gray said she was humbled and honored to learn that she has been selected as the 2025 Hazie Werner Award winner.

“Hazie’s life represented true grace,” Gray said. “She never seemed to feel as though she deserved anything but always treated people as though they deserved all her attention. She worked hard, but she always took time for you. She was welcoming, kind and humble.”