Introducing the 2023 First Tracks Award Recipient:

Tara Geraghty-Moats

After spending much of her life training and advocating for the inclusion of women in sport, in 2021, at age 28, Tara Geraghty-Moats of West Fairlee, Vermont won her first coveted World Cup globe and the Inaugural Women's World Cup Nordic Combined competition.

One of the original winter Olympic sports, Nordic Combined, which combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping, remained closed to women until the 2020/21 season. In the winter of 2018/19 in the first international Women's Continental Cup, the precursor to the women’s Nordic Combined World Cup, Geraghty-Moats won 10 of the 11 races.

Geraghty-Moats started competing at age 5 in freestyle events at Mad River Glen and through her youth raced cross-country and ski jumped.

In her teens she was a multi-time medalist in the Junior Nordic Nationals, Junior Ski Jumping Nationals, and was named to the USSA Visa Development Team. She went on to win the USA Junior Nationals and Swedish Junior Nationals for biathlon.

She went on to land a spot on the World Championship Team for jumping when she was 21. She missed the Pyeong Chang Olympics due to a broken arm. In 2019, besides winning the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in 2019, Geraghty-Moats went on to become the European Marathon Skiing Champion and was named to the World Cup Ski Jumping Team.

Tara recently joined the U.S. Biathlon Team and trains with the U.S. National Guard, where she completed basic training in 2023. She currently lives in an off-the-grid cabin in Albany, Vermont and trains in Craftsbury, Vermont.

Throughout her career, Tara has overcome injuries and consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible. Tara is known for her relentless work ethic and determination. She has been an advocate for women's inclusion in all aspects of skiing, striving to create equal opportunities for female athletes in a traditionally male-dominated discipline.  She was an athlete ambassador at the 2020 Olympic Junior Games and has been profiled by NBC Sports and other media for her advocacy work in pushing for gender parity in sports.

Tara continues to motivate others through her performances, sportsmanship, and unwavering dedication. She is a driving force in encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in any field they choose.

2023 Hall of Fame Inductees and Special Award Winners

Howard Buxton, leader in the evolution of Biathlon

John Egan, extreme skier and mentor

Tim & Diane Mueller, former owners of Okemo

Suzi Rueck, snowboarder and founder of Stratton's Green Mountain Series

David Goodman, Paul Robbins Journalism Award

Tara Geraghty-Moats, First Tracks Award

About the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame

Since 2002, Vermont Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame has recognized more than 75 people who have made history in snow sports in our state. Its purpose is to honor athletes, special contributors, and pioneers of Vermont skiing and riding who promoted and/or contributed to the sport of skiing and riding in Vermont; to document the histories of Inductees in the Museum's collection; and to recognize their accomplishments through the Induction Ceremony and the Hall of Fame exhibit. The Hall of Fame committee looks at candidates in three categories: Athletes, Pioneers, and Special Contributors. Learn more here.