Photo: Mary Lee
Mary Lee is a pioneer of the Central Otago snow sports scene. She and her husband John Lee founded the Cardrona ski area in 1981, as well as Snow Farm - New Zealand's only dedicated cross-country skifield.
After establishing the Merino Muster, the country's biggest cross-country ski race, she played a key role in convincing the European ski heavyweights to accept New Zealand in the Worldloppet Ski Federation.
Mary Lee has been named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit - an award her husband John also received in 2016.
You'll still find her hitting the slopes around four times a week this winter.
