Ski Hall of Fame announces honors
The six to be inducted are: Sven Wiik, Wendell Broomhall, Paul Leimkuehler, Olav Ulland, Bunny Bertram and John Jay.
Wiik is a veteran nordic competitor and coach who operates a successful touring operation in Colorado. Broomhall is another great nordic competitor from Maine. Bunny Bertram made his mark as the long-time operator of Suicide Six in Woodstock, Vt., and a pioneer in the field. John Jay is synonymous with ski movies.
Copper Mountain sold to Apex Recreation
All of the stock of the fast-growing, nine-year-old Colorado resort of Copper Mountain has been purchased by a privately held St. Louis company, Apex Recreation, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex Oil Co., which is engaged in the marketing and transporting of oil.
Charles D. Lewis, who remains the chief operating officer of Copper, stated that, “Mountain utilization and real estate development will be increased by continuing to develop Copper as a multi-season resort. Apex will assist in expediting the growth of the area, both on the mountain and in the village, in line with current master plans.”
According to Lewis, plans are well advanced for the construction in 1981 of a 51-unit condominium complex, including commercial space and a convention facility, to be located in the village core area. In addition, “K” and “L” chairlifts, together with a restaurant faciltiy, are slated for construction next summer in an area to the west of the existing development. The area will open up additional beginner and intermediate ski terrain.
Also, the Copper Mountain Metropolitan District has recently opened bids for construction in 1981 of the second nine holes of the golf course.
According to Dick Ruecker, Apex spokesman, Apex Recreation was formed specifically for the deal, and the company is not looking at any other purchases or ways to move into the recreation or leisure field.
“Our people have skied Copper,” says Ruecker. “We know people who own condominiums out there and we just felt it was a good investment for the company. Chuck Lewis has put together a well-planned resort, and we think there is some excellent potential for Copper. It was strictly an investment. We’re not planning anything else.”
European trade show dates are set
On the international trade show front, dates have been set for the biennial Intermontec at Munich, Germany: September 17-20, 1981. It will be held this year in conjunction with the 5th International Congress of Transportation by Rope (OITAF), at which a number of Americans will be among the world gathering of experts to read technical papers.
Exhibit reservations have a deadline of March 31, and should be addressed to Intermontec, Munchener Messe, Postfach 12-10-09, D-8000 Munich 12, West Germany.
Intermontec, which is described as being for “equipment for alpine sports, leisure exhibits and tourism,” combines multi-lingual conferences on broad subjects of concern to operators of mountain resorts, with commercial exhibits of all forms of equipment used to run them. It is held in the huge Munich Fair Grounds.
Interalpin, which alternates with Intermontec and is held in the Convention Center of Innsbruck, Austria, played host this past October to over 2,000 visitors from ski areas in 21 countries. Luggi Foeger from California won the third prize in the long distance award, which was won by a delegation from Japan. The next Interalpin will take place in October 1982, and information on it can be obtained from Kongresshaus Innsbruck, Rennweg 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Another 1982 European trade fixture is the mountain trade show SAM (Salon de l’amenagement en montagne) held biennially in Grenoble, France. The 1982 dates have been set as April 21-25. Information is from Alpexpo, 38029 Grenoble Cedex, France.
Over-snow vehicles to compete in French tests
From March 16 to March 20 in Flaine, France, over-snow vehicles from most major manufacturers will compete in “trials, exhibitions and special competitions related to the main capabilities and performances of over-snow vehicles.” The event, called CIMEPS 81 (Concours International de Materiel d’Entretien de Pistes de Ski) is jointly sponsored by Flaine resort, the French Ministry of Tourism, the French Ski Areas Operators and the Salon de l’Amenagement en Montagne (SAM).
Three categories of vehicles have been established, based on horsepower delivered at sealevel. The tests will involve such things as mogul cutting, track removal (changing a front wheel and re-tracking with two people), comfort, visibility, interior noise etc. Both Alpine and Nordic slope care will be tested.
In connection with the vehicle trials there will be conferences on all aspects of the economics of over-snow vehicle operations. The organizers are encouraging attendance by ski area personnel from North America. For more information contact Mr. Jean Hirigoyen, President ASSF, 89 Avenue Jean Perrot, 38000 Grenoble, France. If there is sufficient interest, an attempt will be made to get reduced group air fares.
Winter Park creates new competition center
There is a whole new concept in ski racing, according to Otto Tschudi, director of skiing at Colorado’s Winter Park, and it involves all classes of skiers—the beginners, intermediates and advanced—anyone wanting to perfect their skiing techniques.
Under the umbrella of the Winter Park Competition Center, a variety of racing clinics and camps will be held this year, covering everything from NASTAR competitors, juniors, veterans, and on up to professionals.
The Competition Center also incorporates a comprehensive freestyle training program, a cross-country program, the long-established jumping program and also racing for the handicapped skier.
The whole competition program is under the direction of Jamie Klein, with Laurie Mooney handling the freestyle, Alan Johnson the cross-country and Fred Tassone the handicap sector.
The Alpine race programs include race clinics taught by ex-pro racer Otto Tschudi, and programs for the 13-and-unders and for the 14-and-overs. Cost to participants for use of the facilities (gates, permanent bumps etc.) and coaching varies with the program, but average about $16 per day, not including the cost of lift tickets.
Presstime News
White Christmas: It was a white Christmas for the White House this year as Sepp Gmuender of Ski Roundtop made a big pile of presidential snow to the delight of the first family and staff. President Carter did some 6 a.m. touring instead of his jog, while Amy and Jody staged a snowball fight.
Trapp Lodge burns: The main building of the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT. burned to the ground just four days before Christmas. At presstime it was not known when the well-known touring center operated by the Trapp family of “Sound of Music” fame would be able to reopen.
Des Roches to retire from SIA; Ingemie to succeed
Ralph (Doc) Des Roches will retire on October 1, 1980 as Executive Vice President of Ski Industries America after more than 18 years at the helm of that trade association. The SIA Board announced simultaneously that Marketing Director David Ingemie will succeed him, assisted by Doc’s son, Alex, who has been appointed Trade Show Manager.
Des Roches started his ski industry career at a ski area, Laurel Mt. Slopes, Pa., where he went in 1945 after 10th Mountain Division duty in World War II. He first ran the ski school and ski shop at Laurel, and later became president of the operation.
Long active in all aspects of the ski world—amateur, professional and commercial; national and international—he likes to point to his charter memberships in both NSAA and PSIA, as well as his membership in USSA since 1934.
Among the many awards and honors that mark his career is USSA’s highest award, the Julius P. Blegen Award, and also induction into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1977 for “devoted services to the sport of skiing in North America.”
He is also famed as a fund-raiser for the U.S. Ski Team, and in recognition of his efforts was appointed an honorary member of the team in 1978, and permanent honorary chairman of the U.S. Ski Team Fund.
Des Roches plans to return to his native Maine “to catch up on my fishing and skiing.”
NSAA alert on Safety Commission
NSAA has alerted its members to the interest being shown by the federally constituted Consumer Product Safety Commission in tramway operations. In its special bulletin, NSAA states that, “The entire question of the authority or jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission in pre-or-post-accident investigation of aerial tramway or lift-type transportation is now under scrutiny by the Federal Courts of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit (far west states) and the Fifth Circuit (principally southern states). There is presently a difference of opinion within the Federal Courts system . . . as to the nature and extent of the . . . (Commission’s) authority to concern itself with the operation of aerial passenger conveyances at all.”
NSAA requests that they be notified immediately if any inquiries are made by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Historic lift ends service at Pico
An historic era came to an end this year with the replacement of the Little Pico T-bar by a Hall triple chair at Pico Ski Area near Rutland, VT.
The old T-bar was brought over from Switzerland and installed in the fall of 1940 by Janet and Brad Mead, founders of Pico. It served the racing slopes of the area, which were the training grounds for many great skiers, including the Mead’s daughter, Olympic champion Andrea Mead.
The lift was powered by a 130hp, 6-cylinder industrial engine, and boasted a capacity of 600/hr on its 2,330-ft length and 644-ft vertical. That was the highest lift capacity in the world at the time.
PEOPLE
Roberta Knorr is new Ski School Director at Jack Frost Mountain in Pennsylvania. She has been with the school since that area’s first year in 1972. . . Another top distaff appointment at Vermont’s Jay Peak where Carrie L. Domin has been appointed Ski School Director. She brings extensive experience in tracking, racing and coaching to the job. Also at Jay, John P. Pavone is new Food/Beverage Manager. . . Bob Beattie installed as 14th inductee in the Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl Hall of Fame. . . At Heavenly Valley, James E. Lawrence was appointed Director of Ski Patrol. Also at Heavenly, Howard V. Gibson, Jr. is new Personnel Director. . . Richard Taylor has joined Copper Mountain as Skier Services’ Sports Programs Director. . .The new Retail Manager at Mount Snow is Paul Mello . . . Maurice A. LaRoche is the new Ski School Director at Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire. He has been at Wildcat as a ski instructor for six years . . . At Bluewood in Washington, Matt Drescher has been oppointed Operations Manager. Also appointed at Bluewood are Don Harting as Facilities Manager and Walt Charner as Ski School Director.
Suppliers
Snap-Tite hose
The snowmaking hose marketed by Parsch, Inc. is now marketed by Snap-Tite Hose, Inc., of Union City, Pa. Management remains the same.
The name change reflects the fact that Snap-Tite purchased the German interest that was involved in the original 50/50 joint venture between Snap-Tite, a manufacturer of fluid power components, and Franz A. Parsch, a West German hose manufacturer.
Dolomite appoints Lewis
Bob Blenis, president of Dolomite Construction Co., has appointed Paul Lewis as sales representative with special responsibility for snow maintenance and grooming equipment, including Pisten-Bully, which is handled by Dolomite for the Atlantic and southern states.
Dolomite also is active in lift installation and sales and service of wire rope and splicing, gearboxes and speed reducers. The firm’s new headquarters are in Glenwood Road, Pine Island, N.Y. 10969.
Snowmaster expands
Snowmaster Inc., of Harrisonburg, Va., has contracted with Power Trading Co. of Tokyo to assemble and distribute track-mounted mobile air and airless Snowmaster snowmaking units especially developed for the Japanese market.
Snowmaster president Samuel L. Burns, Jr. has also announced the appointment of Track, Inc., of Bloomington, MN to handle Snowmaster sales and service in the central and midwestern ski regions.
Davis named president of DMC Logan Division
Ernest G. (Gus) Davis has joined De Lorean Manufacturing Company as vice president of the parent organization and president of the Logan Division which manufactures the over-snow vehicles and grooming equipment.
The announcement was made by John Z. De Lorean, to whom Mr. Davis will report.
Prior to joining DMC, Davis served as president of AMF Harley-Davidson. Prior to that he served in top management position with Rockwell International’s Tool Group and also Colt Industries’ Holley Carburetor Division. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from General Motors Institute and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
