Skiing Heritage News

The Colorado Ski Museum, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame is pleased to announce our class of 2005 inductees. They are Lou Dawson, Dick Eflin, George Gillett, Dick Hauserman, and Ed Lucks. These five special individuals have all left their unique mark on Colorado's rich skiing history.

Lou Dawson - One of the world's foremost experts on ski mountaineering, Lou Dawson has been an inspiration and guiding light in backcountry skiing. On May 9, 1991, upon descending Kit Carson Peak, Lou became the only person to ski all 54 of Colorado's Fourteeners, a feat yet to be matched. Not only an accomplished backcountry skier but an author as well, Lou has dedicated his life to helping others enjoy Colorado's wilderness. His titles include Colorado High Routes, Colorado 10th Mountain Trails, Dawson's Guide to Colorado Backcountry Skiing, Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners, Wild Snow, and Trooper Traverse. This body of literature has helped ski enthusiasts to enjoy the backcountry and to be safe there as well. Lou has also helped to refine and develop ski mountaineering gear over the years, utilizing his experience to make equipment safer and more effective. He has contributed to numerous issues of Couloir and Climbing magazines, sharing not only his passion, but his expertise, with others. The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame welcomes this conqueror of mountains.

Dick Eflin - On a trip to Colorado in 1949, Dick Eflin caught the ski bug. A small mining town and the Colorado ski industry would never be the same. While stationed in Germany with the US Air Force, Dick's passion for skiing would grow and his dream was born. Dick met a friend who informed him of the perfect place to start a ski area in Colorado, one that could rival the Alps in both beauty and skiing terrain: a small mining town called Crested Butte. On returning from Europe, Dick headed to Colorado to scout out the possibility of starting his own ski area. In 1960 he moved his family to Crested Butte, formed Crested Butte, Ltd., and began the process of applying for Forest Service permits and buying land. That winter Dick hiked and skied the mountain, doing the necessary snow reports to satisfy the Forest Service. In 1961 the dream became a reality and Crested Butte Mountain opened on Thanksgiving Day, with a T-bar and a rope tow. The next year saw tremendous growth, with the installation of a 7,800 ft. long gondola and a terminal building, putting Crested Butte on the map as an up-and-coming ski area. Dick also played an active role in the local community, serving as president of the Mt. Crested Butte Water & Sanitation District, and on the Town Council. He started the first regional museum. He ran the Princess Movie Theater and the Eflin Steak House. Dick's vision and determination to transform Crested Butte into one of Colorado's premier ski destinations will be his lasting legacy.

George Gillett - When George Gillett bought Vail & Beaver Creek Resorts in 1985, a new era for the Colorado ski industry began. With his pioneering focus on customer service, George redefined the ski experience and what it meant to be a world class resort. You were just as likely to see George riding the chairlifts and greeting guests as you were to catch him in the board room. George launched a massive installation of high-speed detachable chairlifts at Vail, kick-starting the growth that would put Vail on the map as America's number one ski destination. George also supported major alpine ski events at a time when most ski areas in American declined to host international races. Through his dedication and hard work, Vail hosted the 1989 World Alpine Ski Championships, proving to the world that Colorado could host major international ski races. Through his support, Vail once again hosted the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championships. George is still active in the ski community, running Booth Creek Ski Holdings and managing resorts throughout North America. In 1999 Ski magazine voted George as one of the "100 Most Influential Skiers of All Time." George Gillett's innovative thinking and passion for redefining the ski industry have left a lasting mark on Colorado's skiing community.

Dick Hauserman - Dick's enthusiasm and love of skiing is best captured in his never ending efforts to promote Colorado's ski areas. One of Vail's founding fathers, Dick also helped to create Steamboat's ski image as well. Dick was on Vail's first board of directors and was one of the primary developers of Vail, serving on the town architecture committee. He worked on the Lodge at Vail, the Hill Building, and also built the Plaza Building. In order for Vail to blossom into a world class ski destination, Dick realized, the resort would need an image. He created Vail's logo, which is still in use today, and helped to design the signature ski school parka. Dick also brought world famous ski racer Pepi Gramshammer from Sun Valley to work in the ski school. A born salesman, Dick served in the marketing department and played a vital role in promoting the fledgling resort. In 1969 Dick lent his talents to help promote the Steamboat Ski Area. He widened the trails, created the Steamboat Springs logo, and brought Billy Kidd on board as the resort's spokesperson. In a testament to Dick's passion for promotion, he has written two books: Inventors of Vail, and On the Road to Vail and Beyond. Because of Dick's ceaseless work to put Colorado skiing on the map, we are pleased to honor him with induction into the Hall of Fame.

Ed Lucks - Ed Lucks' passion for skiing is only rivaled by his gift of sharing it with others. Ed began teaching skiing at Arapahoe Basin in 1966, and it was here that he began his lifelong mission to share the sport with the disabled. Working with doctors from an Army hospital, Ed taught disabled Vietnam-era veterans. Soon Ed was working with kids from the Children's Hospital in Denver. In 1969 Ed moved to Snowmass Village and started the adaptive ski program at Aspen, where he taught for over 26 years. Ed practiced skiing on one leg, and skied blindfolded, to see what methods and techniques would work best with his students. If Ed did not like the way a piece of adaptive ski equipment worked, he would spend countless hours modifying it for his students. Ed has selflessly shared his knowledge and teaching with instructors and volunteers throughout the world. Through his pioneering techniques and experimentation with equipment, Ed has bought the freedom and confidence of skiing to thousands of people with disabilities. The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame is pleased to honor Ed for his years of dedication and passion.

The Colorado Ski Museum will host a number of events throughout the year to celebrate our new Hall of Fame members. The Fourth Annual Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Golf Invitational is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 29, at Keystone Ranch. There will be an opening reception late in the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 28. An awards ceremony and party will immediately follow the completion of golf on Monday. Come, meet, and play with past and present Hall of Fame members this summer.

The 29th Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame Induction Gala will take place on Saturday, October 22, 2005. At this time our five new inductees will be honored for their many contributions to snowsports in Colorado, and will be enshrined into our Hall of Fame. The black tie affair will take place in Denver at a location to be determined. This annual gala is one of several major fundraisers for the non-profit Colorado Ski Museum/Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. The Museum is located in Vail and maintains a Resource Center in Golden, Colorado. Museum entry is free of charge.

Tickets to the Gala sell for $100 for museum members and $125 for non-members, and the interested public is invited. Please join us and all our Hall of Fame family as we honor these unique individuals, who have played a vital role in Colorado's rich skiing history.

For more information please contact the Ski Museum at (970) 476-1876, or e-mail info@skimuseum.net or FAX (970) 476-1879.

Maine honors Anderson, Emery, Johnsen, Jones, Kendalls, Morse, Murphy, Osgood, Remington and Pidacks

Portland, Maine: As the snow melts on the 2004-2005 ski season, the Maine Ski Hall of Fame announces its inductees in the Class of 2005.

The Maine Ski Hall of Fame was formed in 2003 and is a division of the Ski Museum of Maine. The mission of the Maine Ski Hall of Fame is to recognize those skiers who, through their efforts and achievements, have brought distinction to Maine skiing.

The 2005 inductees to the Hall of Fame include international and Olympic competitors, ski industry innovators, several coaches who have lead their athletes to state titles and volunteers who worked tirelessly to help ski athletes excel in their home state of Maine and beyond.

Karl Anderson: Anderson was the first Alpine skier from Maine to ski in the Olympics, in 1976 and 1980. He won in European Cup competition and the 1978 US Downhill title. Anderson also served on the US Olympic Committee Executive Board and the US Ski Team Board of Directors.

Franklin Emery: Emery was a 20 year ski patrol veteran, developed his own Ski Spree Wax, and was involved in many aspects of Maine and regional skiing. Emery served as President of the Downeast Ski Club and the Maine Ski Council and many years as race official.

Theo Johnsen: Johnsen was a historic figure who wrote the first ski book in North America in 1905. From his store in Portland, Johnsen sold skis he developed along with bindings and other winter sports gear.

James "Jimmy" Jones: Jones formed Maine's first ski patrol in 1936 and served as patrol leader at Pleasant Mountain for many years. He was a ski instructor and coach at South Portland and Westbrook High Schools.

Richard and Mary Kendall: The Kendalls are known for training skiers in the Lewiston/Auburn area. Richard Kendall was director of the Lost Valley Ski School, organizer of the Junior Racing Club and also served as a timing official at the 1980 Olympics. Mary Kendall also served as a race official and organized and directed Auburn Learn to Ski Programs.

Robert Morse: Morse began his career captaining his high school ski team at Deering High School. From 1970 to the present, Morse has coached cross country and alpine ski teams, winning XC state titles in 1986 and 1995, and named XC Coach of the Year in 1986.

Richard "Pat" Murphy: Murphy joined the Sugarloaf Ski Patrol in 1959 and at 83 is still active. In addition to patrolling Murphy has worked as volunteer for over ten years with Maine Handicapped Skiing and with the Special Olympics since it started at Sugarloaf in 1982.

Richard "Dick" Osgood: Osgood's Edward Little boy's ski team won 10 state titles and 3 New England championships and he led the EL girls to five state titles.

Robert "Rem" Remington: Remington excelled in jumping and cross country at Gould Academy and UMO, captaining his teams at both levels. At Telstar, Remington coached his teams to six boys' state titles and girls to five. His 1978 boys won the New England title.

Robert Pidacks: Pidacks represented the US as a cross country skier in the 1952 Olympics held in Oslo, Norway.

JOURNAL OF ISHA, THE INTERNATIONAL SKIING HISTORY ASSOCIATION
The International Skiing History Association is a not-for-profit corporation, whose mission is to preserve and advance the knowledge of ski history and to increase public awareness of the sport's heritage.

ISHA, PO Box 644, Woodbury CT 06798 (203) 263-2176