Last week, the legendary Colorado ski and snowboard community of Aspen hosted the induction ceremony and Skiing History Week for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. The week featured skiing and snowboarding, skiing history presentations, parties, award ceremonies, a film festival and first tracks with Hall of Famers. These ticketed events were open to the public and gathered many familiar faces in the industry including Aspen local Klaus Obermeyer, Former World Cup racer Billy Kidd and more; it was held at the St. Regis Aspen Resort on Saturday, April 9.
The mission of the U. S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame is to honor athletes and sport builders for their lifelong national and international achievements in the sport. The National Ski Association of America, now known as USSA was established in 1905 in Ishpeming, MI., the birthplace of organized skiing. The Hall of Fame Museum, established in 1954 resides in Ishpeming as well. A national voting panel selects the incoming class in the fall of each year.
Before the induction ceremony, over 200 friends, fans and family members of 1984 Olympic Champion, Bill Johnson, gathered for an emotional reflection of his life. They were guided down the Aspen Downhill course by U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association’s Vice President of Communications, Tom Kelly. It was an intimate celebration of Bill’s life with his two sons also in attendance; Tyler and Nick.
The celebratory weekend concluded with the famous Hall of Famer’s First Tracks send off – including past Hall of Fame and industry legends – at Upper Gondola Plaza.
Overall, it was a memorable and wonderful week in Aspen celebrating the below industry movers and shakers:
1. Genia Fuller Crews (CA)
2. David Ingemie (VA)
3. Henry Kaiser (NY)
4. Chris Klug (CO)
5. Jim Martinson (WA)
6. Bob Salerno (CA)
7. Edgar Stern (UT)
Check out some photos honoring former SIA President, David Ingemie and find all bios of the inductees here.
(L to R): Bernie Weischel, David Ingemie, Wendy Carey, Mike Carey, Clark Gundlach and Nancy Ingemie
(L to R): David Lampert, Bob Gundram, Toril Forland, David Ingemie, Clark Gundlach, Diane Boyer, Nick Sargent, Wendy Carey, Mike Carey
Tom Kelly & David Ingemie
Klaus Obermeyer, David Ingemie & Billy Kidd
Chris Davenport, Nick Sargent, Bob Gundram, Andy Clurman, David Ingemie and Andy Bigford
Formal recap coming from the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame soon.