Jim Hunter headlines HellRoaring Ski Heritage Days

Canadian ski icon “Jungle” Jim Hunter will help to honor Whitefish’s own ski legends at the fourth annual HellRoaring Ski Heritage Days on March 17-18.

Hunter will be the guest of honor at this year’s Ski Heritage Days, a celebration of the Flathead Valley’s skiing history and a fundraising event for the Ski Heritage Center Museum of Skiing and the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation.

“Over the past three years we have seen steady growth in this event, and we’re definitely on track for a bigger and better time this year,” Tim Hinderman, executive director of the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation, said. “It’s a great opportunity for people to actively partake in the festivities by dressing up in old ski outfits and bringing along old ski equipment, and to raise money for the new Ski Museum and the Ski Foundation at the same time.”

Hunter will preside over a Hall of Fame induction ceremony that will include Russ Street and Roy Duff, two of the founding directors of Winter Sports Inc., and Al Raddatz, a long-time ski instructor and ski run construction expert.

Hunter’s résumé includes an Olympic Bronze medal, multiple World Cup and World Pro Skiing top-10 finishes and taking part as one of the original “Crazy Canucks” downhill racers in the 1970s and 80s. He is also a racing commentator for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and has trained more than 3,000 athletes and 1,200 families in how to raise a champion through Sportcology Institute.

The induction ceremony will be on Friday, March 17 at the O’Shaughnessy Center beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 and available at Glacier Bank in downtown Whitefish or in Kalispell.

On Saturday, March 18 at Whitefish Mountain Resort, the Ski-A-Thon, Retro Ski Race, Vintage Outfit Contest and Toni Matt Promenade will all take place. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The Ski-A-Thon runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and the Retro Race is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on “Nice Day” run. A lunch from noon-1:30 p.m. outside Ed & Mully’s involves Hunter and a Big Mountain Ski Team Reunion. Judging for the best vintage outfit contest is 3:15 p.m. at the Summit House and the grand promenade takes places down Toni Matt at 4 p.m. Cocktail hour and best vintage outfit awards will be announced at 4:30 p.m. at the Hell Roaring Saloon.

The Ski Heritage Center Museum of Skiing is currently under development on the historic site of the Saddle Club facility adjacent to the Stumptown Ice Den arena and is expected to open this summer. Once completed, the Ski Heritage Center will include a museum and Hall of Fame and serve as a gathering place for locals and visitors to learn about the fascinating history of skiing in the region.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Tim Hinderman at 406-885-2730 or visit www.fvsef.org.