Ski Heritage Days events, Hall of Fame induction next week
The Flathead Ski Heritage Center and the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation will honor three women as the 2018 inductees into the Ski Heritage Center Hall of Fame next week as part of the 2018 Hell Roaring Ski Heritage Days and Whitefish Mountain Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration.
The women have contributed a combined 120 years to shaping the history of skiing in the Flathead Valley. The 2018 inductees are Sandi Unger, Giselle “Jesse” Harring and Stacey Bengston.
Unger held many positions at the Big Mountain Ski Resort during her 45-year tenure with the majority of her career spent as administrative assistant to the resort managers. She passed away in 2010.
Harring was a longtime volunteer, served as the U.S. Forest Service representative on Big Mountain and is a lifelong member of the Big Mountain Ski Club. She posted ski race results for over 30 years for the ski club as the “Lady on the Board.”
Bengston has spent more than 40 years as a ski instructor on Big Mountain. The induction ceremony and reception will take place on Friday, Jan. 19 at the new Ski Heritage Center in Whitefish. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the induction ceremony at 7 p.m., followed by presentation from two FVSEF coaches and Olympians Hilary Lindh and Julie Parisien. Tickets are $20, available at Glacier Bank, downtown Kalispell and Whitefish, and online at FVSEF.org and includes appetizers, beer and wine.
The trio will join the elite group of 16 prior inductees; 2013 class includes Oystein Boveng, Martin Hale, Toni Matt, Lloyd Muldown and Ed Schenck; 2015 class includes Dale Evenson, Karl Hinderman, George Prentice and Gary Tallman; 2016 includes Bill Barrier, Tim Grattan, Bill Martin and Steve Spencer; and the 2017 class includes Roy Duff, Russ Street and Al Raddatz.
Events for Ski Heritage Days begin on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. with a special edition of Frabert “Clod of the Week” awards featuring Frabert All-Stars, stories from a decades-old tradition on Big Mountain at The Bierstube.
On Saturday, Jan. 20 events take place all day for Retro Ski Day at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Skiers are encouraged to dig through their closet or visit the thrift store to find vintage ski wear.
From 9-11 a.m. registration takes place for the Retro Race and Ski Cabin Classic at Ed and Mully’s.
At 11 a.m., the Billy Barnum Retro Race takes place on the “Nice Day” Run with Heritage T-Bar. There will be old-style bamboo gates, and vintage equipment and outfits are encouraged.
The Skimo Race Series Event takes place at 12:30 p.m. with the first annual Hellroaring Ski Cabin Classic. The race route takes skiers right past the Hellroaring Ski Cabin site off Home Again Trail
Judging for the Best Vintage Ski Wear Contest is at 3 p.m. at Base Lodge Patio, Whitefish Mountain Resort. Folks are encouraged to gather at the Base Lodge to show off their ski wear or après ski wear from decades gone by.
The Hellroaring Story Swap is set for 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Heaven’s Peak Room on the third floor of the Base Lodge. Listen to and share stories of the good times, great people and deep snow on Big Mountain since 1947. Featuring special guests from past decades to tell their stories as well as any members of the audience who wish to share their favorite memories.
A Marion Lacy dedication ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. at Base Lodge stairway landing. Join the family of Marion Lacy, photographer and promoter of Big Mountain, in a dedication ceremony. Lacy’s photographs of the Big Mountain from the 40s, 50s and 60s are on display throughout the third floor of the Base Lodge.
For more information contact Tim Hinderman at 406-885-2730, or visit www.fvsef.org.