2019 - 2020 Far West Skier's Guide - 47

II SNOWSPORTS BUILDER
AWARD 2 019

The FWSA Snowsports Builder Award is given to
individuals who have made an indelible positive impact
on snowsports. The builder may be honored for
achievements in athletics, the press, publishers, historians,
industry, humanitarian work, area development, or
technology. In short, they honor those who have made
significant contributions to snowsports.
by John Watson
History Chair, FWSA
1970's photo of Barbara from the Intermountain
Ski Hall of Fame. She was inducted in 2018.
photos provided John Watson

Barbara Yamada has served snowsports
as a volunteer, administrator, junior racer, racing official at all levels, coach and instructor
over a span of five decades. She is the go-to
person for skiing in Utah. Her diligence and
generous volunteer dedication have enabled
snowsports in many ways, including showcasing the development of it in the Intermountain region.
Barbara Yamada was taught to ski at age
eight by her Italian mother, the bride of a
World War II soldier. She progressed through
the age groups for junior racing and skied
with the Pocatello volunteer ski patrol, as
well.
When she went to the University of
Utah, she raced in events conducted by the Intermountain Division of the United States Ski
Association, since there were no racing events
for women conducted by the university at
that time (circa 1965).
She dropped racing to focus on her
studies. After graduation she worked in the
University of Utah Medical Hospital for two
years. Then, she was recruited to fill a new
position - the Executive Director of the Intermountain Division, where she served from
1973-1974.
But, these were changing times in the
USSA and she took another job in group sales
at Snowbird. She took time out to marry, but
returned to skiing after several years. She resumed skiing as a part time instructor at Alta
for 15 years, where she met Alf Engen.
The Engen Museum opened in 1989 and
Barbara became a charter member of the Alf
Engen Museum Foundation Board. She chairs
the Ski Archives Advisory Board of the Uni-

uuuuu

Barbara Yamada:

Continues to Make History
in Intermountain Skiing

Barbara Yamada is shown with members of the University of Utah ski teams at the 2018 NCAA
Championships at Steamboat Ski Resort.

versity of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library.
Barbara continues to assist with competition duties at all levels of racing and volunteers with the University of Utah ski teams.
She officiated at the Olympic Paralympic
Games in 2002. She was inducted into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame in 2018.

Barbara Yamada has been a witness to
history and a tireless and continuing contributor to it.
For her long and diverse support to
snowsport in the Intermountain region, she
was a recipient of a 2019 FWSA Snowsports Builder.. ss

The Far West Ski Association wishes to thank all those who have contributed to the development of the Ski Industry.
Far West Skier's Guide 2O19 - 2O2O

2019 - 2020 Far West Skier's Guide

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