2024 - 2025 Far West Skier's Guide - 42

FWSA Historic Recognitions
Ski Clubs, Councils, Ski Schools & Ski Patrols
by Jane Wyckoff
History Committee Chair FWSA
Alan Christian, President of the Far West Ski Foundation, presented Historic Recognition Certificates to:
Scott Mathers, Director, Alf Engen Ski School; Bill Clark, Executive Director, Auburn Ski Club; Ken and
Lynnell Calkins, Beach Cities Ski Club; and, Patrick Arnold, Patrol Leader, Bogus Basin Ski Patrol.
A Historic Recognition Certificate was also presented to Santa Rosa Ski Club with the Club & Council
History Award (see page 64). photos by Craig Caples
Auburn Ski Club
The Far West Ski Association's Historic
Recognition program was created to recognize
the outstanding accomplishments and achievements
of ski clubs, councils, ski schools and ski
patrols for over 50 years in existence. We were
pleased this year to recognize five historic entities,
and welcome our first Historic Ski
School.
Alf Engen Ski School
The Alf Engen Ski School first started at
Alta, Utah in the fall of 1948, following Alf
Engen's coaching of the U.S. Winter Olympic
Ski Team at St. Moritz, Switzerland. In the beginning,
the ski school consisted of only Alf
and his wife, Evelyn. Together, they built an
organization that today consists of between 90100
instructors (both part and full time), plus
administrative staff during winter ski seasons.
Over the years, five individuals have held
the position of Director in the Alf Engen Ski
School. They are: Alf Engen (namesake),
1948-1988; Paul Jones, 1989-1991; Alan Engen,
1992-1998; David Robinson, 1999-2022; and
Scott Mathers, 2023-Present.
Both Alf and his son Alan, assumed
duties as Alta's Director of Skiing following
being Ski School Directors, and both were inducted
into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall
of Fame. Over the past 76 years, the Alf Engen
Ski School has received many honors and is
recognized as one of the premier ski schools in
the country. A written accounting of the early
years in the Alf Engen Ski School was published
by the co-founder, the late Evelyn P.
Engen. (www.alta.com/ski-school)
Auburn Ski Club was born from visionary
founders in 1928 - a group of unique and
determined individuals with a genuine passion
for skiing. For years the organization
worked as a club to support snowsports in
Northern California. Today, it operates much
differently with a broader regional reach and
more snowsports disciplines.
Located at the top of Donner Summit
neighboring Boreal Mountain Resort, the ASC
Training Center is one of the few high-altitude
training centers in the country to offer Alpine,
Nordic, Biathlon and Snowboard programs
and a Nordic Center open to the public, and
all in one facility. As a top racing and training
venue in the western United States, ASC was
named U.S. Ski and Snowboard's Nordic Club
of the Year in 2001 and 2005, and Snowboard
Club of the Year in 2010. It is a U.S. Ski and
Snowboard Podium Certified club.
Auburn Ski Club collected and preserved
a significant amount of ski memorabilia
over the years, which was housed in
the club's Western SkiSport Museum located
at Boreal Mountain Resort, founded by William
B. Berry in 1969. This museum is now
closed, and memorabilia will be displayed at
the new SNOW Sports Museum.
Beach Cities Ski Club
Beach Cities Ski Club, member of the
Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs, was
founded in 1961. It is a ski, sports and social
club based in Manhattan Beach. Not only
does the club produce quality racers for the
ROKKA Race League, but also highly skilled
volleyball team players.
42 Far West Skier's Guide 2O24 - 2O25
Although the club no longer runs its
own bus trips to Mammoth Mountain, its
members participate on bus trips organized
by other LAC clubs, such as the Wailers and
Century City. The club does coordinate car
pool weekends to Mammoth and Big Bear. A
long-time supporter of Far West North American
and International Ski Weeks, the club
will be sending a group of participants to Far
West Ski Week in Banff, Canada in 2025.
Summer activities include barbeques in
June, July and August and their Annual
Clambake is infamous throughout the clubs
- great fun and fabulous food! The weekend
event is held at Live Oak Campground near
Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara. Club
Happy Hours are held throughout the year.
(www.bcskiclub.org)
Bogus Basin Ski Patrol
Committed to safety and service, the
Bogus Basin Ski Patrol (BBSP) is comprised
of volunteers and paid staff who act as the
first line of safety at Bogus Basin Mountain
Recreation Area. The Patrol received its Certificate
of Incorporation on February 16,
1967.
Located just 16 miles from Boise, Bogus
Basin Mountain Recreation Area has been
the Treasure Valley's year-round destination
for mountain recreation, education and community.
Bogus Basin is a not-for-profit resort,
with a mission to make the outdoors accessible
today, tomorrow and for generations to
come.
From alpine patrollers on skis and
snowboards to aid room workers, Nordic ski
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http://www.bcskiclub.org http://www.alta.com/ski-school

2024 - 2025 Far West Skier's Guide

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