Skiing Heritage Week - April 8-15, 2012

Andre Roch, Hjalmar Hvam, and Arne Stene during the first ski ascent of Mount Hood in 1931 (from Written in the Snows )
[hr]
The International Skiing History Association (ISHA) and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame are holding their annual Skiing Heritage Week in the Pacific Northwest during the week of April 8-15, 2012.

The week is an opportunity for skiers to enjoy Northwest ski areas in the company of local experts and to celebrate the history of skiing. The week culminates with the 2012 US Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle on Saturday, April 14.

Here is a description from the US Hall of Fame website :

[size=10pt]As the saying in show business goes, we're taking our act on the road. During the week of April 8th-15th, 2012, we'll visit one of the cradles of American skiing: the Pacific Northwest. This once-in-a-lifetime gathering will see ISHA members and friends visit several mountain destinations whose names evoke some of skiing's grandest traditions: Timberline Lodge; Mount Hood Meadows; White Pass; Crystal Mountain; Mount Rainier; Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie. In a perfect ending to our Northwest sojourn, we'll end up in Seattle for the annual Induction Ceremony of the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, plus a special tribute to America's greatest ski & snowboard company - K2 - as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Numerous milestones in the growth of skiing and snowboarding have come out of the Northwest, from international competition to innovations in equipment, resort operations and publicity (FYI - Ski Magazine was started in Seattle 75 years ago). There is no aspect of the sport we know today that can't, in some form, trace its heritage to the Northwest.
[/size]

The full information packet, including the schedule of events, cost details, and a registration form can be viewed here:

www.skihall.com/Skiing_Heritage_Week_NW%20Packet_Final.pdf

There are two options for participating:

1. Sign up for the whole week of activities starting Sunday April 8th in Oregon. Package includes lodging, transportation, most meals and all lift passes, for $1,585 or $1,795 (depending on which Seattle hotel you choose).

2. Or join other participants in Seattle, starting the evening of April 11th, and purchase what you need – hotel, functions, skiing, etc. on an ala-carte basis.

Participation in the road trip thru the Northwest is limited (capacity two busloads) available on a first come first serve basis. Registration must be completed by March 23rd.

Of particular interest to me is the Ishpeming International Film Festival, which starts at 7pm on Wednesday, April 11 at Seattle's Bell Harbor Conference Center, Bay Auditorium. The festival is free and will continue on the evenings of April 12 and 13.

Rick Moulton, a renowned New England filmmaker, writes:

Wednesday the 11th in Seattle is the "Jerry Awards" and kick off of the Ishpeming International Film Festival. After the awards on Wednesday we are premiering "Ski Heil" (the ISHA Film Award winner this year) with Q&A by the Austrian filmmaker afterward... You do not want to miss this only American showing!

The five award winning films will be presented by the filmmakers Thursday from 7 to 8:30 PM and then repeating 8:30 to 10:00 PM Friday. No registration is needed just come and enjoy ...

A website about the intriguing film "Ski Heil" can be seen here:

www.skiheil-derfilm.com/?view=inhalt&lang=en (summary)

www.skiheil-derfilm.com/?view=trailer&lang=en (trailer)

Thanks for the heads up. I am going to try and make the film fest. Ski heil does sound like an intersting mix of history.

Ishpheming is what caught my eye.
I've been to the hall of fame and seen the historied old wooden ski jump while skiing in and around Ishpheming. Lot's of ski history up there.... in Michigan?

And lots of scandanavians in da u.p, eh?

Way ahead of their time with the baggy pants.

Ishpheming is what caught my eye.
I've been to the hall of fame and seen the historied old wooden ski jump while skiing in and around Ishpheming. Lot's of ski history up there.... in Michigan?

Here's a preliminary flyer for the film festival. It includes information about which films are to be shown when:

alpenglow.org/misc/2012/HOF_EOB_Proof.pdf

I attended this event last year, (special case, complimentry, of course). In case any one with the spare change is sitting on the fence about going I thought I would add that the induction banquet was truely inspirational. Glen Plake's acceptance speech was the most emotional discourse I have ever heard. It touched all range of emotions from heartbreaking circumstances that brought tears to his, mine and many other's eyes, to the heights of hilarity, to his generosity, successes and his to-the-bone desire to be a good will ambassador of the sport. It was exeptional from an exceptional, down to earth, ski loving guy like you and I. If it could be guaranteed that this year will have an equally stellar presentation I would seriously consider coughing up the change to attend again, (its a good cause).

Glen's wasn't the only inspirational speech though so I would expect this year to have some gems as well and encourage those that can, to attend. Oh and yeh, I will be at the free screenings.

It's this week!

Coming to the big city on Wednesday.