WSSSM Grand Opening, Saturday, Oct 10, 2015, 3pm

I visited the museum today to make some final tweaks to the ski mountaineering exhibit.

More work was taking place and the museum is looking great.

I'll be curious to hear what people enjoy most during their visit.

One of my favorite artifacts is the genuine Silver Skis trophy on display. This is the trophy won by Seattle fireman Matt Broze in 1942, when he beat some of the most famous skiers in the country, members of what would become the 10th Mountain Division.

Here's a photo of the trophy on display. You can judge the size of the trophy by comparing it to the racing bib on the left. What this photo doesn't show is the amazing workmanship by silversmith Carl Zapffe of Seattle. Take a close look at the detail in the tiny bindings when you visit the museum.

Hope to see folks at Saturday's grand opening!

^^^
That trophy is even better in person, the level of detail is astounding.

Great turnout yesterday for the grand opening.

^^^
That trophy is even better in person, the level of detail is astounding.

Matt C. Broze (son of Matt V. Broze who won the 1942 trophy) says that every Silver Skis trophy was unique and that the ski design and bindings depicted by the trophies changed as real ski gear changed. Matt still has the skis that his father used in the 1942 race. Interestingly, those skis don't look like any of the Silver Skis trophies because Broze Sr. was always making custom modifications to his gear, and the bindings on his skis were one-of-a-kind.

Historical notes about the Silver Skis races can be found by following the links here:

alpenglow.org/ski-history/subjects/S-info.html#silver-skis

Alas life and travel had me too busy for the opening event, yet I truly look forward to enjoying the museum. Congrats and thank you to all that made it happen!!!