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MORTON, ENGEN: PIONEERS PERSONIFIED By Mike Korologos Hollywood could not have written a more dramatic script. Two gentle giants of the ski world, working for decades closer than ski soles and wax, die within days of each other. And that's after spending their last days in adjacent rooms in the same hos- pital. Indeed, history is fraught with irony. The passing of Chick Morton on July 14th and Alf Engen on July 2Oth, all but wrote "finis" on a ski era, not only for Alta where they both plied their trade for decades, but for the West and, indeed, the nation. There will be no one to equal Chick Morton in ski area management nor no one to equal Alf Engen in the area of ski technique. Their lifelong efforts on behalf of skiing helped shape the sport to the worldwide popularity it enjoys today. Morton was manager and then President of the Alta Ski Lifts Company from 1958 until his death. Engen was director of the ski school at Alta that bears his name from 1948 to 1989 and recipient of virtually every ski award imaginable, including mem- bership in national and local ski Halls of Fame. They both per- sonified the phrase "history in the making." Pioneers in the truest sense of the word, these behemoths of the sport set the standard for ski lift companies and ski schools. But they never waivered in their passion to extend friendship to all comers-from royality to the less advantaged. Their work, fortunately, has been duly recorded via pho- tographs, videotape recordings, hours-long interviews and audio reports by the Ski Archives Program of the University of Utah's Marriott Library. In fact, Engen and Morton played major roles in the establishment of the Ski Archives, since the Alta Ski Lifts Company was the catalyst for its founding and a treasure of his- toric photos and documents were given to the library during the observance of the company's 50th anniversary in 1989. Engen was honored by the Ski Archives Program in 1989, as a pioneer of the sport and was lauded for his world record-setting ski jumping exploits, his ski resort developments, and for coach- ing the U.S. Olympic Team in 1948. A museum bearing his name and housing numerous items of his many ski triumphs is planned for the Utah Winter Sports Park, four miles north of Park City. Ironically, this park is a mere kick turn from Ecker Hill, site of some of his world record-setting ski jumping victories. Alf's son, Alan, runs the ski school at Alta and is spearheading the museum project that is being developed in close liaison with the University of Utah's Ski Archives Program. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002 will stage the bobsled/luge, ski jumping and Nordic combined competitions at the Park during the Games. Morton was honored by the archives program in 1995 when he was presented the S.J. and J.E. Quinney Award for outstanding achievement and contribution to Utah's ski development. During his years of service to Alta, Chic served as President of the Utah Ski Association, the Intermountain Ski Areas Association, and on the board of directors of the Forest Service Recreation Association. In 1985, for his many years of promoting tourism in Utah, he was honored as the first member of the state's Tourism Hall of Fame. Chic Morton and Alf Engen at Ski Affair `95 November 15 marks the first day of the 50fh Anniversary Deseret News Ski School! Were you a part of the early days in the Deseret News Ski School? Please join us for a reception in celebration of the Spyeal: Bring your favorite ski memorabilia to participate in the `Best of" competition for skis and other great prizes! Classes begin at 8:30 am in Sugarhouse Park. Reunion Celebration begins at 10:00 am. 3 |
