Paying tribute to the old days of skiing

by Daily Inter Lake
| March 12, 2014 9:00 PM

The Flathead Ski Heritage Center and the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation are hosting HellRoaring Ski Heritage Days March 22 and 23 at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

HellRoaring Ski Heritage Days was conceived as a celebration of the Flathead Valley’s rich and colorful skiing history and to raise money for the new Ski Heritage Center Museum of Skiing and the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation.

The museum is being developed by the foundation on the site of the Saddle Club facility adjacent to the Stumptown Ice Den ice arena.

In addition to the Ski-A-Thon, donations will be accepted at each of the activities throughout the weekend. HellRoaring Ski Heritage Days activities include:

v Ski-A-Thon — Individuals or teams of skiers may choose one day to ski on new or vintage equipment and help raise money by soliciting pledges for Vertical Feet skied. Pledge forms can be downloaded at http://www.scribd.com/doc/211202665/Ski-A-Thon-Pledge-Form.

v Heritage T-Bar dedication — Whitefish Mountain Resort has dedicated the Heaven’s T-Bar to the new ski museum project. It will be christened the FVSEF Heritage T-Bar.

v Retro ski race — Ex-racers, and maybe some non-racers, will have the opportunity to dust off their old race skis and give them one more ride on a race course. It’s also available for people on “non-vintage” equipment who just want to make a run or two on an old-time slalom course. Entry fee is a $25 donation for as many runs as you want and includes a souvenir Ski Heritage race bib.

v Vintage Equipment Rally and Poker Ski Run.

v Old-time Ski Movies — All day Saturday at Ed & Mully’s and HellRoaring Saloon.

v Best Vintage Outfit Contest — Pull out that old ski outfit and those old skis and boots for a fun day of skiing and reminiscing.

v Toni Matt Promenade— Participants will showcase vintage outfits and equipment in a single-file ski parade down the Toni Matt run.

v HellRoaring Ski Heritage Days reception, Norm Kurtz Memorial and 10th Mountain Division Tribute — In addition to announcing the Retro Race, vintage outfit and poker ski-run winners, this will be an opportunity to remember the late Norm Kurtz and his many years of service and contributions to Whitefish and the Big Mountain. There will also be a tribute to the 10th Mountain Division ski troops and the local skiing legends who pioneered skiing at Big Mountain and served in World War II.

This event includes a light buffet and no host bar. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased in advance at Glacier Bank in downtown Whitefish and Kalispell. Rocky Mountain Transportation will operate a free shuttle departing from the Saddle Club at 5:45 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for the weekend. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tim Hinderman at 885-2730 or visit www.fvsef.org.