Ski heritage recognized during Hellroaring Days

Whitefish Mountain Resort celebrates Hellroaring Ski Heritage Days March 13 and 14, a gala retro weekend to benefit the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation and the Ski Heritage Center Museum of Skiing in Whitefish.

Emmy Award-winning cinematographer and U.S. Ski Hall of Fame member Joe Jay Jalbert will be the guest of honor and preside over the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, March 13, at the Hellroaring Saloon. 

The second class of Hall of Fame inductees includes Big Mountain co-founder George Prentice; Whitefish ski pioneer and longtime Big Mountain Ski School director Karl Hinderman; early-day ski racer, ski coach and Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation co-founder Gary Tallman; and former Big Mountain Ski Patrol Chief and hill manager Dale Evenson.

In addition, Dick and Pete Collins will be honored for their combined four decades of ski coaching.

Tickets cost $25 per person and include a light buffet. Tickets are available at Glacier Bank in downtown Whitefish and Kalispell.

Hellroaring Heritage Days festivities continue Saturday, March 14, with the Ski-A-Thon. Registration is from 8 to 10 a.m. at Ed & Mully’s. Skiers on new or vintage equipment can help raise money by soliciting pledges for vertical feet skied. 

Proceeds will benefit the Ski Heritage Center Museum and Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation. Pledge forms and rules can be downloaded at www.fvsef.org.

Saturday’s Retro-Ski Race provides a venue for all those ex-racers, and maybe some non-racers, to dust off their old race skis and give them one more ride on a race course, and well for those on “non-vintage” equipment who just want to make a run or two on an old-time slalom course. The Retro Race entry fee is a $25 donation. 

Registration for races is from 8 to 10 a.m. at Ed & Mully’s. Races begin at 11 a,m.

A Heritage barbecue will be held afterward from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the race finish area near the Heritage T-Bar.

Classic ski movies will also be shown all day Saturday at Hellroaring Saloon.

A Best Vintage Outfit contest will also be held. Pull out that old ski outfit and those old skis and boots for a fun day of skiing and reminiscing. Judging will be at 3:30 p.m.

Hellroaring Ski Heritage Days will culminate with the Toni Matt Promenade. All participants will gather and showcase their vintage outfits and equipment in a single-file “ski parade” down the Toni Matt run from top to bottom. 

A Tall Tales Time cocktail hour will capped off events and the Best Vintage Outfit Awards will be presented. 

Check www.fvsef.org for more details.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Tim Hinderman at 885-2730 or email tim.hinderman@fvsef.org