Canadian Ski Hall of Fame to Induct
Three New Members
Three Companies
to Award “Fast
Skier” Scholarship
again in 2010
Hans Niederhauser, Hugh Smythe and Jim-
mie Spencer, have been named to the Ca-
nadian Ski Hall of Fame.
Niederhauser, formerly of White Lake,
Ontario, played a critically important role
as a cross country coach at all levels, from
the early 1970s until his death in 2008 at
age 72. According to the Hall of Fame, he
committed huge amounts of energy, most
of it as a volunteer, coaching at the club,
high school, divisional, provincial, nation-
al, and international levels; Niederhauser
also helped shape the Canadian national
team.
Hugh Smythe, of Whistler, B.C., is a “vi-
sionary” in the ski development business,
said the Hall of Fame. Starting out as a
professional ski patroller at Whistler Moun-
tain in 1966, he went on to become moun-
tain manager at Whistler and president of
Blackcomb; and as a senior executive at
Intrawest, he was responsible for virtually
all operations at some 10 major ski areas
in Canada and the U.S. Smythe’s work has
had a great impact on the efficiency of ski
lift operations, customer service and on the
number of active skiers.
Jimmie Spencer, of Vernon B.C., has played
a pivotal role in the growth of the ski indus-
try in western Canada and throughout the
country, said the Hall of Fame. As president
of the Canada West Ski Areas Association
for the last 30 years, he has harnessed the
skills and other resources of ski areas in
western Canada and made them globally
competitive. His leadership in such areas as
the development of codes of industry eth-
ics, safety standards, responsibility codes,
and college education programs in ski re-
sort operations and management have
been vital to the success of ski resort opera-
tions not only in the West, but also across
Canada.
The three new inductees will join some 150
Ski Racing Development, World Cup Supply and
Halti USA have announced the second year of the
“Fast Skier” Junior Alpine Scholarship Fund. The
purpose of the fund is to provide monetary assistance to a deserving junior alpine ski racer. The
USSA J3 athlete who exhibits the personal characteristics required for success both on and off the
hill will earn $1,000.
“The response to the scholarship last year was
fantastic,” said Brad Williams of World Cup Supply,
Inc. “So much so that we were a bit overwhelmed
with applications that arrived at the 11th hour.
Last year’s winner, Stephanie Schott of Rowmark,
is a shinning example of what the scholarship is
all about.”
The scholarship will be awarded at the end of
April.
“Our goal is to develop our grass-roots support
program starting with these highly motivated
young athletes as they progress towards the U.S.
Ski team and possible collegiate, World Cup and
Olympic-level competition,” said Barry Levinson of
Ski Racing Development.
Interested athletes may find the application by
visiting junioralpinescholarship.com. The application deadline is March 1, 2010. General questions
can be sent to info@worldcupsupply.com; please
write “Scholarship” in the subject line.
Last year’s
scholarship
winner,
Stephanie
Schott.
Vermont Binding Safety Researcher Seeks Study Participants
JULIE SHIPMAN
Vermont Safety Research is currently studying inadvertent binding releases for a study that may be
shared with groups working to develop and monitor guidelines for the manufacture, installation,
adjustment and inspection of alpine ski equipment. Research Carl Ettlinger invites those who have
sustained what they consider to be an unnecessary release of their ski binding — and have the event
captured on video — to participate in the study. Information can be kept confidential; for more
information and forms, email vsr@together.net.
