Journal of the New England Ski Museum Spring 2017 Issue Number 104 The Mountain Troops and Mountain Culture in Postwar America Part Three of the Museum’s 2016 Exhibit By Jeff Leich Denver Public Library, Western History Collection Western Library, Public Denver Whiteface in New York opened in January 1958 with former 86th Regiment medic Arthur Draper as general manager. Draper was a New York Times writer who resigned to work as a forest ranger in upstate New York before the war. Wounded on Mount della Torraccia and with two Bronze stars, Draper returned to New York after the war and was instrumental in picking out the site for a new location for a state-funded ski area after its Marble Mountain location proved untenable. The second manager of Whiteface was Hal Burton, a veteran of the Columbia Icefields expedition, the 2662 detachment to Terminello, and author of a book on the 10th. In later years, 86th veteran Stan Heidenreich oversaw construction of trails, lifts and snowmaking at the mountain in preparation for the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Outdoor Recreation and reopen roads, and their success in this emergency work Graduating from Dartmouth in 1938, where he had been a was considered a high point in the history of the outing club.1 prominent member of the Outing Club, John A. Rand was hired as assistant director of the club just before the hurricane In 1942 Rand was elevated to general manager of the DOC, of September 1938 swept through New England, leaving the days before he was called for service in the Army. As a student club’s extensive trail network largely obliterated by a tangle he had served on early ski patrols in the Tuckerman Ravine of downed trees. Even the campus, downtown Hanover and and Wildcat areas under the direction of the Forest Service and surrounding towns lost many stately trees, blocking traffic for the AMC’s Joe Dodge before the advent of the National Ski days. Rand mobilized the outing club and its affiliated groups Patrol, and when that group was organized he became an early like the Dartmouth Mountaineering Club to clear downed trees member, as indicated by his designation as national patrolman Continued on page 6 New England Ski Museum Paumgarten Family Archival Center Interstate 93 Exit 34B PO Box 267 • Franconia, NH 03580 Phone: (603) 823-7177 • Fax: (603) 823-9505 • E-Mail: [email protected] www.skimuseum.org Mission 2016-2017 Board of Directors New England Ski Museum collects, conserves, and exhibits President elements of ski history for the purposes of research, educa- Bo Adams, York, ME tion, and inspiration. Treasurer Specifically, the Museum: Kathleen E. Sweeney, Center Harbor, NH Secretary ❖ collects and preserves examples of ski equipment, Timothy G. Scott, Jackson, NH clothing, art, and ephemera; E. John B. Allen, Rumney, NH ❖ collects and preserves photographic records, films, and Bruce A. Berke, Bow, NH historic documents of skiing; Ellen Chandler, New London, NH ❖ maintains a reference library of ski literature, including Greg Connolly, Peterborough, NH books and periodicals; Tom Cottrill, New London, NH ❖ collects and preserves memorabilia of the 10th Jeremy Davis, Gansevoort, NY Mountain Division; Chris Devlin-Young, Bethlehem, NH ❖ maintains an oral history library of notable skiers; Sean Doll, Littleton, NH Philip Gravink, Saco, ME ❖ provides exhibitions about the history of skiing and its Sandra C. Heath, Stowe, VT importance to social and economic development; and David Ingemie, McLean, VA ❖ provides education programs for its community. Jim Irwin, Contoocook, NH Roy Lundquist, Kearsarge, NH Paul Valar Society Richard Moulton, Huntington, VT Xander Paumgarten, Stowe, VT Have you considered including New England Ski Museum in your estate plan? Thomas Quarles, Brookline, NH David Sunshine, Richmond, VT By including a financial bequest to the Museum in their estate Ted Sutton, Lincoln, NH planning, Paul Valar Society members continue the Museum’s mission to preserve the history and heritage of skiing beyond Jim Weitz, Cambridge, MA their lifetime. The Society takes its name from Paul Valar, the Brad Williams, Norwich, VT charismatic and influential ski school director and coach who Robert E. Young, Darien, CT was the first president of the New England Ski Museum. If you have made provision for the Museum in your planning, we would appreciate knowing that so we can thank you. Bequests need not meet any particular threshold, and the amount of the bequest need not be shared with the Museum. If you are considering such a step in concert with your financial advisor, a Museum board member or senior staffer can provide 2016-2017 Staff more information. Linda Bradshaw, Lincoln, NH Donna Kaye Erwin, Sugar Hill, NH Journal of the Kay Kerr, Bethlehem, NH New England Ski Museum Jeff Leich, North Conway, NH is published in March, June, September and December Karin Martel, Lincoln NH and sent as a benefit to all members. Leslie Seigal-Bergum, Bretton Woods, NH We welcome your questions, comments, and letters. Jeff Leich, Editor Graphic Design by Sherwin Dodge Printers, Littleton, NH 2 President’s Report By Bo Adams As I write this there are still three While the name Hannes Schneider resonates with us all, I’ve ski resorts open but for me the never had a full appreciation of Hannes’ roots. That changed season is over. The one exception on my first trip to Austria, specifically to St. Anton this past of course will be the annual May April. My wife Cindy and I thought it was time to check up on trip to Tuckerman Ravine. With young son Wyatt who has spent a semester in Vienna, the lucky just shy of 50 days with skis on, guy. After a five hour train ride from Vienna to St. Anton we I have nothing to complain about were greeted at the station by Christoph Schneider, grandson and much fun reflecting on some of Hannes. A short walk took us to the center of St. Anton, of the best skiing I personally a quintessential Alpine village nestled in the Arlberg region. have had in some time with great friends and family. The most Our home for the next five nights was Schneider Hof Hotel Garni. gratifying was to make a half This fabulous boutique hotel is in the house that Hannes built dozen runs with my mom at the tender age of 84 at Ski Sundown back in 1923. Its original purpose was to provide lodging for in Connecticut. She hasn’t missed a beat! pupils of the Skischule St. Anton which Hannes founded that year. Today it provides elegant lodging to guests from around the Unfortunately for the Museum, due to the thaw in early March, world. The restoration of this home undertaken by Christoph we were forced to cancel our Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon and Hannah provides an experience not to be forgotten. So if for the second year in a row. On the other hand the 21st annual you have not been to Austria you must go, go to St. Anton and Hannes Schneider Meister Cup race was a great success though stay at the Schneider Hof! arguably the coldest one to date. The frigid weather didn’t keep 10th Mountain veteran Dick Calvert from putting on a great Hannes Schneider left an indelible mark in St. Anton. It remains performance at 93 years young, speed suit and all. Good going his town and both Christoph and Hannah carry on his name Dick!! and tradition with gracious and remarkable style! Greg Connolly our North Conway expansion Capital Campaign In closing I congratulate Bernie Weichsel for his recent induction Committee Chair, his committee members and the local volunteer to the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Bernie has been an group known as the Downhill Divas have made enormous strides ardent promoter for the sport of skiing and riding for decades in raising cash and pledges for this exciting project. We have the and has been a long standing member, former Board member final goal of $1.7 million in our sights, but we need your help to and supporter of the New England Ski Museum. put us over the top. Thank you in advance for your help. By now you have received, or you will shortly, a letter from Greg asking I hope you enjoy your spring and summer and again I thank for contributions to help with this expansion. Anything you can you for your interest in and support of the New England Ski offer will be greatly appreciated. We were very excited to learn Museum. recently that the exterior work on the new location has begun. Director’s Report By Jeff Leich The end of ski season for me only to incur water damage to the interior when a wind storm came on April 29 when Wildcat peeled off a portion of that roof. opened for one last day amid a rapidly evaporating snowpack. The Gibson Woodbury Charitable Foundation of North Somewhat compensating for the Conway will very generously underwrite not only this roof fading away of another winter replacement, but the installation of new exterior siding, two was the excitement of seeing public restrooms and accessibility ramp, and various other work begin on our Eastern exterior and electrical upgrades that will make the building Slope branch building, as roofers habitable for us. These projects will begin in early June. staged their scaffolding at the old North Conway Community The exhibit firm HER Design of Marblehead, Massachusetts Center building. is in the final phase of defining the exhibition plans, and the committee headed by Phil Gravink that is overseeing this is This first step of renovation of the building by installation of quite enthusiastic on the plans as they are emerging.