The purpose of the Northwest Ski Hall of Fame is to honor and perpetuate the names and accomplishments of individuals who have had a positive impact on our sport and its future in the region. With your help, we would like to induct four new members into the Northwest Ski Hall of Fame at our 2024 Biennial Banquet on Saturday, October 26th.
Because we have received so many strong nominations since the last Hall of Fame event banquet in 2022. The Ancient Skiers Board has selected seven strong candidates to vote on for this year’s induction. Those not chosen this time may be up for consideration at the future event. Included in this newsletter are biographies of seven nominees that have been submitted over the past year to Committee Director Greg Prothman.
To help in your voting, the selection of inductees should be based on the following criteria:
- Uncommon energy, enthusiasm, and excitement as a leading force in the sport.
- Individuals who have made major contributions to the sport over a considerable period of years.
- Individuals who have helped increase awareness and appreciation of the sport by the public.
- Those who have brought lasting fame to snow sports in the Northwest.
Please review the Hall of Fame selection criteria and biographies and select your household’s four choices.
Biographies:
Tom Waldron
Tom started Skiing in 1973 and founded the Mini Mountain ski shop and indoor skiing in Bellevue 1983. Mini Mountain featured year around skiing access, a structured curriculum for teaching skiing and demographic Inclusivity. Tom taught skiing to a wide range of people including many populations not traditionally participating in snow sports. He is a longtime ski instructor and a seasoned snow sports business owner.
Richard Vanderflute
Richard took up snow skiing in 1949 and acquired ownership of the Paradise Ski School at Mt Rainier in 1956. He taught skiing at Paradise until 1975 and then later at Crystal until 1998 and was certified as a ski instructor in 1961, he taught over 3000 students. Richard bought Parkland Sports Center in 1965. Richard skied until age 91 and was the oldest pass holder at White Pass for two years.
Laurie Macartney
Started skiing in Junior high taking the bus to Snoqualmie pass and while in high school became a ski instructor at Snoqualmie. She taught chemistry and Advanced First Aid Eastlake High School. She joined the Crystal ski patrol in 1969 and spent 46 years as a crystal patroller and had numerous recognitions as a patroller. Laurie was awarded 18 recognitions by the National Ski patrol including Outstanding Patroller Award twice, the Ski Patrol Directors Distinguished Service Award and the Inspirational Patroller twice which is now named after her! Laurie’s last year of patrolling was 2016 when she lost her battle with breast cancer.
John Fergison
John was Director of the Portland junior chamber of commerce ski school at Mount Hood, which average 500 skiers weekend. He competed at international masters Park City 2001 and was a member of the Lewis and Clark college ski team from 1948 49, 50 51. He developed robo-timer racing timer. He competed at age 70 in the national senior summer races in Mount Hood. In his 70’s finished the London and Honolulu marathon and medaled in the Oregon senior Olympic games. Age 97, – 3 year member ancient skiers and attended the last two ancient skiers Sun Valley reunions. He skied until age 85 at Mt bachelor OR.
Stanley Larsen
Stanley Larsen was one of the earliest influencers in the worldwide development of freestyle skiing as an organized sport, bringing Northwest skiing to the forefront of skiing disciplines that later became recognized Olympic and FIS-World Cup events. He was a featured skier in notable ski films for Dick Barrymore, like “Assignment K2” filmed in the European Alps with Jean Claude Killy; and shot several Warren Millers feature films sequences in Japan and South America into the 2000’s starting with the first 150+ foot point-of-view ski jump sequence for Warren Millers’ 1972 film “Winter People”. He was awarded Overall Combined European Freestyle Champion in 1974 and was a founding member of the Professional Freestyle Associates, (which is akin to what the PGA is to golfers).
Mike Ewing
Mike Came to Crystal Mountain Winter of 1965-66. Working for National Ski Safety Research. Crystal Mountain was one of 7 ski areas in study using a grant from the National Health Department to determine the economic impact of people injured while skiing. He became the coach for the Crystal Mountain Mighty Mites program and was also the hard goods manager for the Crystal Mtn Ski Shop. Mike worked extensively in the ski industry for the A&T Ski Company, Lange Ski Boots and for K2 Ski Company where he was the national marketing manager and the Olympic coordinator for the 1980 winter Olympics where Phil Mahre became the first American skier to win an Olympic medal skiing on an American made ski. Has been a PSIA Certified Instructor since 1965 and next year will receive his 60- year Pin from PSIA.
Leland Rosenlund
Leland is a longtime member of the Ancient Skiers and served extensively on the Ancient Skiers Board and managed the membership roster for many years. Leland started skiing at an early age at Snoqualmie where his Mom and Dad were instrumental in starting the ski patrol at the pass. He also worked extensively in the ski industry first with Osborn and Ulland for 10 years and then Sports Unlimited with LeRoy Kingland for 42 years as a ski industry rep. Leland also taught skiing when he worked at Osborn and Ulland and started Powder Pigs Ski School with Peter & Nancy Ring.
Please vote online. If you are unable to vote online, you can use the paper ballot on your snail main newsletter. Votes must be cast by October 5, 2024.