S T R O N G M I N D S • S T R O N G
B O D I E S • S T R O N G F U T U R E S
A Proud Partner of SVSEF for the past 50 years!
And a future partner for the next 50 years.
ELEVATE YOUR EXPERIENCE. ELEVATE YOUR PERFORMANCE. STURTEVANTS-SV.COM
An Introduction Jack Simpson, Pete Lane, Jim Savaria and Jane Kneeland are the true pioneers of modern day ski education foundations. Their ambitious vision propelled the Sun Valley Ski Team into the competitive arena with tools to allow for the future growth of the athletes and the organization. Once the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s 501(c)(3) status was established, the founders were able to reach out for tax-exempt contributions. These contributions allowed the organization to grant scholarships to deserving families so that all Wood River Valley youngsters would have the opportunity to join the ski team without financial hardship. In the years since its inception, SVSEF’s financial aid program has allowed hundreds of local athletes the opportunity to participate on SVSEF teams who otherwise would not have been able to join. The foresight of SVSEF’s founders allowed the team to grow and excel. The original 40 Alpine and Nordic program participants in 1966 has expanded to an enrollment of over 500 youngsters competing on all five ski and snowboard teams today. With SVSEF’s recent designation as the first U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Training facility for all five snowsport disciplines (Alpine, Cross country, Freestyle, Freeskiing and Snowboard), it’s clear how brilliant the founders were in putting forth the ski foundation in 1966! SVSEF’s founders wanted our youngsters—regardless of their ability or financial means—to have a sport and discipline that would carry them successfully through life. Not every athlete will be a world champion, but each SVSEF participant takes away from this special program important lessons and skills that apply to all aspects of life. The founders, wherever they are, must be very proud! Lane Monroe Program Director/Executive Director 1971–1973 and 1975–1996
“I was gone from 1973–1975 with the U.S. Ski Team, and that was when I brought Michel Rudigoz in. When I came back, Rudi took the job with the U.S. Ski Team and the rest is history! I always wanted to say that!”
Lane Monroe in the 80’s
1967 Ski Club Awards, from left, Holly Harris, Susie Patterson, Evan Lister, Gretchen Hecht, Darrel Harris, Justine Hecht and Doran Hecht
We hope you enjoy revisiting the fun we have had over the past 50 years. In no way have we been able to honor everyone who has touched our organization or captured every amazing moment. Please know we would not be embarking on our next half-century if not for each and every one of you. – SVSEF
Left, coach Boone Lennon and Heather Flood; Right, coach Andy Gilbert and Kaitlyn Farrington
1971 Ski Club Championships with Gary Hammond, Annie Corrock, Lane Monroe and Pete Patterson
Peder Monsen, Glenn Janss and Adi Erber enjoying the Janss Pro-Am Classic
Two-time U.S. National Champion Kevin Swigert
Miles Havlick
Cordy Snyder, Jimmy Grossman and Ashley Snyder
Bennett Snyder, Wyatt Minor and Buey Grossman
World Junior Team members Pat Casey, Morgan Hogue and Ian Skinner
Lining Lake Creek for Olympic Grand Prix
HILLARY MAYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHY
Chase Josey, X Games Oslo
Danielle Crist
Alli Rathfon
SVSEF Freestyle
Erin Smith
Inaugural SVSEF Cross Country Ski Team, 1972
SVSEF Cross Country Ski Team, 2015
Olympians Sondra Van Ert and Picabo Street (gold and silver medalist) at Olympic Day
Kaitlyn Farrington gets a black diamond to go with her Olympic gold medal
Payton Bacca
Paralympic champion Muffy Davis
Christin Cooper homecoming, Hailey Airport, 1982
Bill Janss
Janss Pro-Am Classic
Adam Heaney, Mike Jaquet, Jeremy Herman, Christina Butler, Chris Hall, Brian Jaquet, John Rowland, Martha Pendl, Trevor Patzer and Rick Kapala
Anneka Thompson, Christine Estep, Kelley Sinnott, Kate Stone and Tia Vontver
Tatum Minor, Janss Pro-Am, 2016
Dave Koonce, Billy Collins and Jamie Collins
Eliza Marks, Katie Markthaler and Giselle Harmon
HILLARY MAYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHY
Tanner Farrow Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships Sun Valley, 2016
Coach Michel Rudigoz
Pat Savaria March Slalom Derby
Pat Savaria and son, Austin
Wing Tai Barrymore
Ruben Macaya; Doran Key, Jeff Fagerholm and Burr Sproatt; Andy Ware
Rob Landis; Tyler Palmer; Kate Berman
SVSEF Cross Country Team, 1983
SVSEF Comp Team, 2014
Loni Unser, Kristen Monahan, Annika Landis and Emily Siegel
Coach Erika Rixon
Claire Cetera
Clara Jenner
Trevor Hattabaugh
Randy Flood
Hailey Duke
Cross Country Devo, Boulder Yurt trip
Cross Country Devo, Bruneau Sand Dunes camp out
Chris Key, Steve Cole, Benjy Walker, Kirk Mason, Twyla Bulcher, Doran Key and Annie Corrock; Dave Bingham and Catherine Glaccum; Brian Caulkins
Don Wiseman; Rick Kapala
Walker Pate
SVSEF’s Reid Pletcher and Jake Adicoff, 2014 Sochi Paralympics
SVSEF Alpine camp, New Zealand, 2000
SVSEF Alpine camp, New Zealand, 2016
Scotty McGrew
Scott McGrew and D Team
Josh Blackburn, Lukas DeWolfe, Ellie Polk, Bel Clayton and Grace Pepin, Olympic Day, 2014
Henry Cherp Sun Valley Freestyle Spectacular Sun Valley, 2016
Alex LaFleur Sun Valley Freestyle Spectacular Sun Valley, 2016
1975 Cross Country Junior National Team, from left, coach Rob Keisel, John Richards, Patty Syms, Sue Shay, Bridget Sewell and Mark Siemon
Front to back: Peter Wolter, Max Polito, Leo Lukens and Luke Brecheen
Young Christin Cooper
Christin Cooper, 1977
50 Years in the Life of SVSEF Half of a century is quite a span of time when one considers SVSEF’s astounding growth. Looking back, the evolution of SVSEF in many ways mirrors the story of the Wood River Valley. SVSEF has grown from a startup local alpine ski program led by coaches in cowboy hats to an internationally successful winter sports program that regularly elevates local youth to the very top step of the Olympic podium. During this same period of time, our town has grown from a sleepy sheep ranching and mining community to a globally recognized destination resort. Though SVSEF has experienced tremendous growth over the years, the essential nature of the organization remains unchanged. SVSEF is a transformational community asset that enriches the lives of the youth of our community. We win more than our fair share of ski races along the way, but that’s the result of everything positive that happens between an athlete, teammates and coaches. Our efforts are rooted in the belief that real success must be built on loving the life of skiing and ski racing. When we look back at the last50 years, it’s breathtaking to consider the accomplishments. Think about it! There have been countless practices, race trips and podiums, and every one of them has contributed to our essential character. Our town is full of former U.S. National Team members, U.S. National Champions and Olympians, and they inspire us all by showing what is possible when you dare to aspire and risk. More importantly, our community is built upon the thousands of hardworking former SVSEF team members who have taken their experiences in skiing and forged lives of character and purpose. SVSEF’s mission, then and now, goes well beyond the nuts and bolts of training and ski racing. Our efforts in skiing, on behalf of our athletes and our community, contribute to the core elements of a life well lived. We have been fortunate over the past 50 years to have the support of so many who share this vision. Together, with all those who love skiing and support SVSEF, our athletes and coaches are sure to charge into the next 50 years with the same enthusiasm and effort. And when we reach the century mark, our success will have multiplied many times over. Thank you for sharing in our vision and mission. Rick Kapala SVSEF Cross Country Program Director 1987–Present
Rick Kapala
We genuinely thank all who have contributed throughout the years in capturing our athletes and our programs. As so many photos are from SVSEF archives, we cannot properly credit each photographer.
Our sincere appreciation to Sun Valley Company for 50 great years on snow.
www.svsef.org The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation would like to extend a sincere thank you to Sturtevants for underwriting this photo book celebrating fifty seasons of SVSEF snowsports in Sun Valley.