ropeways.net | Home | Tourism | 2022-01-26

SkiUtha Podcast: Alf Engen - The Legend of Alta

As skiers, we’re drawn to legendary ski runs. Like the imposing rock face of Alf’s High Rustler that stands sentinel over Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Alta Ski Area. A quarter century since his passing, the legend of Alta icon Alf Engen lives on. Last Chair host Tom Kelly explores the life of the Norwegian immigrant who helped plan the original Alta and served as its director of skiing through tales from his son, Alan Engen. It’s a remarkable look into the early days of skiing and how the culture 

The legend of Alf Engen goes back to the 1920s when Alf brought his brothers to America from Norway. In the midwest and later out in the mountains, they found a home in America as skiers. Alf became a great ski jumping champion and world record holder at Ecker Hill, near Park City Mountain. He spent time at Sun Valley but ultimately settled in Utah. In the 1930s, he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service to scout potential ski areas as the sport was booming. That led him to the mining town of Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon.


Back
Add Photos
Print


Google Adsense