SKI AND SNOWBOARD HALL OF FAME NEWS

Dr. J. Leland "Sos" Sosman (1920-2008)

Dr. J. Leland Sosman, Hall of Fame class of 1999, passed away April 3.  He was one of USSA's most recognized volunteers being honored with the Julius Blegen Award in 1976 for his dedication to the USSA and the International Ski Federation.

Serving on several FIS and USSA alpine committees and officating at six Olympic Winter Games, Dr. Sosman dedicated more than 30 years to the sport of skiing.  His contribution to Eastern skiing was felt in the Waterville Valley's Black and Blue Trail Smashers Club, New Hampshire.

Last year the USSA announced that they will start an award in his name, the Dr. J. Leland Sosman Award, which will be presented annually to a member of the USSA's physician's pool.  For a more detailed story visit the USSA website at: www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/news/general/sosmandeath.html

D.R.C. Brown (1912 - 2008) 

David R.C. Brown Jr., inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Honored Member of the Class of 2005 passed away on March 10.   He was highly regarded as the man who had a lead Aspen's resurgence from an abandoned mining town into a world class ski resort.

A graduate of Yale University he spent much of his youth growing up in Aspen and enjoyed everything to do with its out doors attractions.  A PT boat skipper during World War Two he loved to ranch.  In 1957 he took over the fledgling Aspen Ski Corporation retiring in 1979.  During that time he oversaw its development into a major ski area growing from 25 to 1200 employees and becoming the first US ski resort to surpass the million mark in annual skier visits.

He served on many commissions and was well known for his willingness to serve in many volunteer projects.  Among them was being a founding President of the National Ski Areas Association.  He was a true patriarch of Colorado skiing whose work impacted the sport acros the country. 

CLASS OF 2007 INDUCTED  AT SIA '08 IN LAS VEGAS

On January 31st, the Class of 2007 was inducted into the U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.  The event was attended by over 215 people representing the snow sports industry in the United States who were participating in the annual SIA tradeshow in Las Vegas.  It was one of the largest gatherings for an induction event of the Hall of Fame.

All of the members of the class were present including Lois Kircher who represented her late husband, Everett Kircher and Irene Bjorck the sister of the late Mitch Cubberley. 

Glen Plake's Down Home Tour makes a stop at the Hall of Fame

Extreme skiing icon and snowsport ambassador Glen Plake, with his wife Kimberly, paid a visit to the U.S. National Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, January 5.  The couple made the stop as part of their 2008 Down Home Tour. The Plakes spent the afternoon touring the museum exhibits and sharing stories.   Flying under the radar, Plake's Down Home Tour follows the roads less traveled to the heart of American ski culture.