Austrian born Sepp Kober was the primary builder of the southeastern United States ski industry which today is the largest feeder market for resorts nationwide. Twenty ski area in the south combine to teach more beginner lessons than any U.S. region. There are more ski clubs and club members than in any other region. Sepp Kober pioneered these significant developments during the formative years from the 1950s to the 1970s. For these contributions he has earned regional and national honors.

With the advent of improved snowmaking he was the first to prove that skiing in the south could be a reality. It all started in 1958 when he became the first ski instructor in the south at a rope tow serviced area called Weiss Knob in West Virginia. Shortly afterward he was hired on by The Homestead to develop every aspect of its skiing operation to build its winter business. He ran a first-class ski school and resort at The Homestead and crisscrossed the region advising and encouraging others to develop ski areas on their own. As the area’s first certified instructor he taught countless others to be instructors, designed slopes and provided areas and shops with accredited sources of inventory and equipment. For his efforts he has been recognized as an Honorary Lifetime Member of the PSIA’s Eastern Division.

In 1960 he co-founded the Mid-Atlantic Ski Areas Association with “Doc” DesRoches. In 1962 he was a founding member of the NSAA representing the southeast region. In 1970 he founded the Southeastern Ski Representatives Association serving as its president for six years.

Sepp Kober is recognized by everyone as “The Father of Southern Skiing.” With the areas in the south introducing tens of thousands to skiing, it is appropriate to honor the man who got it all started.

Sepp Kober passed away this past August (2010). However, he lived to see his induction into the Hall of Fame.