Class of 2017
Inductees were Honored in Squaw Valley, CA
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
Snowsport Pioneers Making History
In August, over 250 industry advocates voted to determine the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2018. The OUTSTANDING individuals listed below were chosen from a pool of over 70 nominees to earn a spot in this year’s class.
Ed Ferguson
Chelan, WA
Known as “Airborne” Eddie Ferguson, he helped to create the hotdog freestyle movement in the 1970s. His worldwide camps reached over 4,000 students. He captured the World Freestyle Championships in 1973, later commentated for ABC’s Wide World of Sports and was the youngest PSIA instructor at the age of 16.
Herman Gollner
Verdi, NV
A coach, competitor and inventor, Herman Gollner was best know for performing the world’s first double backward somersault in 1965 and the first triple forward somersault in 1967. In 1968 he also completed the first full somersault with a full twist on skis, known as the “Moebius Flip.” The aerialist also invented the screw-in hinged alpine pole that reduced race delays in alpine races around the world.
Marty Hall
Durham, NH
Legendary U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Coach brought the American team to the world’s stage in the 1970s. Marty Hall played a key role in coaching Bill Koch to America’s first (and only) cross country Olympic medal in 1976. He also helped lead the debut of women at the Nordic World Championships in 1970. In 1981 he published “One Stride Ahead: An Expert Guide to Cross Country Skiing.”
Michael & Steven Marolt
Aspen, CO
Mike and Steve Marolt are two of the most accomplished ski mountaineers alive. The Identical twins have combined genetic gifts and actuarial efficiency to build one of the greatest resumes of pure-style climbing of ski descents in the world – climbing with no supplemental oxygen, porters or altitude drugs. These brothers are true pioneers in Himalayan skiing with 13 expeditions in that region alone. They spent most of their lives climbing and skiing, entirely together, without exception, nearly 50 of the highest and greatest peaks in the world including the North Ridge of Everest. They were the first Americans to ski from an 8,000m Peak (26,273′) at Shishapangma Tibet.
Steve McKinney*
Olympic Valley, CA
The late Steve McKinney was the dominant speed skier in the world in the 1970’s and 80’s setting a world ski speed record in 1974 of 117.7 mph. After breaking his own record several times, in 1987 he skied over 130 mph and was the world speed skiing record holder from 1977-82. He also helped design the trout head helmet and brought other aerodynamic equipment onto the speed skiing scene – leading to dense foam ski boot design.
* Deceased.
Shaun Palmer
Lake Tahoe, CA
Known as one of the forefathers of extreme sport, Shaun competed in professional snowboarding for almost 20 years. His prowess in the pipe from ‘1995 – ‘2014 earned him six X-Games gold medals, another gold the 2002 Gravity Games and a berth onto the 2010 Vancouver Olympic snowboardcross team but an injury prevented him from being named and he did not compete. He received the 2001 ESPY Award for action sports athlete of the year. Shaun attracted thousands to snowboarding.
Thom Weisel
San Francisco, CA
Thom Weisel’s leadership and financial support over four decades directly impacted over 200 Olympic and World Championship medals. An accomplished speed skater himself, he began his relationship with the U.S. Ski Team in the 1970s, serving as a trustee and a longtime leader of the team’s foundation. No other individual has had such a sustained impact on the organization as Weisel.
The National Voting Panel is comprised of the board members from:
-US Ski and Snowboard
-The US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
-The International Skiing History Association (ISHA)
-The National Ski Patrol (NSP)
-Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA-AASI)
-Snowsport Industries America (SIA)
-National Ski Area Association (NSAA)
-North American Snowsports Journalists Assoc.
-Members of US Ski and Snowboard Awards committee
-Other appointed industry individuals appointed by the USSSHoF board Chairman
To apply for a position on the NVP please email [email protected] with your name, industry connections and resume along with one paragraph on why you feel you are qualified to vote. You can also fill out our contact form online.