Axel Andresen (1896 - 1969)
Axel Andresen is recognized for pioneering the sport of ski jumping in Utah. In 1912, he immigrated to Salt Lake City from Norway, then in 1914, he organized a group of ski jumping enthusiasts in the Salt Lake Valley, holding the first amateur ski jumping tournament in 1915.
In 1923, Axel was instrumental in forming the Norwegian American Athletic Club, the first ski club west of the Mississippi, which became the Utah Ski Club in the early 1930s. This organization attracted world-class jumpers to competitions in Utah. In ski history, Axel Andresen stands out as a true ski pioneer.
