Three Utahns, who for more than a third of a century promoted the fervor and fun of skiing to audiences worldwide, will be inducted into the Will and Jean Pickett Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
The honorees are Steve Bounous of Provo, Raelene Davis of Salt Lake City, and Bob Wheaton of Park City. Their names will be added to 91 other notables in the hall whose exploits founded, shaped, and enhanced the skiing landscape in the Intermountain West for more than 100 years.
The 22-year old hall of fame, named after two long-time ski advocates from Utah, is located in the Alf Engen Ski Museum housed in the S. J. (Joe) Quinney Winter Sports Center at Utah Olympic Park.
According to Annie Bommer, Executive Director of the museum, the induction ceremony will take place at The Chateaux Deer Valley on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6:00 p.m. with dinner and a cash bar preceding the ceremonies.
Reservations can be made at https://events.humanitix.com/hall-of-fame or by calling 435-658-4228. Individual reservations cost $165.00 and sponsorship tables of 10 cost $2,000. The reservation deadline is August 21.
The 2024 inductees:
Steve Bounous -- Bounous’ credentials range from Junior National slalom and giant slalom champion, to 1978/1979 NCAA All American for the University of Utah Ski Team, being a Pro Tour slalom winner, appearing in five Warren Miller movies, staging ski adventure and heli skiing tours in New Zealand, and coaching the Guatemalan Ski Team in the 1988 Winter Olympic/Paralympic Games. His coaching skills were most evident while serving as Executive Director and Coach of the Snowbird Sports Education Foundation from 1989 to 2019 where he instilled respect for the mountains, snow safety, and camaraderie among his coaches and students.
Raelene Davis -- For more than 35 years Davis was the North Star for skiers and riders world-wide, guiding them to Utah’s winter resorts in her role as Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Ski Utah. Through her efforts Utah ski areas have realized a three-fold increase in skier-days during the first quarter of this century. Her local ski/ride promotions became National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and Bring a Friend Skiing Initiative while her local Fifth Grade Passport and Fourth Grade Learn to Ski Programs have introduced 15,000 students to the sport annually.
Bob Wheaton -- Wheaton was a positive and dynamic force at Deer Valley Resort where he orchestrated its ascension into one of the world’s premier ski destinations. He started working at the resort in 1979 as its maintenance manager, then equipment manager, before becoming the general manager, and eventually president in 1997. His leadership acumen was founded in his deep respect for resort employees. They conveyed the sentiments to resort guests who in SKI Magazine reader surveys rated Deer Valley among the top three ski resorts in North America for 20 consecutive years and No. 1 an unprecedented eight times.
To nominate individuals for induction into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame, visit https://engenmuseum.org/nomination-process-intermountain-ski-hall-fame. The nomination deadline annually is at the end of February.
For a complete list of Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame inductees, visit https://engenmuseum.org/intermountain-ski-hall-of-fame.