The Alf Engen Ski Museum is one of two impressive anchor exhibits of the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center. The George Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games museum is the other. Here, you are more than a spectator - you're a participant! That's because our state-of-the-art interactive and virtual exhibits place you in the epicenter of the past, present and future of winter sports in the Intermountain Region. That's a great way to experience one of the most extensive collections of ski and Olympic/Paralympic Winter Games memorabilia in the U.S. Furthermore, the museum's comprehensive educational component gives school children a skiing-based foundation to study subjects such as the water cycle, physics and Utah's colorful history.
Some of our extensive displays showcase:
- The comprehensive Alf Engen Collection of trophies, medals, photos and clothing
- Ski innovations and innovators
- Ski jumping and gelande
- Alpine skiing and snowboarding
- Freestyle skiing, moguls and aerials
- Cross-country skiing
- Powder skiing and back-country skiing
- Snow safety/avalanche control
- Climatic conditions and "The Greatest Snow on Earth"
- Ski area development
- The Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame
- The Professional Ski Instructors of America - Intermountain Hall of Fame
- Donors
- Recent Donors
- Docents
- Partners
- Board of Trustees
- History
- Mission Statement
Benefactors
($1,000,000 + Donation)
George S. & D. D. Eccles Foundation
Emma Eccles Jones Foundation
Lawson, Janet Q.
S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney Foundation
Gold Donors
($100,000-$999,999 Donation)
Dr. Ezekial & Edna Wattis Dumke Foundation
Katherine & Ezekial R. Dumke Jr. Foundation
Marriner S. Eccles Foundation
Engen, Evelyn
Lawson, Frederick Q.
Quinney, David & Shari
Swartz Foundation (Jim & Susan)
Silver Donors
($5,000 - $99,999 Donation)
Adobe Foundation
Alta Ski Lifts Company
Anderson, Barbara Stewart
Cumming Foundation
Cumming, John & Kristi
Dreyfous, James & Geralyn
Duncan, Paul & Marilyn
Eccles, Spencer P. & Kristine
Engen, Alan & Barbara
Engen, Scott
Engen, Todd & Michelle
Fidelity Foundation
Gaddis, Jim & Barbara
Gilbert, G. S. Beckwith
Hyland, Libby
Imboden, Adolph
Johnson, Ted & Shirley
Knowles, Lawrence & Marilyn
Korologos, Tom C. & Ann
Janet Q. Lawson Foundation
Lawson, Peter Q.
Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation
Miller Ski Company
Mosser, Dr. Donn G. & Dr. Janet
Pickett, David and Nancie
Park City Foundation
Pickett, David & Nancie
Prince, JaLynn & Greg
Prothro, Mark & Diane
Ray, Quinney Nebeker
REISTER
Sackler, Dr. & Mrs. Richard
Saunders, Hy & Debra
Shrontz, Jody
Simon, Barbara Alley & Jerry
Summit County
Sweet, Jared
Ulbrich, Scott & Susanne
U.S. Forest Service
Utah Office of Museum Services
Wallace, M. Walker
Webber, Dick
Williams, Larry
Witter, Dean (Morgan Stanley)
Wells Fargo Bank<
Bronze Donors
($1,000 - $4,999 Donation)
Academy Studios
Altmann, Ruth Rogers
Amidon, David
Bamberger Foundation
Richard D. Bass Foundation
Beekley, W. Mason
Bounous, Junior & Maxine
Bower, John & Elizabeth
Briggs, William M.
Burt, Chad
Byrne Family, The
George Cartwright Family
Cocoran, John M.
Cluff, Whitney & Francis
Deer Valley Resort
Douglas, Ronald & Nylene
Duncan, David R. L., M.D. & Irma W.
Durham, John & Shirley
Durham, Wilby & Betty
Eccles, Spencer F. & Cleone P. Family Foundation
Ferries, Chuck & Nancy
Fischer, Mark J
Fischer So
Fletcher, Mel & Peggy
Fox, Leo W.
Fuegi, Hans & Sally
Goldminer’s Daughter
Goodman, Irvin & Dorthy
Hall, Donald j. & Adele C.
IBM Corporation
Imboden, Adolph
International Skiing History Association
Johnson, Ted & Shirley
Kallerud, Thor & Barbie
Keller Family Foundation
Keller, Susan Ann
Kessler, Alfred E.
Kogstad, Rolf
Kunau, Lex & Celia
Lange, Keith & Alice
Langford, Kirk
Senator Grant & Maralyn Larson Fund
Lawrence Goodman Fund
McMullen Family Foundation
Meldrum, Daniel & Patricia
Merriman, III, Charles H.
Michaels, H.C. & B. A.
Miller, Earl A.
Nebeker, Dick & Ann
Nelsen, Dan & Heidi
Newman, Frank
Park City Chamber/Bureau
Park City Sunrise Rotary
Penske, Roger S.
Pineridge Winery
Professional Ski Instructors of America
Prosek, Tom
Prothro, J. Patrick
Quinnovate
Roberts, Linda
Rowan, Chuck & Suzanne
Royal Street Corporation
Rytting, Bill & Suzy
Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau
Shaffer, Richard & Kay (Nagel)
Shane, Elfreide
Snyder, Daniel & Debra
Spedden, Rush & Betty
Steele, Ron & Julie
The Summit Institute
Sundance Resort
Sweeney, Ed
Taylor, Larry
Thomas, Richard S. & Susan G.
Thompson, Dr. Gregory C. & Karen S.
Underdog Foundation
U of U Athletic Department
U of U J. Willard Marriott Library
Utah Humanities Council
Vail Resorts
Vandehei, David & Susan
Wasatch Advisors, Inc.
Weisel, Thomas
Wild Old Bunch
Willard L. Eccles Foundation
Wythe, Henry & Susan
Yamada, Barbara
Yerman, Bob
Zions Bank
Alf Engen Ski Museum Docents
Sue Bhanos
Bonnie Bower
Judy Brophy
Joyce Cossin
Barbara Engen
Ute Fowler
Marit Glenne
Karen Halverson
Marilyn Jameson
Rusty Martin
Ray Miamidian
Ann Miller
Janis Pierce
Fred Rubinfeld
Dan Steffen
Jim Tedford
David Vandehei
Susan Vandehei
To learn more about joining our docent team, please contact Connie Nelson at cnelson@uolf.org
Numerous partners provide resources, talent, guidance and expertise that such an undertaking must have to thrive:
Ski History Partners
- University of Utah J Willard Marriott Library Ski Archives
- Utah State Historical Society
- International Ski History Association
- Alta Historical Society
Museum Partners
- Utah Museums Association
- American Association of Museums
- Park City Historical Society and Museum
- U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum
Community Partners
- Park City Chamber Bureau
- Park City Community Foundation
- Summit County
- Park City Summit County Arts Council
- Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau
- SeniorsSkiing.com
- Swaner EcoCenter
Winter Sports Partners
- Utah Olympic Park
- Professional Ski Instructors of America - Intermountain
- Ski Utah
- Beaver Mountain Ski Area
- Snowbasin
- Brian Head Resort
- Powder Mountain
- Solitude Mountain Resort
- Brighton Resort
- Deer Valley
- Cherry Peak
- Sundance Resort
- Nordic Valley
- Eagle Point
- Park City Mountain Resort
- Snowbird
- Alta Ski Area
- Woodward Park City
A dedicated board of trustees guides the Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation. Many have been members since the Foundation's inception in 1991. You are welcome to contact any of the board members for additional information about the foundation, the Alf Engen Museum or the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center.
Board of Trustees
Mr. Tom Kelly, Chairman
Mr. David L. Vandehei, Chairman Emeritus
Mr. Alan K. Engen, Chairman Emeritus
Mr. Scott C. Ulbrich, Chairman Emeritus
Mike Korologos, Vice President
Barbara Yamada, Secretary
Michael R. Maughan, Treasurer
Connie Nelson, Executive Director
Mr. David Davenport
Mr. John A. Durham
Mr. Spencer P. Eccles
Mr. James Gaddis
Dr. Todd Engen
Mr. Herbert C. Livsey
Ms. Barbara McConvill
Mr. David Quinney
Mr. Nathan Rafferty
Mr. Ron Steele
Dr. Greg C. Thompson
Past Chairman/President
Alan K. Engen (1989 - 2004)
Scott Ulbrich (2004 - 2009)
David L. Vandehei (2009-2017)
- 1989 The idea of a ski museum originated when a group of ski history enthusiasts, headed by Alan Engen, realized the need for a facility recognizing those ski and snow sport pioneers and athletes who had made significant contributions to winter sports in the Intermountain Region. A small A-frame structure was first considered as a repository for Alf Engen's considerable collection of trophies and awards as well as other historical memorabilia. However, the building "grew" into a 29,000 square foot structure, thanks to contributions from the Janet Quinney Lawson Foundation, David and Shar Quinney and many other generous donors. The location of the museum was determined by two factors: its close proximity to storied Ecker Hill and to the venues of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
- August 1993 Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation is formally established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
- August 1999 Formal site dedication for proposed Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center building.
- March 2000 Groundbreaking for the Quinney Center. Utah Winter Sports Park is renamed Utah Olympic Park.
- September 2001 Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center building is loaned to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee to serve as a media center during the 2002 Winter Games.
- March 2002 Displays and exhibits are installed in the Alf Engen Ski Museum.
- July 2002 Public Grand Opening of the building.
- September 2002 Bronze sculptures of Joe Quinney and Alf Engen, crafted by Kraig Varner of Lehi, Utah, and funded by the Quinney and Engen families, are unveiled. The inaugural class of Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame is inducted.
- May 2004 Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation sells the Quinney Center to the Utah Athletic Foundation.
- June 2005 Grand Opening of the George Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame is renamed the Will and Jean Pickett Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame in honor of two local contributors to ski history.
- May 2006 Alf Engen Ski Museum receives "Best of State" honors in the "Museum and Attractions" category.
- September 2007 New museum entry, highlighting each decade's skiing history, is installed.
Interesting Facts
- The Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center and Alf Engen Ski Museum were funded entirely with private donations. Total cost of the building: $10.5M. Major contributions were given by the Quinney and Eccles families.
- The Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center covers an area of 29,000 square feet.
- The Quinney Center was designed by Edwards & Daniels Architects (EDA) and constructed by Jacobson Construction Co. The exhibits in the Alf Engen Ski Museum were crafted by Academy Studios of San Francisco.
- The Alf Engen Ski Museum is the only regional ski museum in the United States to be named for an individual. All others are named for regional locations. (Sun Valley Museum, Colorado Ski Museum, etc.)
- The Alf Engen Ski Museum partners with the University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library Ski Archives. These two groups collaborate to document and provide historical information pertaining to the winter sports industry to the public.
- To date, over 8,100 students have participated in the museum's field-trip program since its inception in 2002. Grant monies have enabled us to pay all field-trip costs, thus giving many students their first time ever mountain experience.
- The "Peak Conditions" display explaining the weather conditions that create Utah's renown powder snow, was donated by KSL television. Len Randolph, KSL meteorologist who narrates the video, was most supportive of our efforts and was instrumental in producing the informational presentation and encouraging KSL to donate the display.
- Most of the skis, clothing, and other equipment has been donated to the museum.
- The voice of Alf Engen in the "Ask Alf" kiosks is actually the voice of Nic Nichol, long-time supervisor in the Alf Engen Ski School at Alta, Utah, and friend of the Engen family.
- Alf Engen passed away in July, 1997, at the age of 88. He taught skiing at Alta until 1989, retiring at the age of 80.
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Alf's trophies tell many unique stories:
The spoons and other utensils are prizes won by Alf in Norway for competitions in skiing, soccer, and singing.The watch was won by Alf in a 1930s jumping tournament. He replaced the band with a woman's watchband and presented it to his wife-to-be, Evelyn Pack, as an engagement gift.
The baton was presented to Alf by Maurice Abravanel, conductor of the Utah Symphony, as a tribute to his leadership in the community.
The 1936 Wheaties ("Breakfast of Champions") cereal box featured Alf as one of its champions. Inclusion on this box cost Alf his place on the 1936 Olympic team because he was declared a professional. As Alf loved to say, "I never got paid, but I got lots of Wheaties. All of Salt Lake City got Wheaties."
In 1999, the Salt Lake Tribune named Alf the "Athlete of the 21st Century."
To preserve the rich history of skiing in the Intermountain Region by providing a world-class facility which highlights the many contributions made in ski area development, athletic competition, snow safety, ski innovation and ski teaching methods. The specific goals to accomplish this mission include:
- Providing an educational, as well as entertaining interactive presentation of materials, which tie to the core curriculum of schools in the surrounding communities.
- Providing a rich assortment of interactive displays which allow visitors to gain insight into many of the ski legends and ski pioneers who played a key role in the development of winter sports throughout the Intermountain Area.
- Providing a vast assortment of historical artifacts which increase the public’s overall awareness of our skiing heritage.
Concept
The Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation was established in 1989 for the purpose of constructing a modest ski museum in honor of ski legend, Alf Engen. With the selection of Salt Lake City to host the 2002 Winter Olympics, the museum concept was dramatically expanded to include a Salt Lake 2002 Olympic gallery and other features which would transform the modest ski museum into a winter sports cultural center. In recognition of a lead gift from the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation and the life-long friendship of the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame members, Alf Engen and Joe Quinney, the Engen Foundation Board of Trustees unanimously agreed that the facility should be named the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center with the Alf Engen Ski Museum as the primary cornerstone of the building.