Horses And Skiing Have A History.

Yes, skijoring.  But where, who, when?  Anyone ever skijor? What’s it like?

Credit: Alf Engen Museum

Many thanks to the Alf Engen Museum, Park City, UT, for contributing this spirited photo of skijoring in (hint, hint) the West.

The Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation was established in 1989 with a mission to preserve the rich history of skiing in the Intermountain Region. It strives to provide a world-class facility which highlights the many contributions made in ski area development, athletic competition, snow safety, ski innovation and ski teaching methods.

Last Week

Yes, indeed.  This is the venerable Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. The following was adapted from the Journal of the New England Ski Museum (Winter, 2019).:

The Aerial Tramway was the first such conveyance in North America and opened for business in Summer 1938. In its first summer and fall, it carried 100,000 passengers up Cannon Mt.  

That year, Hannes Schneider also arrived in North Conway to begin his stellar career as a ski instructor and innovator. Between the new tramway, the advent of Schneider, and the robust support of Harvey Dow Gibson, a North Conway-born New York financier, New Hampshire was poised to become a mecca for skiing.

Thanks again to the wonderful New England Ski Museum, now with two locations, a new  gallery and archive in North Conway, and at the base of this aerial tramway at Cannon.

One Comment

  1. Skijoring on XC skis is a kick, though I’ve never tried jumps. Horses, dogs, a mule, snowmobiles, a snowcat, a VW bug yes, but no jumps!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*