Alf Engen

Bio
Category: 
Competitive Skier
Ski Pioneer
Ski Sport Innovator

Alf actively competed in alpine and nordic events, and was a 16-time U.S. National Jumping Champion. In 1940, he was only person to win the National Four-Way Skiing Championship by placing first in each event: downhill, slalom, jumping, and cross country. 

From 1931 to 1935, Alf was the National Professional Jumping Champion. In 1937, he was the Canadian and North American Champion, then in 1942, the U.S. Open Slalom and Downhill Champion. In 1948, he coached the U.S. Olympic Ski Team in London, and in 1949, he became the Ski School Director at Alta. 

Alf worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a technical advisor, assisting with planning and developing recreation areas in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming, including the development of Snowbasin. He was the first person to receive chutzpa, an award for outstanding contributions to international recognition of Utah's skiing.

In 1948, Alf was the Director of the Deseret News Ski School from its conception. In 1949, when the first Intermountain Certification Exam was created, Alf was one of the administrators.