- 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.
- 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."
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