Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Alf Engen ski video collection, 1938-2004
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Engen, Alf, 1909-1997
- Title
- Alf Engen ski video collection
- Dates
- 1938-2004 (inclusive)19382004
- Quantity
- 17 16mm films, 65 VHS videocassettes, 39 U-Matic videocassettes, 14 Betacam videocassettes
- Collection Number
- A0391
- Summary
- The Alf Engen ski video collection (1938-2004) contains footage that reveals the evolution of the sport of skiing and of ski facilities and resorts, including news reports and interviews featuring Engen and footage Engen competeing in National Championship events, instructing ski school, and skiing with family and friends. Alf Engen was an internationally recognized Nordic and Alpine skier instrumental in the development of the ski industry in Utah and the American West.
- Repository
-
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860
Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. Five business days advanced notice required. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Alf Engen (1909-1997) was born in Mjondallen, Norway, the oldest of three boys. Engen's father died when he was only nine years old, but he had already implemented the joy of skiing into the hearts of his sons, Alf, Sverre and Corey (Kaare). The boys learned to ski jump at a young age and became well known for thier Nordic ability in their homeland.
In 1929 Engen immigrated to the United States with his younger brother, Sverre. They Initialy settled in Chicago where they joined the American-Norwegian Athletic Club. He and several club members traveled to Westby, Wisconsin to participate in a ski jumping meet. With his first jump in the Westby Nordic event, Engen broke the world's record for distance ski jumping and was invited to tour the North American Nordic circuit with professional jumpers.
In 1931 he settled in Salt Lake City, Utah. His youngest brother, Corey, and their mother immigrated to the United States in 1933 and the three Engen Brothers travled the United States as professional jumpers, breaking Nordic records and gaining recognition everywhere they went.
In 1937, Engen married Evelyn Pack, regained his amateur standing, and ranked among the top Nordic skiers in the world. He helped in planning and developing around thirty ski areas in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming while working for the United States Forest Service as a winter sports advisor. In 1938 he was invited to represent the Sun Valley Ski Club in Nordic jumping. While living in Idaho, he taught himself how to Alpine ski and spent time off the slopes preforming in several movies and newreels. In 1940, he finished first in the National Four-way in Seattle, Washington.
Engen assisted with the operation and ski lessons at Alta and Snow Basin Ski Schools during the 1945-46 ski season and later returned to Utah to direct the Alta Ski School, the Little Mountain Ski School, and the Deseret News Free Ski School after coaching the United States Olympic Ski Team in 1948. He received the Skier's Hall of Fame Award in 1956.
Alf Engen died in 1997 at the age of 88.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Alf Engen ski video collection (1938-2004) contains footage that reveals the evolution of the sport of skiing and of ski facilities and resorts, including news reports and interviews featuring Engen and footage Engen competeing in National Championship events, instructing ski school, and skiing with family and friends.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel | ||
| 1 | Engen family skiing
Silent, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1950-1960 |
| 2 | Engen family skiing
Silent, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette |
1960s |
| 3 | Alta ski jumps
Sound, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1969 |
| 4 | North American Ski Instructors conference
Sound, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1970 |
| 5 | Sports Club: Alf Engen skiing
Sound, black and white
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette
Engen demonstrates basic ski technique and maneuvering tricks.
|
1976 |
| 6 | National Four-Way Championship
Silent, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1940 |
| 7 | Ski gulls
Sound, black and white
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette
Early skiing.
|
undated |
| 8 | Ultra powder
Sound, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, Betacam videocassette
Alf Engen and others skiing untracked powder.
|
|
| 9 | Summer skiing at Mt. Baldy, California
Sound, black and white
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1959 |
| 10 | Peruvian Lodge film
Sound, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette
Promotional film for the Alta Peruvian lodge narrated by American ski legends Lowell Thomas, Alf Engen, Alan Engen, Stein Erickson, Buddy Wagner, and Junior Bounous.
|
1960 |
| 11 | Peruvian Lodge film
Silent, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1970 |
| 12 | Alf and Alan Engen skiing
Sound, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette
Alf Engen skiing with his son Alan Engen.
|
1950s |
| 13 | Old Sun Valley
Silent, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette
Various people skiing and at Sun Valley Resort in Idaho as well as races held at the resort.
|
1950-1960 |
| 14 | National Jumping Championship
Silent, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1938 |
| 15 | Alf and Alan skiing at Alta
Silent, color
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette
Alf Engen skiing with his son, Alan Engen at the Alta Ski Resort in Utah's Wasatch Mountains.
|
|
| 16 | Alf Engen Ski School
Sound, black and white
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
undated |
| 17 | Snow trails
Sound, black and white
16mm film, VHS videocassette, U-matic videocassette |
1940-1950 |
| cassette | ||
| 18 | White ecstacy: the ski chase U-matic videocassettes |
undated |
| 19 | Dr. Quakenbush skis the headwall U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 20 | Skiing with Alf Engen and family U-matic videocassette |
|
| 21 | Alta: the first fifty years U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 22 | Legends of American skiing 1849-1940 U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 23 | National Broadcasting Company (NBC): Alf Engen and Mike Lenard U-matic videocassette |
1984 |
| 24 | National Broadcasting Company (NBC): Alf Engen U-matic videocassette, VHS videocassette
This news story, focused on Alf Engen, examines his career as an athlete and ski instructor, then shifts to Engen's experience with injuries. The segment also shows Engen skiing at age 85.
|
1992 |
| 25 | Larry Warren interview: Alf Engen at Bear Hollow U-matic videocassette, Betacam videocassette, VHS videocassette |
undated |
| 26 | Keith West interview: Alf Engen at Alan Engen's home U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 27 | Ski riders of the Wasatch U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 28 | Skiing the American way U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 29 | Eighth Interski U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 30 | Mike Lenard interview: Alf Engen U-matic videocassette, VHS videocassette, Betacam videocassette |
1992 |
| 31 | Alta's 50th anniversary Gelande U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 32 | Alan Engen footage U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 33 | The white badge U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 34 | Sixth Interski U-matic videocassette |
undated |
| 35 | National Ski Academy (NSA) certification directors meeting U-matic videocassette |
1959 |
| 36 |
Playtime Journey newsreel: First Deseret News Ski School, Ecker Hill ski jumping U-matic videocassette, VHS videocassett |
undated |
| 37 | For the love of skiing: a snapshot of early Alta ski history VHS videocassettes, Betacam videocassette |
undated |
| 38 | Alf Engen: an American ski legend VHS videocassette
The annals of ski jumping and powder snow come to life in this eighteen minute snapshot of skiing pioneer, Alf Engen. Narrated by his son, Alan Engen, this presentation shows Alf, America's 20th century "Renaissance Skier" as: Former World Ski Jumping Champion, winner of 16 U.S National Skiing Championship Titles, U.S. Olympic Team Coach, "Father of the powder skiing technique", Ski Area designer, and instructor to hundreds of thousands of skiers.
Special Collections holds limited edition #1/100 of this movie as well as autographed 3/4" videocassettes and 16mm films.
|
undated |
| 39 | Alta photo and video: Alf Engen Ski School awards, Alta Peruvian Lodge banquet VHS videocassette
Emeritus awards: Wally Mears and Bob "Pepi" Smith
Hall of fame: Evelyn Engen.
|
1994 April 17 |
| 40 | Construction of the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center and Alf Engen Ski Museum VHS videocassette |
undated |
| 41 | Wolfgang Lert ski memories VHS videocassette |
undated |
| 42 | Rasmussen art unveiling VHS videocassette |
2004 January 23 |
| 43 | Park City, Ski Betacam videocassette
The Park City film contains footage of old Park City and various interviews pertaining to the future development of the area.
The Ski film contains footage of early development of Park City Ski Area. It also contains footage of ski racing.
|
undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Skis and skiing--United States--History--Sources
- Skis and skiing--Utah--History--Sources
Personal Names
- Engen, Alan K.
- Engen, Sverre
Corporate Names
- Alf Engen Ski School
- Deseret News Ski School
Geographical Names
- Alta (Utah)
Form or Genre Terms
- Moving images
