As ski season takes off, we’re highlighting a unique piece from the Wood River Museum of History & Culture’s collection: a Sun Valley Ski School Instructor jacket, likely dating from the late 1960s to early 1970s. This navy blue jacket is adorned with striking yellow, orange, and red stripes that stretch from wrist to shoulder, each stripe about an inch wide. A patch proudly displaying “Sun Valley Instructor” is stitched onto the front left side, and the interior tag reads “Sport Alm; Made in Kitzbuhel-Austria,” signalizing its European craftsmanship.
The Sun Valley Ski School has a storied history, deeply intertwined with the resort’s early years. When Sun Valley Resort was established in the 1930s, founders Averell Harriman and Count Felix Schaffgotsch aimed to introduce Americans to the thrill of skiing. Unlike Europe, where skiing was already well-established, Americans were less familiar with the sport, often perceiving it as an extreme and unattainable pursuit. To counter this, Harriman recruited some of the world’s finest Austrian ski instructors to come teach in Sun Valley to create an authentic European-style skiing experience.
The ski school began in 1936 with just six instructors. Its reputation quickly grew, and by 1946, the staff had expanded to 22 instructors. Under the leadership of Sigi Engl in 1961, the school boasted 58 skilled professionals. Engl, a legendary figure in the skiing world, helped transform Sun Valley into a premier destination for skiers of all levels. Today, visitors from across the globe continue to visit Sun Valley and learn how to ski from the town’s talented instructors who carry on the tradition of making winter sports accessible and enjoyable for generations. This instructor jacket is not just a piece of clothing; it’s a symbol of Sun Valley’s legacy in shaping the American ski experience.
Wood River Museum of History and Culture, 2021.01.60.
