Utah Deaf Ski Archive
Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Published in 2013
Updated in 2025
Published in 2013
Updated in 2025
Author’s Note
In 2013, I came across an article in Wasatch Magazine from November 2013 about the "Utah Ski Archives." This inspired me to create a special page called "Utah Deaf Ski Archives" on this webpage! As an avid skier, I'm excited to share some amazing photos of this incredible sport.
The Utah School for the Deaf has a significant history in Deaf skiing. In the past, students learned how to ski and truly enjoyed this exhilarating activity. Their enthusiasm led to the establishment of the White Eagle Ski Club on November 19, 1958. George G. Howell played a pivotal role in keeping the club vibrant. With Arthur Syrett as president and Judy Jenkins as secretary, the club started with twenty-three members (Jenkin, The Utah Eagle, February 1959). In 1960, it rebranded itself as the 'Ski Club,' a move that reflected its growing influence and broader participation in the sport. The club continued to grow and foster a strong community of Deaf skiers (Utahn, 1960).
The Utah School for the Deaf has a significant history in Deaf skiing. In the past, students learned how to ski and truly enjoyed this exhilarating activity. Their enthusiasm led to the establishment of the White Eagle Ski Club on November 19, 1958. George G. Howell played a pivotal role in keeping the club vibrant. With Arthur Syrett as president and Judy Jenkins as secretary, the club started with twenty-three members (Jenkin, The Utah Eagle, February 1959). In 1960, it rebranded itself as the 'Ski Club,' a move that reflected its growing influence and broader participation in the sport. The club continued to grow and foster a strong community of Deaf skiers (Utahn, 1960).
Arthur Valdez, 1968. Source: The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1968
The First Deaf Ski Convention was a significant event in deaf skiing history. It lasted a week and was held in Park City, Utah, on March 16, 1968. Arthur Valdez, a prominent figure in the Deaf skiing community and an alum of the Utah School for the Deaf, was the chairman. His assistants were W. David Mortensen and Rodney W. Walker, both respected alums. Their collective efforts and dedication made the convention a resounding success, marking a milestone in the development of the sport.
Utah is a paradise for Deaf skiers, known for its 'Greatest Snow on Earth' and excellent ski resorts. The combination of breathtaking landscapes and the rich history of Deaf skiing in this area makes for an unforgettable experience. I'm thrilled to share some skiing pictures with all of you, which reflect the love for the sport I inherited from my parents, John and Jeanne Becker.
Please enjoy these images, but remember, they are not for reproduction or sale. Your respect for the history and culture of Deaf skiing in Utah is greatly appreciated and helps preserve the legacy of this incredible sport!
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
Utah is a paradise for Deaf skiers, known for its 'Greatest Snow on Earth' and excellent ski resorts. The combination of breathtaking landscapes and the rich history of Deaf skiing in this area makes for an unforgettable experience. I'm thrilled to share some skiing pictures with all of you, which reflect the love for the sport I inherited from my parents, John and Jeanne Becker.
Please enjoy these images, but remember, they are not for reproduction or sale. Your respect for the history and culture of Deaf skiing in Utah is greatly appreciated and helps preserve the legacy of this incredible sport!
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
The boys from Utah School for the Deaf are getting ready for ski. Source: The Utah Eagle, February 1957
L-R: Harold W. Green, Superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind; Mrs. Eldon Checketts, President Ladies Auxiliary of Ogden Kiwanis Club, and John Cox, President, Ogden Kiwanis Club. Source: The Utah Eagle, January 1958
The students from the Utah School for the Deaf are skiing. Source: The Utah Eagle, 1960
Source: The Utah Eagle, 1962
Arthur Valdez, a member of the Usquebaugh Ski Club, 1966
UAD President Leon G. Curtis (left) gets a few words into Don Miller, winner of the Men's Division Ski Races. Source: The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1968
'Utah Hosts First Deaf Ski Convention.' Source: The UAD Bulletin, Spring 1968
A Slideshow of the Utah Eagle Magazines
References
Jenkin, Judy. White Eagle Ski Club. The Utah Eagle, vol. 70., no. 5 (February 1959): 6.
"Ski Club." Utahn, 1960.
"Utah Hosts First Deaf Ski Convention." The UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 2. (Spring 1968): 1 , 3 & 4.
"Ski Club." Utahn, 1960.
"Utah Hosts First Deaf Ski Convention." The UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 2. (Spring 1968): 1 , 3 & 4.
