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Show Page 12 The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume II, Issue V February 2000 Monument Honoring John Paul Jones Dedicated By Kera Fuller Snowbasin has grown steadily throughout its years of business. It was prepared for recreational use in 1936, as the Forest Service began developing the land for this purpose. A contest was held to choose a name for the Wheeler Basin area. Out of over 1,000 entries, Snow Basin was selected. In 1940, Alf Engen, Forest Service Recreation Advisor, recommended that a ski area be created. A year later on February 16, 1941 Snow Basin was officially dedicated. On October 1, 1999 around three hundred people rode up the chair lift at Snowbasin Ski Resort. This time they weren’t dressed for skiing. They gathered to honor John Paul Jones, an Ogden native who was an avid skier of Snow Basin in the early 40’s. Mr. Jones was one of the initial members of the Ogden Ski Club, which held the original permit to run and operate the ski hill. Still a young man, he later became a member of the elite 10th Mountain Division and was killed in action in Northern Italy during the battle for Mt. Belvedere in World War II. To honor this war hero a memorial has been dedicated that now stands on the summit of John Paul ridge. The ridge has been formally designated in his name by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The spectacular memorial is a large stone bearing a bronze plaque in memory of the young John Paul Jones who died in 1945, at the age of twenty-one. The dedication program held this fall started out with a welcome and then a posting of colors from the color guard. The National Anthem was sung by Tech Sargent Dammer. Speakers included Peter Seibert, of the 10th Mountain Division Association, who joked about always being able to find rocks at Snow Basin. Niece Lorna Kennedy, and Robert Chambers, a close friend of John Paul Jones, also spoke. In addition, remarks were presented by Forest Service District Ranger Ruth Monahan, Snowbasin owner Earl Holding, and Snowbasin General Manager Gray Reynolds. U.S. Air Force Chaplain Rick Harvey offered a benediction. The ceremony ended with the unveiling of the plaque, a 21 Gun Salute, and Taps by Tech. Sgt. Dammer. The grand finale came from the sky as the 4th Squadron, 388 FW, US Air Force flew over in the Missing Man Formation. History of Snowbasin Through the mid-1930’s, the area known as Snowbasin today was privately owned by various ranching families and a utility company. The area had been severely over-grazed, which had caused extensive erosion and contamination to the Ogden City watershed. Conditions deteriorated to the extent that the state of Utah eventually condemned Ogden’s water supply. A grassroots campaign was initiated by Ogden City, Weber County, the Ogden Chamber of Commerce and Ogden Rotary Club to purchase critical private land in the Snowbasin area at an estimated total cost of $20,000 to $40,000. Then, between the years of 1940 and 1945, the acquired parcels, totaling about 4,983 acres, were deeded to the Forest Service to become part of the Cache National Forest for management and protection of the watershed, and to restore the property from previous mismanagement. During this time, a number of Utah’s ski pioneers also recognized the sports potential of the area and sought to develop a year-round recreational facility on the mountain property. Approximately $200,000 was spent by the Civilian Conservation Corps to build an access road to open up the area for recreational purposes. The first ski tow was installed in 1939, and in the early 1940’s construction on the first single chairlift began, but was abandoned with the outbreak of World War II. Finally, in January of 1946, the Wildcat single chairlift was completed and dedicated. Snowbasin operated under a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service granted to the City of Ogden. From 1955 through 1984, Snowbasin was owned and operated by three different parties who all eventually sold because of financial difficulties. In 1984 Snowbasin was purchased by Earl and Carol Holding, owners of Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort, who have continued to own and operate the Ogden Valley ski area since that time. Note: Information provided courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service Chronological History of Snowbasin 1934 City of Ogden, Utah needed new water storage and flood control source. Wheeler Basin was selected and a road was created for accessibility. 1935 The Ogden Chamber of Commerce requested the Forest Service take control of the basin area. Forest Service adopted a plan for removal of grazing, elimination of timber cutting and development of land for recreation. Contest was held to choose name. From over 1,000 entries, Snow Basin was selected by Mrs. Geneve S. Woods. 1940 Alf Engen, Forest Service Recreation Advisor, visited Wheeler Basin and recommended a ski area be created. Road begun by the CCC crew—Ogden City, November 27. The first Snow Basin race held December 23 hosting 75 skiers. Ski school organized by Bert Jensen. Ski tow operated by Jack Whittaker. Dog sled taxi service provided by James Lightfoot. 1941 Snow Basin officially dedicated February 16. Activities included intermountain downhill and slalom ski events sponsored by the Ogden Junior Chamber of Commerce under the direction of Arthur Roth of the Ogden Ski Club. The Engen brothers executed a twin jump on Bjorngaard Hill dropping flowers in celebration of the area opening. Dr. Arthur Perkins organized the Snow Basin Ski Patrol, which joined the National Ski Patrol System organized three years earlier in the East. Corey Engen operated the ski school. Under the ownership of Ogden City, Mine and Smelter Supply of Denver began construction of the new Wildcat chair lift. After the lower terminal was completed, uncooperative weather conditions and World War II delayed the completion of the 120 chairs, 15 terminal lifts. 1942 The Forest Service constructed the Snow Basin ski area shelter, which was operated by the Snow Basin Ski Club. Earl and Gladys Miller managed the concessions in the shelter and ran the ski school. 1945 The Snow Basin road was resurfaced. 1946 Ora Bundy resumed construction of the Wildcat lift, which was dedicated January 20. 1947 Ogden City proposed a new lodge and applied for permit from Forest Service. The Commission objected to expenditures calling it a “rich man’s playground.” Snow Basin hosted a national downhill and slalom. 1953 Sam Huntington, of Berthoud Pass, Colorado expressed interest in buying Snow Basin from the city of Ogden. 1954 Sam Huntingon’s plan fizzled out due to lack of financial backers and available money. This marked the shortest season on record, with Snow Basin not opening until January and closing early due to lack of snow. 1955 Ogden City agreed to lease ski area lifts to Sam Huntington. Huntington planned construction of new platter pull type lift on Porcupine. Earl Miller opened the Earl Miller Ski School while still managing concessions in the shelter. 1956 New porcupine Platter Pull dedicated on January 13. 1957 12,400 skiers reported this year. Ogden City sold all its Snow Basin facilities to Sam Huntington. 1958 The National Alpine races were held at Snow Basin on March 14, 15, and 16. 1961 Dr. Aaron Ross leased concessions from the Forest Service and constructed the Gelende Inn Lodge over the Forest Service shelter. The new Porcupine chair lift replaced the platter pull. 1962 Sam Huntington was electrocuted at bottom terminal of Porcupine lift, April 24. The ski lifts were purchased in August by the Snow Basin Ski Lift and Development Company: Ralph Benowitz, Roy Nelson and Fred Baker. 1964 The Huntington Haus was constructed in November by the Ski Lift Development Company at the base of Porcupine lift. Late opening, January 23, due to lack of snow. New Wildcat double chair lift was completed in October for upcoming season. 1967 Powder Puff T-Bar completed. 1973 Lodge lease sold to Snow Basin Ski Lift and Development Company. Area now under single management. 1978 Snow Basin ski area purchased on October 6 by a limited partnership: Peter Seibert, one of the original founders of Vail and Rodney Slifer, Mayor of Vail. Name changed to Snowbasin Ltd. 1980 Snowbasin Ltd obtained an option of 7,200 acres adjacent to the ski mountain for future development. The parking lots were renovated. 1984 Earl and Carol Holding, also owners of Sun Valley ski resort in Idaho, purchased the Snowbasin ski area and the Earl Miller Ski School. 1987 Construction begins on Trappers Loop road connecting Huntsville to Weber Canyon. An additional 21.4-mile road from Snowbasin to Trappers Loop planned which will make Snowbasin one of Utah’s easiest to reach ski areas from the Salt Lake City Airport because there will be no summit to cross and Weber Canyon is always open. 1988 Land exchange proposed to Forest Service so future Snowbasin facilities can be constructed on private land. 1995 June 16, the International Olympic Committee in Budapest, Hungary selected Salt Lake City to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Snowbasin to host the Downhill and Super G. 1999 Mountain ridge named in honor of John Paul Jones |
