Utah State Ski Tournament
On March 2, 1930, Utah Governor George Dern opened the State Tournament with praise for Utah Ski Club and named the hill for the president of the club, Peter Ecker. Alf Engen, a 20 year old Norwegian who had been in the U.S. less than a year, was among the 14 professionals slated to compete. Engen did not place well (he fell), but his 164 foot jump was by far the longest that day.
Engen went on to set many records, both at Ecker Hill and elsewhere, while crowds watching at Ecker Hill grew from 2,000, to 5,000, to 7,000, to over 8,000. Through the continuing efforts of Strand, Ecker, and later S. Joseph Quinny, Ecker Hill became the site of national tournaments from 1930 to 1949, and was on the international ski tour.
Refurbishing Pinebrook
The ski rider in the photo is Ralph Bistila of Ishpeming, Michigan, at a national competition held at Ecker Hill, probably in 1949. Amidst growing public interest in participatory alpine skiing, promoters briefly attempted to revive jumping at Ecker Hill in the 1960s. After that, the historic jump site located within Pinebrook Estates fell into disrepair.
The Pinebrook Homeowners Association, the Summit County Historical Society, and the Park City Historical Society have joined forces to refurbish the 1986 monument at Pinebrook. Contact the Park City Historical Society, 435-649-7457, regarding contributions and replica plaques.
By Bea Mays
Located 0.5 miles from entrance to Pinebrook and Kilby Roads. View a map of the area.
