Rebellious Freeskiers Gave Skiing Its Wings
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Perhaps the first skier to execeute a front flip, Stein Eriksen wowed crowds in the late 1950s and early ’60s with gravity-defying aerials, helping skiing ascend to the heavens.
Photo courtesy of Stein Eriksen
Looking toexpand the appeal of skiinstruction, Canadian DougPfeiffer (above) and Swissski school director RudiWyrsch started teachingthe benefits of ‘exotic skiing.’
Photo courtesy of The New England Ski Museum
RudiWyrsch demonstrates some more ‘exotic’ moves.
Photo courtesy of The New England Ski Museum
With gracefulathleticism and a wholesomebeauty, Olympic racer SuzyChaffee brought ski balletinto the mainstream in the1970sand 1980s. Herdancelike routines and cover-girl good looks made her a darlingof the media.
In the early 1970s,Wayne Wong’s aggressiveskiing (the Wong Banger)and daring aerials helpedopen the door to greaterfreedom on the slopes andin competitions.
This set thestage for skiing’s next revolution,in America’s parksand pipes.
New school iconTanner Hall rides therails in Verbier, Switzerland.
