Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PARK CITY — Stein Eriksen, the stylistic founder of modern skiing, passed away at his Park City home surrounded by family Sunday. He was 88.
The first skier to win a world championship triple gold, Eriksen defined the sport and became one of the most influential athletes and businessmen in Utah's winter sports. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by from the Utah Sports Commission earlier this year.
At the time, Eriksen praised his family and a few dear friends as his greatest influences: supportive parents who were devoted to the growth of skiing in Norway; an older brother, who interrupted a promising ski career to escape from Nazi-occupied Norway and become a decorated World War II Spitfire pilot; and a German skiing friend, Willy Bogner.
The director of skiing at the world-renowned Deer Valley Resort for 35 years, Eriksen has been involved with the resort since it opened in 1981.
Bob Wheaton, Deer Valley president and general manager, said Sunday that the athlete's involvement at the resort and presence on the slopes will be deeply missed.
"(Eriksen's) influence in the ski industry and at this resort was infinite, and his legacy will always be a fundamental aspect of Deer Valley. He was a true inspiration, and we are honored to have had him as a part of the Deer Valley family," Wheaton said.
Eriksen was born in Norway on Dec. 11, 1927, and grew up ski jumping and on the slopes near his home and developing impressive abilities as a gymnast. Eriksen's father, Marius, was one of Norway's top athletes — a champion ski jumper and gymnast in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. His mother, Birgit, was the first president of the Ladies' Slalom Club of Oslo.
Eriksen burst onto the competetive skiing scene in 1952 when he took the gold and silver medals in the giant slalom and slalom events at the Oslo Winter Olympics. Two years later, he won three gold medals at the world championships in re, Sweden.
Legendary skier and Deer Valley's beloved Director of Skiing, Stein Eriksen passed away peacefully at home on Sunday,...
Posted by Deer Valley Resort on Sunday, December 27, 2015
A stylistic pioneer, Eriksen was the first prominent skier to do a flip on skis, essentially inventing "hotdog" freestyle competition.
That passion for skiing turned into a career and a lifestyle for Eriksen. He lived for six decades in the United States, especially impacting Utah's skiing community and industry. His dreams included developing a luxury hotel at Deer Valley Resort, which was later named the Stein Eriksen Lodge in his honor.
"Stein Eriksen was the vision behind the development of the lodge that carries his name," said Dennis Suskind, president of Stein Eriksen Lodge. "His celebrity charisma created a special ambiance whether within the lodge, our restaurant or out on the mountain, that was warm and inviting. He was a real friend and will be missed."
Despite his influence and the time he dedicated to the business, Eriksen made himself available to thousands of skiers who sought him out for training. He was known for his friendly demeanor and personable attitude as he stopped for a visit and a photo with those who recognized him on the slopes.
When the 2002 Winter Olympics came to Utah, Eriksen served the state as an influential Olympic Ambassador, even holding some Olympic events at his Deer Valley home.
Eriksen's achievements include receiving the Knight First Class honor in 1997 by His Majesty the King of Norway as a reward for outstanding service in the interest of Norway; the Royal Order of Merit awarded for his contribution to the world of sports and his commitment to the people of his homeland; and the Pioneer Award from the Intermountain Ski Areas Association.
Eriksen was inducted into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame in 2003, the Professional Ski Instructors of America Hall of Fame in 2013, and received the Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism by World Ski Awards in 2015.
Eriksen is survived by his wife of 35 years, Francoise, son Bjorn, three daughters, Julianna, Ava and Anja, and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son Stein Jr.
In lieu of flowers, the Eriksen family suggests that donations be made to the Stein Eriksen Youth Sports Opportunity Endowment. A private memorial for family is being arranged, followed by a celebration of Stein's life.
