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Perisher Ski Instructors of the 1950s

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Rudi Würth

Although development of Perisher Valley began in 1950, Perisher had no ski school until 1960. The early ski instructors were independent agents and instructed on their own behalf.

The first ski club to build in Perisher Valley was Kosciusko Snow Revellers Club (KSRC) which completed its temporary hut in December 1950. Although principally a works hut, it had accommodation and cooking facilities and was used as a ski lodge until its main lodge was completed in 1953. Thus development of the Perisher area may be said to have begun in December, 1950.

The first ski instructor in the Perisher area was Rudi Würth. Rudi had instructed at the Chalet, Charlotte Pass, in 1950 and 1951. Rudi was an exceptional skier and won the Australian Championship in 1950.

After 1951 Rudi gave unpaid instruction to members of KSRC whom he knew very well.

Rudi Würth

Although development of Perisher Valley began in 1950, Perisher had no ski school until 1960. The early ski instructors were independent agents and instructed on their own behalf.

The first ski club to build in Perisher Valley was Kosciusko Snow Revellers Club (KSRC) which completed its temporary hut in December 1950. Although principally a works hut, it had accommodation and cooking facilities and was used as a ski lodge until its main lodge was completed in 1953. Thus development of the Perisher area may be said to have begun in December, 1950.

The first ski instructor in the Perisher area was Rudi Würth. Rudi had instructed at the Chalet, Charlotte Pass, in 1950 and 1951. Rudi was an exceptional skier and won the Australian Championship in 1950.

After 1951 Rudi gave unpaid instruction to members of KSRC whom he knew very well.

Graham Chalker

After completion of its main lodge, KSRC employed Graham Chalker in 1954 as its lodge manager and as a ski instructor for its members, and other skiers in Perisher. Thus Graham Chalker was the first paid professional instructor in the Perisher area. Chalker remained at KSRC as manager/instructor in 1955.

Graham Chalker

After completion of its main lodge, KSRC employed Graham Chalker in 1954 as its lodge manager and as a ski instructor for its members, and other skiers in Perisher. Thus Graham Chalker was the first paid professional instructor in the Perisher area. Chalker remained at KSRC as manager/instructor in 1955.

Jean Ecuyer

In 1956, Bruce Ferguson replaced Graham Chalker as manager/ski instructor at KSRC. Thus Ferguson was the second paid ski instructor in the Perisher area.

KSRC appointed Jean Ecuyer as its ski instructor in 1957. Ecuyer had no managerial duties, he was solely an instructor. Ecuyer remained in Perisher as an instructor and later as a developer until his early and untimely death in 1970.

Jean Ecuyer

In 1956, Bruce Ferguson replaced Graham Chalker as manager/ski instructor at KSRC. Thus Ferguson was the second paid ski instructor in the Perisher area.

KSRC appointed Jean Ecuyer as its ski instructor in 1957. Ecuyer had no managerial duties, he was solely an instructor. Ecuyer remained in Perisher as an instructor and later as a developer until his early and untimely death in 1970.

Perisher, in 1957, had three independent instructors, who, after initially agreeing to operate as a group, went their own way. These were Jean Ecuyer, who worked for KSRC, Adam Zapenski, who worked for Sverre Kaaten’s Big Tow/ Tow Hut, syndicate and Karl Sparber, who worked for Warrugang Ski Club.

 

Perisher, in 1957, had three independent instructors, who, after initially agreeing to operate as a group, went their own way. These were Jean Ecuyer, who worked for KSRC, Adam Zapenski, who worked for Sverre Kaaten’s Big Tow/ Tow Hut, syndicate and Karl Sparber, who worked for Warrugang Ski Club.

 

Johnny Müller

In 1958, Adam Zapenski left Perisher and went to the Chalet for two years, and Johnny Müller (right in photo) took his place at the BigTow/Tow Hut. Jean Ecuyer was still at KSRC and Ludwig Kurz had taken over at Warrugang.

 

Johnny Müller

In 1958, Adam Zapenski left Perisher and went to the Chalet for two years, and Johnny Müller (right in photo) took his place at the BigTow/Tow Hut. Jean Ecuyer was still at KSRC and Ludwig Kurz had taken over at Warrugang.

 

Henri de Vouassoux

Henri de Vouassoux took over from Johnny Müller at the Tow Hut in 1959 and taught the French Allais technique. Johnny Müller moved to Warrugang and Jean Ecuyer to the new Sundeck Hotel.

Henri de Vouassoux

Henri de Vouassoux took over from Johnny Müller at the Tow Hut in 1959 and taught the French Allais technique. Johnny Müller moved to Warrugang and Jean Ecuyer to the new Sundeck Hotel.

Stefan Kruckenhauser

In 1960, the Perisher Ski Association (PSA) decided that the Perisher area had grown to such an extent (now 13 ski clubs, two hotels and one commercial lodge) that it needed its own ski school, not a group of independent operators.

On behalf of the PSA, Keith Line contacted Prof Stefan Kruckenhauser, Head of the Ski Austria Academy and asked him to nominate four instructors to join Jean Ecuyer in beginning  the Perisher Ski School.

Stefan Kruckenhauser

In 1960, the Perisher Ski Association (PSA) decided that the Perisher area had grown to such an extent (now 13 ski clubs, two hotels and one commercial lodge) that it needed its own ski school, not a group of independent operators.

On behalf of the PSA, Keith Line contacted Prof Stefan Kruckenhauser, Head of the Ski Austria Academy and asked him to nominate four instructors to join Jean Ecuyer in beginning  the Perisher Ski School.

First Perisher Ski School

Prof Kruckenhauser nominated Johnny Müller, Jean-Claude Decostard, Erich Walka and Denis Bertholet. In the photo L-R: Jean Ecuyer, Jean-Claude Decostard, Erich Walka and Johnny Müller.

First Perisher Ski School

Prof Kruckenhauser nominated Johnny Müller, Jean-Claude Decostard, Erich Walka and Denis Bertholet. In the photo L-R: Jean Ecuyer, Jean-Claude Decostard, Erich Walka and Johnny Müller.

Walter Spanring

Val Paral, of the YMCA (Canberra ) ski Club, ‘discovered’ Walter Spanring in 1960 working as a plasterer in Canberra. Spanring, a fine skier and instructor in his native Austria, was asked to instruct the members of YMCA (Canberra) at Guthega. Thus, Spanring became the first ski instructor at Guthega and, in 1965, founded a syndicate to develop Guthega as a ski resort. The syndicate built the the Blue Calf Poma lift and later the Blue Cow T-bar. Spanring and his wife, Hannelore, also built the Guthega Hotel.

Walter Spanring

Val Paral, of the YMCA (Canberra ) ski Club, ‘discovered’ Walter Spanring in 1960 working as a plasterer in Canberra. Spanring, a fine skier and instructor in his native Austria, was asked to instruct the members of YMCA (Canberra) at Guthega. Thus, Spanring became the first ski instructor at Guthega and, in 1965, founded a syndicate to develop Guthega as a ski resort. The syndicate built the the Blue Calf Poma lift and later the Blue Cow T-bar. Spanring and his wife, Hannelore, also built the Guthega Hotel.