BOYNE People HISTORY Memories

Michigan, the epicenter of the ski industry? It doesn't seem like it should be since it doesn't have a mountain range to speak of, but for the last century Michigan has played a pivotal role in the story of modern skiing. From the early days of ski jumping in Ishpeming and the formation of the National Ski Association located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, to the days of innovations in snowmaking and chairlifts developed at Boyne Mountain and used at ski resorts everywhere, Michigan has been at the center of it all.

With Everett Kircher, a snow-obsessed skier from Detroit, leading the way at Boyne, the story is always interesting. Many assumed that he knew what he was doing when he started the Boyne Ski Club in 1948 but that wasn't the case. The ski club was started with a couple of friends on a lark. Everett didn't ever dream that it could be his life's work. He just followed his passion and took chances, moving forward all the time.

And Midwestern skiers weren't in a position to be at the forefront of alpine skiing. They were relegated to using tow-ropes at whatever nearby hill they could find. But instead of being cast aside as a small-time ski club, Boyne Mountain took on the persona of the most modern ski mecca of the times. The greatest skiers, Stein Eriksen and Othmar Schneider, directed the ski school; the latest innovations were unveiled at Boyne; and Boyne skiers were known wherever they went because they were proficient in the most modern ski techniques. It was an exciting time to be a skier at Boyne and the cast of characters that spent their weekends skiing at Boyne Mountain during the heyday have left behind a wonderful legacy of fun, hilarity and chutzpah.

This book celebrates Everett Kircher's passion for snowsports and the passion of the early skiers who took the ride with him from the very beginning.

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