Willy Schaeffler

Willy Schaeffler
Born
Wilhelm Josef Schaeffler

(1915-12-13)13 December 1915
Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, Germany
Died9 April 1989(1989-04-09) (aged 73)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation(s)Skiing coach, administrator

Wilhelm Josef "Willy" Schaeffler (13 December 1915 – 9 April 1989) was a German-American skiing champion, winning coach,[1] and ski resort developer.[2] In skiing, he is best known to the public for his intensive training programs that led the U.S. Ski Team to gold and bronze medals at the 1972 Olympics and his success at the University of Denver.

In development circles, Schaeffler is known for his role as a founder of the Professional Skiers Association (PSA), as an early developer of the Colorado ski area, Arapahoe- or A-Basin, as well as for the development of Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Mineral King and Independence Lake.

  1. ^ Ajemian, Robert (1 April 1957). "King of the hill". Sports Illustrated. p. 42.
  2. ^ Greenberg, Al (September 1988). "Remembering Willy Schaeffler". Skiing. p. 30.