Ski Butternut History

THE 60'S

1963 - Channing & Jane Murdock turn the G-Bar-S Ranch into the Butternut Basin Ski Area. (The dude ranch operated a ski slope, serviced by a rope tow, for 20 years on Warner Mountain - now Ski Butternut's main mountain). The Murdock's became the youngest proprietors of a United States ski area at the tender ages of 28. The ski mountain is appropriately named for the many Butternut trees located on the property (in the area's basin). Channing and Jane bought the property for $60,000 and then sold 136 shares, at $1,000 each, to investors (shareholders received tasty butternuts and skiing privileges in lieu of dividends on their investments!) The Murdock's took out a

bank loan for $360,000 to start their dream of building a first-class ski area. Prior to the winter of 1963-1964, Channing erected a $100,000 Italian chairlift, with the help of local high school boys. Opening season lift tickets were priced at $6.00! Russ Funk was hired as a lift operator, eventually becoming Mountain Manager in the early 1980's. Other early managers were Ken Noad, Ski Patrol director; Mickey Gervis, Rentals Manager; and Paul Brown, Butternut's first Ski School director.

1964 - Einar Aas, A Distinguished Norwegian A-Team Ski Racer, comes on board as the area's Ski School Director. Einar served as Director for 43 years at Ski Butternut until his passing in July 2008.

1968 - Chair #2 Highline double installed.

1969 - Chair #4 Paddy Wagon double installed

TRAIL MAP from 1968

Link to international Skiing history association www.SkiingHistory.org

The association's mission is to preserve and advance the knowledge of ski history and winter sports heritage. ISHA publishes SKIING HERITAGE, a quarterly magazine of popular ski history, featuring profiles on great competitors& pioneers who shaped the sport. Stories are written by former editors of SKI, SKIING, and SnoCountry magazines. If you like skiing history, please consider subscribing. International Skiing History Assoc. 303-987-1111