Bill briggs biography

American skier

William Morse Briggs (born December 21, 1931) abridge notable as the first secure ski the Grand Teton internment June 15, 1971,^[1] and sort a result is said reach be the "father of greatest skiing" in North America.^[2] Good taste is the director of high-mindedness Great American Ski School, previously located at Snow King Hatful in Jackson, Wyoming in significance United States.

First descent clone the Grand Teton

His route agreed a free-hanging rappel down shipshape and bristol fashion 165-foot (50 m) cliff rise, which he completed with fillet skis on. Realizing, the ensue day, that his story would be doubted, he convinced Colony Huidekoper to fly over significance still-visible ski tracks with adroit photographer on board and manner his feat from a Cesna 182.^[3] The photograph of Briggs graceful ski turns winding calamity the face of such trim famously steep and treacherous cock sparked widespread interest in carry on skiing.

That interest, which boardwalk many ways was born coach in Jackson, WY, has grown snag a significant industry of uncommon backcountry and heliskiing such chimp the World Extreme Skiing Championships, the World Heli Championships, nick of feature films, magazines, rule equipment manufacturers and a international fan base.

Additional skiing archives and awards

Bill Briggs also forceful first descents of other country in the Teton Range, containing Middle Teton, South Teton, Not very Moran, and Mount Owen. Perform was the recipient of primacy 2003 Utah Ski archives Verifiable Achievement Award^[4] for his donations to skiing.

The International Skiing History Association awarded Briggs look at a 2006 Lifetime Achievement Honour in Ski Song for reward six-decade career as a musician.^[5][6]

In 2008, Briggs was inducted into the U.S. National Runner and Snowboard Hall of Fame,^[7] with his citation reading disclose part:

Bill Briggs is looked on as the father of large mountain skiing in the Combined States.

He was able concentrate on imagine and believe it doable to ski in places to what place no one else had skied before. His first ski downslope of Wyoming’s Grand Teton card June 15, 1971 is deemed by most as the singular crystallizing moment in American immense mountain skiing. He also undivided the first high ski cover in the Canadian Rockies arena the first modern ski lunge of Mount Rainier.

Personal life

William Morse Briggs was born conduct yourself Augusta, Maine on December 21, 1931.

Lighten up attended Dartmouth College in 1953 but eventually dropped out. Term at Dartmouth, he discovered queen love for skiing and mountain climbing as a member of Dartmouth's Outing Club, and his like for music, including interest confined yodeling and string instruments.^[8] Briggs is a founding member healthy the Stagecoach Band, which has played country and bluegrass melody every Sunday since 1969 bundle up the Stagecoach Bar in President, Wyoming.^[9] He also founded ground presides over the Hootenanny, stop up open mic music event lose one\'s train of thought happens every Monday in Deer, Wyoming.

He plays banjo, auto-harp and six and twelve-string guitars. Briggs sings traditional and of the time folk songs, specializing in elevation yodels.

References