The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS - The Homestead Ski Resort celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday afternoon at the Mountain Lodge with a ceremony honoring founder Sepp Kober.
Known as the “Father of Southern Skiing,” Kober arrived at The Homestead in 1959 and prepared to perform what was seemingly impossible – establishing a viable ski resort in the southeastern United States.
“We are indebted to Sepp Kober for seeing the potential for skiing in the Southeast,” said Tom West, president of the U.S. National Ski and Snowboarding Association.
In March, Kober will be inducted in the U.S. National Ski and Snowboarding Hall of Fame; joining only 360 skiing legends who have been honored for their contribution to skiing in the United States.
When asked what he remembered in establishing skiing at The Homestead, Kober replied, “It was a lot of work.” There were two miles of slope at The Homestead created by Kober.
The site for the new ski slope was at an area called “The Goat Golf Course.”
Teeming with skiers and snowboarders, the slope served as a backdrop for Saturday’s ceremony.
A native of Austria, Kober joined The Homestead in 1959. Kober quickly used his connections in the skiing industry to recruit ski instructors for a ski school that still bears his name – The Sepp Kober Ski School. As the ceremony and reception continued, the start time for Saturday afternoon’s courses were announced, and both young and old skiers gathered at the base of the slope to learn or hone skiing skills, just as they have done for half a century.
During its first year, over 6,000 students received instruction at the school.
Kober is a certified Austrian ski instructor; a member of the Austrian ski team until turning professional in 1948; and coached and directed ski schools in Nuria, Spain, Oppdal and Trondheam, Norway.
Kober was also instrumental in designing and opening ski resorts in the southeastern United States. Representatives from ski resorts were on hand to honor Kober.
Several of the orignal ski instructors recruited by Kober attended the ceremony.
Michael Berry, president of the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association, said Kober’s induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue.
“Thanks to Sepp, there is a flow of new skiers continuing to this day. Often, we overlook the industry’s founders,” he said.
It took 20 years of nominations before the selection committee chose to induct Kober.
