Current Meadows chairlift

In early 1960 Everett Kircher decided he wanted to start a ProRacing Tour. He initially called Sepp Reusch from Stowe in Vermont but Sepp wasn’t interested. Then Everett called Friedl Pfeiffer from Aspen’s Ski School and the two of them started the IPSRA, International Professional Ski Racing Association. The first race was in Aspen in 1961. The second race, The Kircher Cup, was held at Boyne Mountain Resort and included the first freestyle competition.

Look up the hill and to the left. The run just to the left of Meadows is called Stein’s Mambo. You could say that Stein Eriksen started his own sport, freestyle skiing, where he could display his aerial acrobatics on skis. It was originally called ‘hot-dogging', but was categorized by 1961 into aerial, moguls and ballet during the first freestyle event held at Boyne Mountain Resort. There was a cash prize, but all the famous skiers refused to participate unless Steins’ flip was disqualified. Stein agreed to the stipulation, and ended up coming in as runner-up to Othmar Schneider, the future Director of Boyne Mountain’s Ski School.

Stein’s Mambo is also the name of Stein Eriksen’s signature aquavit cocktail at Boyne Mountain. It is served at The Beach House restaurant in the summer and Stein Ericksen’s restaurant in the winter.

💡 Click Play Video to see Stein describe how he started doing a flip on skis.

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📸 Attached Media:

-Photo from the Traverse City Record Eagle

-"Pro Ski Race Set" article from the Petoskey News Review on February 23, 1961

-"Boyne Mt. Ski Pros Take Series Lead" article from the Petoskey News Review on January 29, 1966

-Photo of Everett Kircher presenting The Kircher Cup to Pro Race Champions on ABC's Wide World of Sports in 1960 from the Boyne Mountain Resort Archives

-"Boyne Country Continues to Add "Four Season" Balance in Growth" article from the Petoskey News Review on November 22, 1971

🔗Links in Text:

-"Stein Eriksen's First Aerial Flips in Norway" YouTube, scene from the documentary, "the Legendary Skier" produced by Terri Marie of White Wing Entertainment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Qwwonh39Y

-"Michigan Challenge Series 2022" YouTube by Boyne Mountain Resort www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcezJWj5XWs

🏃Walk down toward the main road on the grass. Stay off the right side of the road until you reach the next stop.

📚 Bibliography: β Δ ♥