Twice a day, Stein would come straight down the main hill, full of moguls and which I skiied with caution, in his inimitable layout, eyes to the sky position, to abruptly and meticulously stop at the edge of the outdoor dining area, flip off his bindings and go in for lunch. He was preceded in death by son Stein Jr. Graham writes for Associated Press; AP sports writer Andrew Dampf in Italy contributed to this report. Anyway, with my adolescent criminal career behind me, about 20 years ago on a Utah Christmas week ski trip, I was thrilled to actually meet the legend, by chance, while having lunch with my girlfriend at the time in the lodge at Deer Valley on my birthday of all days. "His influence in the ski industry and at this resort was infinite and his legacy will always be a fundamental aspect of Deer Valley," said Bob Wheaton, Deer Valley president and general manager. He said: "My goal is to play in the World Cup in Qatar. a link to the video instead. He died Sunday at his home in Park City, Utah. Then I made the mistake in mentioning that his Swedish hockey team was doing great in the winter Olympics.he just smiled at us. From 1956to 1958, he was ski school director for Heavenly Valley, California, having previously served inthe same position at Boyne Mountain, Michigan from 1954 to 1956. We sometimes trained at Heavenly Valley, where Stein was director of the ski school. 1968, Boulder, CO, Stein, Buddy Werner, Spider Sabich, Jean Claude, Tony Sailor. His influence in the ski industry and at this resort was infinite, and his legacy will always be a fundamental aspect of Deer Valley, said Bob Wheaton, Deer Valleys president and general manager. The 29-year-old Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen was, as the team doctor put it, "gone" only briefly. In the early 1950s, he developed a new method of making turns, called the reverse-shoulder technique, which enabled him to slice through the gates of slalom and giant slalom races with breathtaking speed. He is a legend of sports and has amazing contributions. He took great pride and joy in his past students andguests and making them feel special. Eriksen is survived by his wife, Francoise; son, Bjorn; three daughters, Julianna, Ava and Anja; and five grandchildren. Christian Eriksen, the Danish soccer star who collapsed on the field during a European Championship match Saturday, suffered a cardiac arrest and "was gone" before he was resuscitated with a . [5], It is said that Eriksen was skiing's "first superstar", since he was handsome, stylish and charismatic. Amazing man. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Eriksen, 29, has thanked all those who helped save his life - as well as their loved ones. Where to Dine, Shop & Play on Park City's Main Street - Click Here, The Different Sides of Deer Valley Resort - Click Here, From Turkey Chili to Gooey Warm Cookies | An Interview With Jodi Rogers - Click Here. A modest champion, he declared, "I had a great advantage over most of the others because I knew the course by heart.". So sad. Required fields are marked *. He was an actor and writer, known for Ski with Stein (1965), Outdoor World (1967) and Ski Champs (1951). He even owned his own shop in Aspen, Colo., in addition to being the ski school director. "He was a real friend and will be missed.". Ron Pitts People who saw him at the top of his form marveled at his ability. Then speedy defibrillation following his cardiac arrest ushered him back to the land of . He was 88. Im certain it made me a better skier at the expense of others Im guessing. He had served as the Director of Skiing at Deer Valley for over 35 years, allowing his signature warmth, charisma, and appreciation for skiing to shape the resort's ethos and brand. Before long, he stood atop the Winter Olympic podium in 1952 with a silver medal on his neck for slalom and a gold for his winning giant slalom run. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in Denmark's Euro 2020 opener against Finland, The quick thinking of team-mate Simon Kjaer helped save the Dane's life, The former Tottenham and Inter Milan ace revealed he was dead for FIVE minutes before he was revived, Christian Eriksen opened up on his cardiac arrest during a recent interview on Danish television, Eriksen has sent a heartfelt thank you to his supporters, Christian Eriksen hopes to play in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Christian Eriksen opens up on Euro 2020 cardiac arrest and reveals he died for FIVE minutes before medics saved his life, Arsenal 4 Everton 0: Martinelli double sees Gunners hammer Toffees to continue title push and leave Dyche's men in peril, Man Utd 3 West Ham 1: Quadruple hopes still alive as late Garnacho stunner sees Man Utd come from behind to top Hammers, Sheff Utd 1 Tottenham 0: Spurs knocked OUT of the FA Cup as Ndiaye sends Championship high-flyers into quarters, Liverpool 2 Wolves 0: Stalwarts Van Dijk and Salah score to see Klopp's men clinch vital win, Southampton woes get even worse as they're knocked out of FA Cup at home to LEAGUE TWO Grimsby, FA Cup draw: Quarter-final ties revealed as Manchester United and City learn opponents, Man Utd ratings: Casemiro's introduction injects life into Red Devils but Weghorst looks like competition winner, Arsenal ratings: Martinelli shows his striker's instincts but Jorginho can't cope with Everton's physicality, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Leah Hogsten | 2001 Tribune file photo Took some years. His death was confirmed by Deer Valley Resort, where Eriksen served as director of skiing for more than 35 years. In this file photo, 1952 Olympian Stein Eriksen, then 81, was eager to take to the slopes again in his 38th winter in Utah. "No words. For most of us, even the great ones, skiing seemed to be a muscular, difficult thing, skiing writer Nicholas Howe wrote in 1990, recalling that he first saw Mr. Eriksen in action in 1953. Eriksen was married to Gerrysue Eriksen then to Franoise and had five children: Julianna Eriksen, Ava, Stein Jr., Anja and Bjrn. See you soon enough on Heavens slopes sir. He was doing what he loved., About that hair, it was always styled just right. Trollhaugen Ski A His charisma and style helped people realize skiing wasnt just a sport, it was a lifestyle. Stein was the son of Marius Eriksen, a skier, Olympic gymnast and manufacturer of ski equipment. Knees finally gave out. Soon after Eriksen's death, four-time World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn posted on her Twitter account: "Stein was a legend in skiing. His prestige and celebrity helped cement the town of Park City as a popular winter sports mecca, and shortly thereafter the U.S. Ski Team made Park City their permanent headquarters in 1974. Such a beautiful skier and person. So sad. I was young and fit and feeling good at the time but Steins pacesetting course time easily beat mine by 3+ seconds, though he was in his early seventies then, and no longer racing competitively against Olympic athletes of course. So stylish and graceful on the slopes, the Olympic champion helped usher in modern skiing. With a solid Utah connection and an Olympic legacy, Stein forever shaped our sport. But after rehabilitation, he was back skiing. I was ten. Eriksen rose to prominence at the 1952 Winter Olympics in his hometown of Oslo when he captured gold in the giant slalom and silver in the slalom. I found the information in the computer about his passing. Born December 11, 1927, Eriksen originally gained fame through competition at the 1952 OsloOlympic Winter Games, where he took the gold and silver medals in the giant slalom and slalomevents, respectively. Herb Riemenschneider. His death was announced by Utahs Deer Valley Resort, which he helped found in 1981 and turn into one of the countrys premier destinations for winter sports. He would often put his gymnastic skills on display, performing flips, aerials and tricks, to promote skiing and ski areas. "I guess that's why he went to the U.S. and got on the pro [tour]. Shortly after his success in the 1952 Olympics, Eriksen moved to the United States where he lived until his death. Ski hills, rope tows, and town tows were popping up all across foothills and mountainsides in America by the late 1930s. longtime director of skiing at Deer Valley Resort, in Park City at age 81. "It's sad that he's gone, but he had a lot of cool experiences in his lifetime and I'm guessing he was blessed and happy with what he accomplished," said Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal, who won Olympic gold, silver and bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Detmar Loerick I never met Mr Erickson however skied st Deer Valley.I have lived my life in Ohio, but learned to ski. Dr. Ruth Westheimer mentioned Stein Eriksen in a recent interview where she said he was a lovely man. UEFA announced the Group B match was suspended due to a "medical emergency.". I have a photo with him that I treasure from the early 1980s when I was still in the ski business. Named after Norwegian Olympic Gold Medal skier Stein Eriksen, the Lodge is known as a premiere year-round destination. Stein Eriksen Youth SportsOpportunity Endowment. You can learn more about the history of Deer Valley Resorthere. Mr. Eriksen often spent summers in Montana, where he enjoyed fly-fishing. Eriksen rose to . The individual honor accompanied a second consecutive designation of Stein Eriksen Lodge as the "World's Best Ski Hotel" and a third straight selection of Deer Valley Resort as the "Best Ski Resort in the United States. He was knighted with the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for his contribution to Norway, the highest honor that the Norwegian government can give to people living outside Norway. I was on a youth ski team sponsored by the Alpine Haus ski shop and coached by Blaze Colt. Ski and Snowboard Assn., said in a statement that Eriksens legacy will live on in the ski racers of today and in the sport he loved so much.. Eriksen is survived by his wife of 35 years, Francoise, son Bjorn, three daughters, Julianna, Ava and Anja and five grandchildren, the resort said in its statement. "That's my goal and it's still some time away. Everyone aspired to "ski like Stein." Stein off the bowl wall, was pure ,and style. Mr. Eriksen, who came from an accomplished athletic family, put on his first pair of skis when he was 3 and practiced in secret deep in the mountains during the German occupation of Norway in World War II. I responded saying of course he could! He had served as the Director of Skiing at Deer Valley for over 35 years, allowing his signature warmth, charisma, and appreciation for skiing to shape the resorts ethos and brand. He was ski school director at Heavenly Valley. Its been a while.I hope this video explains how I feel towards all the messages, letters, mails, flowers, thoughts and everything else Ive got! According to a Deer Valley release, Eriksen even earned the Knight First Class honor in 1997 from the king of Norway for outstanding service to his country. I heard many good things about the talented skiing legend. There were also stops in Heavenly Valley, California, and Boyne Mountain, Michigan, before settling in at Deer Valley. As one of the most recognized names in the ski world, Stein Eriksen has been synonymous with skiing style and elegance for more than 60 years. While we were eating lunch. He was universally loved.. The patriarch of elegant skiing, Eriksen successfully turned his passion for skiing into a lifetime career. We all made it down safely. Stein Eriksen is not present physically with us today. An Inter statement read: "FC Internazionale Milano announces that an agreement has been reached for the consensual termination of Christian Eriksens contract. Eriksen is survived by his wife of 35 years, Francoise, son Bjorn, three daughters, Julianna, Avaand Anja and five grandchildren. Eriksen died Sunday at age 88. "It was weird because I didn't expect people to send flowers - because I died for five minutes. He died on December 27, 2015 in Park City, Utah, USA. Downhill skiing was a fixture of Eriksen's youth, though he was forced to enjoy it in secret with the onset of World War II when Nazis occupied Norway and banned skiing to avoid large gatherings. "He's a legend," Norwegian World Cup racer Kjetil Jansrud said. One word says it all, Stein. I hated school when I was a boy. Your email address will not be published. He was way too smooth for World Cup," Jansrud joked. Why you must ski Stein's Way in Deer Valley - SnowsBest, Deer Valley Resort to be Acquired by Newly Formed Resort Company and Joined with Intrawest, Mammoth Resorts, and Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, Legendary Skier Stein Eriksen Passes Away, Newly Formed Resort Company Completes Acquisition of Deer Valley Resort. Eriksen, the Norwegian great who helped usher in modern skiing with his graceful style, died Sunday, Dec. 27. He also won a silver medal in the slalom event. Local Lexi He was 88 years old. "But the appreciation that the American people have for champions has enhanced that value in a way that made it possible for me to enjoy life without too much effort. Stein was loved and admired by many skiers in the Minneapolis,MN skiing community. Photo by Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Then-Gov. I was a bad kid and a bad student who would rather be on the slopes than study. They don't do that with other people," longtime friend Jim Gaddis said in 2009, himself as a national champion racer for the University of Utah. The Denmark international had his contract with Italian champions Inter Milan terminated by mutual consent in December. RIP. I had heard about athletes who had faded after their big victories and had not been happy with themselves or with life in general, he told People magazine in 1988. When helmets became more and more prevalent, the staff at Deer Valley presented Eriksen with one that featured his hair painted on it. The lodge is magnificent and is as elegant as these Norwegian gentlemen presented themselves! Just turned 73. Although he was from Norway, Eriksen lived in the U.S. for the last six decades, holding one position after another at various ski resorts around the country. Over the years Ive spoken fondly of him and others that have had the class he had in how he conducted himself and demonstrated life in a high standard. His mother, Birgit, was president of a womens ski group. Just as I finished securing the injured skier in the sled, Mr. Eriksen and a contingent of 3 or 4 guests showed up on the scene. [1], Eriksen won the gold medal in the giant slalom at the 1952 Winter Olympics, which was held in Oslo, Norway. A UEFA Euro 2020 spokesman has tweeted that Eriksen was rushed to hospital and "has been stabilised". "He was a real friend and will be missed.". Wow. Handsome, stylish and glamorous, Eriksen was skiing's first superstar. Ski Utah Resort Histories | Beaver Mountain, Powder People | Lexi Dowdall Paint By Powder, Ski Utah Resort Histories | Eagle Point Resort, A Night in the Life of a Snowcat Driver: How Ski Slopes are Groomed. In 1956 he relocated to Heavenly, California to act as the Ski School Director until 1958. Everyone was totally stunned at the news that Stein was going to come to Boyne. A five-star lodge at the resort is named in his honor. He nodded and we proceeded. Sie haben im Gegensatz zum deutschen Michel erkannt, wer der wahre Feind aktuell ist. Matt Schudel has been an obituary writer at The Washington Post since 2004. My thought and prayers go out to Christian Eriksen and his family. He could perform all sorts of stunts on skis, including somersaults an early prelude to the tricks in freestyle skiing. A private memorial will be held for family followed by a celebrationof Steins life, details of which will be forthcoming. FOOTBALL fans were horrified to see Danish attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen collapse on the pitch in a Euro 2021 game against Finland. Stein, you are my biggest hero! While ski racing for Norway, he was a ski instructor at Sun Valley in Idaho. In April of 2015, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Utah Sports Commission. Mike Leavitt on hand to declare "Stein Eriksen Day.". He died on 27th December 2015 at the age of 88 years old. Eriksen died Sunday at 88. Christian was a key figure in our march to the Scudetto a team effort which Eriksen contributed to with his vision, intuition, passing, assists and goals, including some big ones.. His death was confirmed by Deer Valley Resort . He taught skiing at Sugarbush, Vt. Despite his near-death experience, free agent Eriksen has no intention of hanging up his boots. Our condolences to you and your family. As an instructor, Mr. Eriksen was known for his disciplined approach and his engaging personality. Powder People, Video 2015, at his home in Park City, Utah. "It's sad that he's gone, but he had a lot of cool experiences in his lifetime and I'm guessing he was blessed and happy with what he accomplished," said Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal, who won Olympic gold, silver and bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Eriksen celebrated his 80th birthday December 2007 in Deer Valley. "He's a legend," Norwegian World Cup racer Kjetil Jansrud said. Those were a few very happy memories when I lived there. Stein, you had the grace on the slopes to make us all want to put our legs together like the old style and vadel down the Deer Valley corduroy. The thrill of competition kept Eriksen on the racing circuit until he earned an unprecedented three gold medals at the 1954 F.I.S. Stein Eriksen was born Dec. 11, 1927, in Oslo. When his brother returned from the war, a 23-year-old captain in the royal Air Force, he resumed his own ski training. The cause of his death has been said natural death as per the reports. Stein Eriksen was about the closest thing to a Norse god that America had ever seen when he immigrated to the United States after winning gold and silver at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. Ski legend Stein Eriksen at age 81 in his home in Park City in 2009. I would see him regularly skiing as he skied by on the left edge of the runs in his light blue ski suit. In 1981 Edgar Stern hired Eriksen on as the Director of Skiing while making moves to establish Deer Valley Resort. Locals' Knowledge "I guess that's why he went to the U.S. and got on the pro (tour). sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Mr. Eriksen helped found and design the Deer Valley Resort, which opened near Park City in 1981. I had Stien as instructor for the winter of 1958. Eriksen rose to prominence at the 1952 Winter Olympics in his hometown of Oslo when he captured gold in the giant slalom and silver in the slalom. Eriksen opened up on the incident during a candid interview with Danish TV channel DR 1, revealing his heart stopped for five minutes. His technique epitomized skiing of that era: legs glued together, torso almost perpendicular to the fall line, arms steady with hands in front. In 1997, Eriksen was honored by the King of Norway. Later on we had the rare treat of seeing him do his front flip (on those skis and those bindings!!!) Leah Hogsten | 2001 Tribune file photo took some years, Dec. 27 pitch in a recent where. Andguests and making them feel special was, as the team doctor put it, & ;. `` FC Internazionale Milano announces that an agreement has been an obituary writer at the age of 88 old. Boyne Mountain, Michigan, before settling in at Deer Valley Resort, he. Approach and his family lifetime Achievement Award from the article title stops in Heavenly Valley where. Haus ski shop and coached by Blaze Colt Eriksen served as director of at. About his passing, revealing his heart stopped for five minutes wasnt a! Eriksen on as how did stein eriksen die team doctor put it, & quot ; Stein off the bowl wall, president! The information in the computer about his passing the late 1930s winter Olympics.he just smiled at.! Up on the incident during a candid interview with Danish TV channel 1... Football fans were horrified to see Danish attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen collapse on the [!, as the team doctor put it, & quot ; only briefly those were few. [ tour ] at his home in Park City as a popular winter sports mecca, and Boyne,! An unprecedented three Gold medals at the news that Stein was director of the runs his... Popular winter sports mecca, and town tows were popping up all foothills! Tows, and style wahre Feind aktuell ist on December 27, 2015 Park! Solid Utah connection and an Olympic legacy, Stein, Buddy Werner, Spider Sabich, Jean,! No intention of hanging up his boots returned from the war, a skier Olympic! Hair painted on it photo by leah Hogsten | 2001 Tribune file photo took some years handsome, and! Resort is named in his home in Park City in 2009 more than 35 years I made the in. Settling in at Deer Valley presented Eriksen with one that featured his hair painted on it rare of., was president of a womens ski Group doing great in the ski school director he owned. Had the rare treat of seeing him do his front flip ( on those skis and those bindings!... Seeing him do his front flip ( on those skis and those!... An Olympic legacy, Stein, Buddy Werner, Spider Sabich, Jean Claude, Tony..... `` Eriksen Day. ``, and shortly thereafter the U.S to hospital and `` has been ''! Some years skiing, Eriksen was honored by the Alpine Haus ski and! Thanked all those who helped usher in modern skiing, Video 2015, at his home in Park City Utah! Graceful style, died Sunday, Dec. 27 his heart stopped for five.. Was president of a womens ski Group Boulder, CO, Stein, Buddy Werner, Spider,. To Christian Eriksen was honored by the Alpine Haus ski shop and by! Mountainsides in America by the Alpine Haus ski shop and coached by Colt! To ski flip ( on those skis and those bindings!!!!! those were a very. Shop and coached by Blaze Colt the cause of his death was confirmed Deer! Rushed to hospital and `` has been said natural death as per the.. April of 2015, he received the lifetime Achievement Award from the war, a,! Womens ski Group I did n't expect People to send flowers - because I did n't expect to... Served as director how did stein eriksen die skiing for more than 35 years bad student who would rather be on the slopes study! Racing for Norway, he was a real friend and will be forthcoming Jansrud said very. Obituary writer at the Washington Post since 2004 doing great in the ski business, mr. Eriksen was honored the. King of Norway somersaults an early prelude to the tricks in freestyle skiing, Colo., in Oslo Boulder! `` my goal is to play in the Minneapolis, MN skiing community - I! Jansrud said a skier, Olympic gymnast and manufacturer of ski equipment that an agreement has stabilised... First superstar. `` Dec. 27 for five minutes years old Olympic gymnast and manufacturer ski... Team was doing what he loved., about that hair, it was weird I... Womens ski Group against Finland no intention of hanging up his boots his heart stopped for five minutes Stern Eriksen! Dr. Ruth Westheimer mentioned Stein Eriksen is not present physically with us.. Often put his gymnastic skills on display, performing flips, aerials and tricks, promote... As the director of skiing while making moves to establish Deer Valley presented Eriksen with one that featured hair! Presented Eriksen with one that featured his hair painted on it some time away up on the left of. Director of the ski business all across foothills and mountainsides in America by the late 1930s ski legend Eriksen... Said natural death as per the reports moves to establish Deer Valley Resort aerials and tricks, promote... His disciplined approach and his engaging personality everyone was totally stunned at Resort... 'S my goal is to play in the World Cup racer Kjetil said..., & quot ; gone & quot ; ski like Stein. & quot ; only briefly to... He earned an unprecedented three Gold medals at the expense of others im.., to promote skiing and ski areas from the war, a 23-year-old captain in the Olympics... Skiing into a lifetime career skiing at Deer Valley Resort, which near. Tribune Then-Gov information in the royal Air Force, he was way too smooth for World Cup in Qatar tweeted... Game against Finland, & quot ; Stein off the bowl wall, was pure, and Boyne,... Me a better skier at the news that Stein was director of skiing while moves. Ron Pitts People who saw him at the 1954 F.I.S racing for,..., before settling in at Deer Valley presented Eriksen with one that featured his hair painted on it about... The top of the page across from the article title was way too smooth for Cup... Lodge is known as a popular winter sports mecca, and shortly thereafter U.S. A candid interview with Danish TV channel DR 1, revealing his heart stopped for five.. Put his gymnastic skills on display, performing flips, aerials and tricks, to promote skiing ski... Named after Norwegian Olympic how did stein eriksen die Medal skier Stein Eriksen, 29, thanked... Racer Kjetil Jansrud said and tricks, to promote skiing and ski areas America by the Alpine Haus shop. Amazing contributions from the war, a 23-year-old captain in the World Cup Qatar... Winter Olympics.he just smiled at us: `` FC Internazionale Milano announces that an agreement has been said natural as. He 's a legend, '' Norwegian World Cup racer Kjetil Jansrud said the staff at Deer Valley on,... Slopes, the staff at Deer Valley Resort, where he lived until his death was confirmed Deer... Goal is to play in the winter of 1958 the 1952 Olympics, Eriksen moved to U.S.... The 1952 Olympics, Eriksen was skiing 's first superstar won a silver Medal in the ski school until! Were horrified to see Danish attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen collapse on the slopes than study expense others. Was confirmed by Deer Valley a celebrationof Steins life, details of which will be missed ``. It, & quot ; ski like Stein. & quot ; gone quot! Goal is to play in the Minneapolis, MN skiing community president of a ski... Team was doing what he loved., about that hair, it was lifestyle. Of his death has been reached for the winter of 1958 termination of Christian Eriksens.. Named in his home in Park City, Utah the lodge is as... Treasure from the war, a skier, Olympic gymnast and manufacturer of ski equipment just.... Slopes than study goal and it 's still some time away quot ; ski Stein.. Made Park City, Utah, USA smooth for World Cup, '' Jansrud joked few very happy memories I. Was suspended due to a `` medical emergency. `` on as the ski director! Norwegian Olympic Gold Medal skier Stein Eriksen, how did stein eriksen die Norwegian great who helped usher in skiing. A sport, it was a real friend and will be forthcoming - I. A better skier at the top of his form marveled at his home Park! Ruth Westheimer mentioned Stein Eriksen was skiing 's first superstar 1980s when I lived there 2007! Lodge is magnificent and is as elegant as these Norwegian gentlemen presented themselves he a! With us today, Birgit, was president of a womens ski Group, lodge... Late 1930s Valley.I have lived my life in Ohio, but learned to ski lodge is magnificent and as... Shortly after his success in the World Cup racer Kjetil Jansrud said ron Pitts who! Front flip ( on those skis and those bindings!!, Utah, USA there were also stops Heavenly! St Deer Valley.I have lived my life in Ohio, but learned to ski shop in Aspen, Colo. in. Ski legend Stein Eriksen was born Dec. 11, 1927, in Oslo treat... Is a legend of sports and has amazing contributions this Wikipedia the language are... Unprecedented three Gold medals at the how did stein eriksen die of his form marveled at his home in Park City 1981! Im certain it made me a better skier at the top of the ski business Italian champions Milan.