IPOS: Beaver Mountain

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While we’re visiting with her, Marge chats with us without leaving her post. Instead of taking a break, she pauses between questions to help guests. This has been her job six days a week for as long as she could remember, and at 78 years old she doesn’t plan to deviate from her important duties anytime soon. “I love it,” she tells us radiantly. Getting to greet all the Beaver Mountain guests is something she cherishes. If she meets you twice there’s a chance she’ll remember your name. “People ask me why I don’t retire,” she explains to us. “But I don’t want to retire. I feel so blessed and lucky that I am still able to do it. This is just part of my life.” On top of running the ticket office, Marge is the president of the resort. When we learned that it caught us off guard, considering most presidents hide themselves away in an opulent office. Not Marge, though. That’s just how things are at Beaver Mountain, and the resort prides itself on its welcoming vibe. The reason that Beaver feels like one big family is because it’s always been a family affair behind the scenes. The resort proudly claims the title of the longest continuously-run family-owned mountain resort in the United States.

Marge’s father-in-law Harold Seeholzer was at the helm of creating the resort. Back in 1939, Logan Canyon was opened to year-round traffic, suddenly providing the local Utahns access to the Wasatch’s Bear River Mountains. The Ski Club installed a ski tow on what would become Beaver Mountain, and Harold was one of its dedicated skiers. Shortly after, in 1945, the ski club made a call for proposals to run the operation. Harold applied, was accepted, and established Beaver Mountain Ski resort. His ultimate dream was to create a family-owned resort that made skiing accessible and affordable for other families. Joining him on that quest was his wife Luella, and together they raised their family on the slopes with hopes that they’d love the mountain just as much as they did. 

Over the next two decades, Beaver grew and grew, making upgrades in their infrastructure as they went. But in 1968, tragedy struck when Harold lost his battle with cancer. His spirit lived on, though, through Luella and his kids Ted, Loyal, Dixie, and Nancy. He’s also celebrated on the mountain, specifically with the chairlift Harry’s Dream. In 1970, the Seeholzer family installed that lift to fulfill his dream of having a double chairlift on the mountain. Not only did they honor that wish, but now Harry’s Dream is a triple chair, able to whisk 1400 skiers an hour up 4,600 feet. Harry would be proud.

The ticket office at Beaver Mountain. Katie Lozancich photo.

In 1970, Ted Seeholzer adopted the family trade and became General Manager of the resort. He ran the business with Marge and his siblings and continued the family tradition. When Ted passed away in 2013, Marge took over as president and continued to run the resort with her children. She’s now joined by her sons Travis and Jeff, who work as the Mountain Manager and Mountain Operations Manager. They’re third-generation Seeholzers, and proudly carry the family legacy onwards. When we’re finished up at the ticket office we head out to the mountain, and Travis gives us the full tour. While Beaver claims to be a “small” resort, it skis like a big mountain. A single lift ride gives you 1,700 feet of vertical, and the terrain varies from fun groomers to off-piste riding in the trees. The ski resort is on a northern aspect, which means that the snow stays pristine until the temperatures warm up in spring. Not to mention it receives that iconic light and fluffy Utah snowfall that we all know and love. On average the resort gets about 400 inches of that good stuff every season. Couple that with perfect fall line terrain, and you’ve got a mini powder paradise.

Marge at her post. Katie Lozancich photo.

While we’re exploring the mountain we bump into a variety of characters. There’s the grom Milo Pierre, who loves to boost off cliffs and hunt for face shots. He takes us through the terrain park and styles it out on all the jumps and kickers. I eventually peel off and take a few laps with Lajos “Louie '' Mate, who ski raced at the 1948 Olympics for the Hungarian Ski Team. Even though Mate is 98 now, he skis with youthful energy and is a Beav regular. “Skiing is what keeps me alive,” he exclaims to me on the chairlift, and I believe it. The man can still hold an edge and proudly shows off some gently arcing turns for the camera. 

As we ski together we reflect on what this sport means to us, and Mate talks about his family. He’s thankful to have shared this passion with his kids. “What is the most important thing in life: to give yourself. Be with your kids and do things with them. The best thing a parent can do is give their time to their children, instead of the television set,” he muses and it's a sentiment that’s playing out right in front of our eyes. All around are families. Some are learning to ski for the first time, and others are chasing each other down the slopes. When you stop to think about it, how many activities are there that you can share with your parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents? Not many. And that’s part of the reason, skiing and snowboarding are unique compared to other sports. They’re lifelong pursuits, and it helps to have spaces like Beaver Mountain to make it possible to share it with the ones you love.

At 92, Louie still loves to ski as much as he can. Katie Lozancich photo.

When we think of the saying “family trade” there’s a certain image that comes to mind: butcheries, wineries, tiny grocery stores, and quaint family farms. Ski resorts don’t always fall into that category, but small mom-and-pop ski establishments should. While they may not be cultivating fresh produce, they’re producing something—you just can’t put it in a box. It’s everything from fresh tracks in pristine Utah powder to empowering the next generation of rippers to bringing families together. At Beaver Mountain, that’s the direct byproduct of three generations of love, sweat, and hard work poured into these slopes. It hasn’t been easy for the Seeholzer family, since running a ski resort is no small task. But the many ups and downs have their pay off. Every season they watch their guests fall in love with this mountain, and is there a better reward than that?

Learn more about Beaver Mountain

Watch TGR's full film In Pursuit of Soul on TGRtv now