By Bob Soden

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In early 1956 Jay Peak's board of directors decided that they needed a ski pro to launch their venture. Inquiries brought them many applications, and eventually Foeger. He was a boon to the organization. His seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm was contagious and secured the early success of the fledgling ski center. In January 1957, in deep snow, with a crew of volunteers (and his boss Haynes) he began cutting the "Sweetheart Trail". He had determined that the solitary "Open Slope" was too steep for his classes of beginners. In addition, he had to roll trails and sell tickets and hot dogs, assisted by Jay's first manager Don McNally.

For the next eleven years Foeger was devoted to the development of Jay Peak. In the summer of 1957 he laid out the "Montrealer" and the "Giant Slalom" trails; that fall the extension of Pomalift. In the spring of 1958 he organized Jay's "1st Annual International Giant Slalom". That summer more trails were cut, and in the fall he managed the installation of the 1800 ft. "Jet" T-bar. By 1960 Jay would boast a new double chairlift opening up a vast new area and more trails, including the "St. George's Prayer" and the 3-mile "Long Trail". Foeger personally laid out these and other trails and lifts.

A natural showman, Foeger put everything he had into boosting the area's charms, locally and on the ski-show circuit. He helped produce promotional movies, such as "White Trails" by W. Sylvester, about Jay Peak and Natur Teknik. He also spread the gospel on WIKE, a weekly radio show in Newport, Vt., hosted by Don Thurston.

In 1966 Weyerhauser Inc. became the principle shareholder of Jay Peak. Foeger was named vice-president and general manager of the mountain operation. He had championed the Weyerhaeuser bid as a means of raising badly needed development funds. He knew the ski business was very competitive, and an area had to innovate or be left behind. One of his dreams was to build an aerial tramway to Jay's summit, a dream he realized for the 1966-1967 season. Due to a fundamental philosophical difference on management styles, Foeger and Weyerhaeuser parted company in 1968.

After Jay Peak, Foeger moved on to assist Jim Moore, of Camelback, in developing the Dutchess Mt. ski area in N. Y. State. The new area of course offered a Natur Teknik ski school. He kept himself otherwise occupied and in shape by competing at tennis. He was Vermont seniors tennis champion for many years. He wrote an autobiography entitled "Through Heaven and Hell on Skis" (Hearthstone Books, 1970). In 1973 he was offered the Directorship of the Austrian Tennis Association, a position he accepted and ably maintained for a long period. That same year the leadership of ASTAN passed on to Marilyn Hertz, ski school director at Camelback, and the organization Foeger founded continued to promote Natur Teknik well into the 1980's. Natur Teknik was taught at Camelback until 1991.

¹ASTAN (American Ski Teachers Association of Natur Teknik)

Sponsor: Robert Soden
26 Easton Ave.
Montreal West, Que.
Canada, H4X-1K8

Endorsements: Marilyn Hertz, ski school director
Doug Pfeiffer, ski sports writer
Senator George Costes, Vermont

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