by Mike Matzinger
Alan K. Engen, born in 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a distinguished figure in the world of skiing, both as an accomplished athlete and a dedicated historian. Raised in a family deeply rooted in skiing—his father, Alf Engen, was a renowned ski jumper and pioneer of powder skiing—Alan’s passion for the sport was cultivated from a young age. He began skiing at the age of two and was competing by the age of nine. At 11, he joined the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at 13. His early involvement in Scouting was highlighted by his appearance on the cover of Boys’ Life Magazine in January 1952 and on the Skiing merit badge booklet.
Engen’s competitive skiing career is extensive, encompassing both alpine and Nordic disciplines. He was a five-time Intermountain Junior and Senior Ski Champion and earned All-American honors while skiing for the University of Utah. In the mid-1960s, he was a member of the U.S. Military Ski Team. In the 1980s, he secured six titles in the United States Ski Association Intermountain Masters series. His contributions to the sport were recognized with inductions into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame, and the University of Utah Crimson Club Athletes Hall of Fame. In 2007, he received Utah’s “Best of State” award as a professional athlete in sports and recreation.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Engen is a respected ski historian and author. He penned the award-winning book For the Love of Skiing: A Visual History in 1998, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of skiing in the United States, with a particular focus on Utah. He also co-authored First Tracks: A Century of Skiing in Utah in 2001. His dedication to preserving skiing history is further exemplified by his role as Chairman Emeritus of the Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation and Chairman Emeritus of the Alta Historical Society. Additionally, he served on the board of directors for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum and was a charter advisory member of the University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library’s Utah Ski Archives.
Engen’s commitment to the sport and its history has left an indelible mark on the skiing community. His efforts in both competition and historical preservation continue to inspire future generations of skiers and historians alike.