From War Orphan to Alaska Ski Legend

0:00Here's more Anchorage news for March 16th. Karl von Imhof grew up in Bavaria, Germany during World War II, losing both parents young. He built a career in hospitality there before moving to the United States. He worked at the famous Beverly Hilton in California, but Alaska became his forever home, where he transformed Alieska ski resort into a world-class destination. After immigrating, von Imhof headed north to the rugged state full of opportunity. He took on big roles in the ski industry, eventually rising to general manager, then chief executive and managing director of Alieska, which was owned, by Alaska Airlines at the time. On March 27th, 1964, von Imhof was in Anchorage during the massive Good Friday earthquake, a magnitude 9.2 shaker. He was at the airport when the control tower nearly crumbled around him. Instead of leaving, the scary event only strengthened his bond to Alaska. After his watch, the modest local ski hill got modern chair lifts, more lodging, better

1:02avalanche safety, and hosted top international events that put, Alaska skiing on the world map. He navigated plenty of ups and downs to make it happen, earning him the nickname Father of Alieska. In 2021, von Imhof published his book, Today, Alaska, Tomorrow's Z World, Sharing His Path From Postwar Struggles to Global Hospitality, Peaks. Even now, in his later years, he stays connected to the state that defined his life. We'd like to thank our sponsor for making this episode possible. Your pillow, your podcast, your moment, made for listening in bed, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com.