Gene Landsmann Gemütlichkeit Award

The Gene Landsmann Gemütlichkeit Award is given each year in recognition of one individual from the membership of Ski Oregon who exemplifies the spirit of Gene Landsmann as an ambassador of skiing and the concept of Gemütlichkeit.

Gemütlichkeit is a German abstract noun that has been adopted into English.[1] Its closest equivalent is the word "coziness"; however, rather than merely describing a place that is compact, well-heated and nicely furnished (a cozy room, a cozy flat), Gemütlichkeit connotes the notion of belonging, social acceptance, cheerfulness, the absence of anything hectic and the opportunity to spend quality time.

Gene Landsmann was core member of Ski Oregon, representing Mt. Ashland ski area until his retirement in 2003. A native of Tyrol, Austria and member of the Austrian National ski team in his youth, Gene exemplified the concept of Gemütlichkeit in his every interaction in the state ski and hospitality industry.

Click here to view Gene Landsmann biography.

Nominations and Award recognition

Nominations must be submitted to the Ski Oregon Executive committee by email or mail by September 30, 2012. Email the Executive Committee at [email protected].

The Executive committee will consider all nominees and select one individual for recognition for each year to be included in the Ski Oregon magazine, and recognized on the Ski Oregon website. In addition, the individual will be presented an award during the annual Portland Ski show.

An individual award in the form of a Austrian style bier stein will be given to the Gene Landsmann Gemütlichkeit Award recipient.

A perpetual award will be maintained by Ski Oregon bearing a likeness of Gene Landsmann and describing the concept of Gemütlichkeit. The perpetual award will display the names of all individuals recognized by Ski Oregon. 

The 2012 Gene Landsmann Gemütlichkeit Award Winner is Steve Coxen

A Ski Oregon member since 1988, Steve personifies every element of Gemütlichkeit.  When he was president of Bergfreunde Ski Club, he expanded his club’s subsidized night skiing at Mt. Hood Skibowl to offer free lessons for new skiers, free recreational racing in PACRAT and other ski opportunities at Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows.

Steve has served as president of both Northwest Ski Club Council and Far West Ski Association.  When he held those positions he promoted the wonderful attributes of Oregon skiing at every opportunity, including National Ski Council Federation annual meetings.  In 2006 Steve encouraged skiers to try all Oregon ski areas by organizing the first Oregon Ski Challenge, a NWSCC event open to all skiers and snowboarders.  Prizes and awards were given to participants who could attest to skiing at all Oregon ski areas.

 In 2003, Steve was concerned about the passionate, but silent and uninformed legions of skiers and snowboarders in the Pacific NW.  Steve founded the Northwest Snowsports Advocates – an on-line organization founded specifically to inform and engage Northwest skiers on public issues related to ski area development, the environment, safety, and highway planning.  He serves as the driving force behind the Advocates by maintaining an internet presence at www.nwskiers.org, on Facebook and through his blog. 

Steve, honored with numerous ski club and council awards, has helped Ski Oregon achieve the bottom line -- growing skier visits in Oregon.

The 2011 Gene Landsmann Gemütlichkeit Award Winner is Bert Vanderwall

After the presentation of the award to Bert Vanderwall, a few Ski Oregon board members had the honor of skiing at Anthony Lakes with Bert. Click here to see the video.

Bert has been a presence at the ski area since its very beginning in the early sixties. Having served many roles in the operation of the ski area, he knows the mountain like no one else. Now in his eighties, he still skis several times a week and never hesitates to strike up a conversation while on the lift, coming down the mountain, or relaxing in the lodge. He personally knows the regular skiers and becomes an instant friend to visitors and newcomers. Those who have known Bert for many years express his worthiness of this award best: 

"As a skier at Anthony Lakes for the past 50 years, there is only one face and voice that to me exemplifies the area, and that is Bert Vanderwall. I have a picture of him in my mind, (from an actual photo), of me standing with Bert outside the old 'Warming Hut', with snow piled way up above our heads, and the snow caves he had no doubt helped us build. His baggy ski pants and long old wood skis on, and of course, smiling. Bert's heritage is Anthony Lakes. His Father, Roy, ran the rope tow and later the poma lift. He was an original stock holder in the area, when the locals polled their resources to build the initial structures and tows. Bert knows every inch of the mountain, and the backside. It's not just that skiing is in his blood...Anthony Lakes is in his blood.  He is Anthony Lakes." Contribute by Alice Trindle, former AL Ski Area marketing director.

"Anthony Lakes is his life! Bert operated the lift and started the cat skiing operation. He is single-handedly responsible to the ski area being what it is today." Contributed by Mike Lockhart, former AL Ski Area manager.

"Bert Vanderwall represents the middle generation of three generations that have worked and played at Anthony Lakes Ski Area Resort. In the early 1960’s his father, Roy, operated the “Bunny Hill” poma lift and made sure that my children and many others had a fun time learning how to ski safely. Bert’s three daughters followed in their dad’s footsteps with their love for the area and all became members of the ski patrol.

"In the early 1960’s Bert was Ski School Director, I worked for him as a ski instructor and Bert was also a member Anthony Lakes Volunteer Ski Patrol for 3-4 decades. From early on and still today, Bert is always looking talking and thinking about the beautiful Elkhorn Mountains, the scenery, the quality of the snow and above all the quality of the skiing guest’s experience.

"One thing that makes Bert a nominee for the Gene Landsmann Gemutlichkeit award is the many hats that he has worn at all times. Bert has been Mountain Manager, Ski School Director, Backside Tour Guide, in charge of lodge accommodations, groomer, maintenance man, ski patrol and mostly a gracious mountain host, with an enthusiasm that has not diminished over the decades. 

"He is also a musician and has provided accompaniment to the hymns with his guitar at the Easter Sunrise services at the top of the lovely Elkhorn Mountains for many years, providing all in attendance with awe for God’s beauty.

"At one time, he was part of a rescue team that found a lost skier and had to bivouac for the night with their rescue equipment; they got the lost skier dry and warm and in fact, saved his life because of the team’s knowledge of back country rescue. 

"Thanks to Bert and his family for their contribution to Anthony Lakes Ski Resort making it, “The Most Skiable Area in the USA” (quote from Skiing Magazine)." Contributed by Mike Gooderham, Active Charter Member of Anthony Lake Ski Patrol, Member #3455.