Deer Valley’s Bob Wheaton among trio enshrined in Ski Hall of Fame

Right to Left: Steve Bounous, Raelene Davis, and Bob Wheaton after receiving their awards for being inducted into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame. Photo: Alf Engen Ski Museum

PARK CITY, Utah — Four ski industry pioneers were honored for their contributions to Utah’s winter sports landscape at the annual Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday.

Steve Bounous of Provo, Bob Wheaton of Park City, and Raelene Davis of Salt Lake City were inducted into the hall, joining 91 other notables in the 22-year-old institution housed at the Alf Engen Ski Museum in Utah Olympic Park.

Barbara Yamada of Park City received the museum’s Crystal Award for her extensive volunteer work.

The ceremony, attended by 300 people, took place at The Chateaux at Deer Valley.

Bob Wheaton’s journey at Deer Valley Resort began in 1979 as a maintenance worker. He rose to become president in 1997, earning acclaim for exceptional guest services. Under his leadership, Deer Valley was rated among North America’s top three resorts for 20 consecutive years in Ski Magazine reader surveys, claiming the top spot eight times.

Steve Bounous, son of Junior Bounous, a 2002 Hall of Fame inductee, served as Executive Director and Coach of the Snowbird Sports Education Foundation from 1989 to 2019. His career highlights include Junior National slalom and giant slalom championships, NCAA All-American status for the University of Utah Ski Team, coaching the 1988 Guatemalan Olympic Ski Team, and appearances in five Warren Miller films.

Raelene Davis, as Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Ski Utah for over 39 years, spearheaded promotional efforts that elevated Utah’s status in the global ski industry. Her initiatives, including the Utah Fifth Grade Passport and Fourth Grade Learn to Ski Programs, introduced 15,000 students to skiing and snowboarding annually.

The Crystal Award recipient, Barbara Yamada, was recognized for her volunteer service to the museum, Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, University of Utah Ski Teams, and the Utah Ski and Snow Sport Archives Board.

For more information on nominations and past inductees, visit the Alf Engen Ski Museum website.