Beaver resort is family owned, family friendly

LOGAN — Ted Seeholzer doesn't remember much about the first days of the Beaver Mountain Ski Area. After all, he was just 4 years old — and this was 74 years ago.

He does, however, remember a lot that's happened since, mostly good memories and some he still has difficulty talking about.

A fire in 1994 came within 50 feet of resort buildings. Teams from Utah, Wyoming, Arizona and Colorado fought the fire to its finish.

"After the fire, they told me this was one fire where every firefighter fought the fire as if it were his mountain. I had five other resorts offer people and equipment. It brings home what people think about you," he said, removing his glasses and brushing away tears.

Beaver Mountain is recognized now as the longest family-owned ski resort in the country.

Ted Seeholzer's parents, Harold "Harry" and Luella Seeholzer, bought into the ski resort idea back in 1936. Volunteers from Logan, including Harold Seeholzer, began running a small cable rope-tow in an area called the Summit. When volunteers tired of the responsibility, Harold Seeholzer submitted a proposal and the city of Logan accepted it. And the family jumped into the ski resort business.

While Harold Seeholzer watched the hill, Luella Seeholzer ran the kitchen, "Which was a small 10-by-12 shack," Ted Seeholzer said. "A lot of the food — soups and chili and hamburgers — was cooked at home, and we took it to the resort in boxes.

"I remember when $39 (in ticket sales) was a big day and days when in food services we made $2.50," Ted Seeholzer said.

In 1947, money was raised to build a road into the present location of Beaver Mountain.

Originally, Ted Seeholzer recalled, the offer from town officials was to build the resort at Tony Grove, a picturesque area down the canyon. Harold Seeholzer knew the area was not conducive to good skiing and pushed for Beaver Mountain instead.

Moving the resort down Logan Canyon was not easy.

"We tapped into a spring for water and got anywhere from two to four gallons a minute, depending on the year," Ted Seeholzer said. "When it froze, we hauled water in a milk truck. I remember running out of water and having to put a sign, 'Don't Use,' on the restrooms."

His mother continued to run the kitchen. Her refrigerator at times was a hollowed-out pile of snow. It wasn't until 1964 the family was able to build a lodge.