Pepi Stiegler

Austrian born skier, Pepi Stiegler, was already a sports celebrity before the 1964 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Born Joesef Stiegler in 1937, Pepi started skiing at the age of 6 and was Austrian Junior Champion in international slalom when he was 15. He continued winning major races, including four international slalom titles, the Austrian National Championship, and a silver medal in the Giant Slalom at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley.

Pepi’s amateur career culminated when he won both a gold medal in the Slalom and a bronze medal in the Giant Slalom at the 1964 Olympic games in Innsbruck. With his double medal performance, he helped his country dominate the alpine events and cemented his status as the a national hero. Pepi continued to competed on the world pro tour and eventually served as coach of the Austrian National Team in 1965.

In 1965 Pepi received a call from Paul McCollister, founder of The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, who persuaded Pepi to make the move to Jackson and help the resort get on its feet. Thirty seven years later Pepi retired from his position as director of skiing for the resort. In his thirty plus years of service, Pepi made great contributions to the company. He founded the first ski school at the resort, eagerly lending his experience, enthusiasm, and expertise in the sport to all. As Ski School Director for over three decades, he developed one of the most prestigious ski schools in the United States. Pepi retired from Jackson Hole Mt Resort in 2002.

Pepi was inducted to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 2001. The Professional Ski Instructors of America-Intermountain Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Intermountain Hall of Fame in 2004. He is a graduate of Montana State University, attaining his degree in English Literature at the age of 66. Now days you are more likely to find Pepi ski touring in Grand Teton National Park or cheering for his son Seppi and daughter Resi, who are following in their father’s racing foot steps.

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