2011 Ski Hall of Fame

George Boyden was born in 1945 and moved with his family to Albuquerque in 1955. The family began skiing that winter and became season ticket holders at both La Madera and Santa Fe Ski Basin. They joined the Albuquerque Ski Club and built a family cabin at Taos Ski Valley. During junior high and high school, George was a member of the Junior Ski Club and served as president of the Highland High School Ski Club. He worked at La Madera and H. Cook Sporting Goods to be able to ski. He attended the University of Colorado 1963–65 and was a member of the same ski team under coach Bob Beattie that included many Olympic hopefuls.

He received his Rocky Mountain Ski Instructor Certification in 1966 and taught skiing at Sandia Peak and coached the UNM Girl’s Alpine Ski Team. In 1969, he became a Rocky Mountain Certified Ski Coach.

In March of 1966, George started work at the nearly completed Sandia Peak Tramway where his background knowledge of auto mechanics, electrical basics, math and chemistry and experience with ski lifts and ropes were put to good use. He was able to work with Adolph Zurbruchen, the head tram engineer with Bell Engineering during the break-in period of the tram and took over much of the maintenance responsibilities after the Swiss crew left. He also married Tooey Lanning in 1966.

During the early years of the tram operation, it became apparent that someone at the tram would have to become involved in the national and international lift organizations in order to stay in touch with the industry. George was the natural choice and came to become a leader in many of these organizations.

George has been active in the NSAA, served as Chairman of the Wire Rope Technical Sub Committee of ANSI-B77.1, a charter member and past president of OITAF-NACS—the North American Continental Section of the International Organization developed to promote the safety and operation of Transportation by Wire Rope, a member of the European Norm Wire Rope and Strand Committee of OITAF, and is active in the Rocky Mountain Lift Association. George was an active racer in the UNM Corporate Cup series and still holds his Instructor’s Certification. He has consulted many times with other ski areas and lift engineers.

George was the General Manager of Sandia Peak Tram for many years. He retired in 2017. He and his wife Tooey have raised 3 sons and have 6 grandchildren, all skiers or skiers to be.