The Museum is the dream of Alan Engen, son of Utah skiing patriarch Alf Engen, who died of natural causes in 1997 at the age of 88. The Norwegian-born Alf Engen is regarded as one of the world’s best all-around skiers.

With a staff of five, plus additional freelancers, Lone Peak Productions created eight interactive exhibits, provided research for several others, and produced a 10-minute audience orientation film. Bob Rock, president of Lone Peak Productions, and Shawn Emery divided the producing responsibilities; Tom Wright was the non-linear video and sound editor; Ray Opheikens and Trevor Lotz provided all the graphics and programming for the interactive elements.

“Perhaps the most challenging and rewarding aspect of the project was bringing to life the designs and concepts provided by Academy Studios, claimed Bob Rock, President of Lone Peak Productions. “They [Academy Studios] came up with some great designs, many of which pushed our technical boundaries. It is really rewarding to work so hard on something and see it work so well after installation.”

Lone Peak faced several challenges from the tedious job of researching archival footage to deciding the best way to run the exhibits projection, DVD, CD, or computer-based kiosks. In the end, Lone Peak installed six DVD players, four touchscreen activated computers, four programmable projectors, and a 54″ big screen monitor.

Source material included 16mm film, video, and stills. All original footage was shot on 16mm and transferred to DigiBeta at FilmWorkers Club in Dallas. The videos were edited on a StrataSphere, non-linear system and captured via Firewire using Final Cut Pro with Sorenson Developer Edition 2 codec. DVDs were burned on a Pioneer A103 Superdrive. Exhibits, such as Resort Profiles, required an elaborate interface that was created in Adobe Photoshop and assembled in Macromedia Director.

Lone Peak was founded in February 1979 as a production company providing complete film, video and interactive media services for local, regional and national accounts. These services include concept, scripting, on-location videography and cinematography, sound production, 2D and 3D graphics, post-production, and interactive production and programming services. With productions that run from sales, marketing, employee training, TV commercials, and documentaries, Lone Peak has become one of the dominant production companies in the Salt Lake market. Clients include such diverse accounts as the Veterans Administration, the US Forest Service, Kennecott Copper, Thanksgiving Point, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, Intermountain Health Care, Salt Lake City Corporation, the Salt Lake Community College, Marker Ski Bindings, and most of the major local advertising agencies.

Each of the exhibits showcases an aspect of Utah’s ski history. What follows is a synopsis of the exhibits produced by Lone Peak Productions.

Excitement of Skiing
Eight, yoke-mounted programmable Martin projectors wash the museum’s entrance wall with archival and modern skiing images.

Lake Effect
A push-button activated DVD-based video produced by KSL TV, the Utah NBC affiliate, uses 3D graphics and on-camera talent to discuss the unique topography and climatic weather patterns that produce Utah’s light, powder snow.

Ski Action Theater
Two video projectors with a center overlap give the viewer a wrap-around skiing experience as they select a skier point-of-view run down the Olympic downhill, the Olympic women’s slalom, or two feet of fresh powder at Alta, Utah. Using a small helmet mounted cigarcam, Lone Peak shot the powder footage while NBC Sports provided the Olympic footage. Transducers mounted under the viewer’s feet and a wrap-around screen provides a thrilling, immersive effect.

Ski History
Excerpts from three archival films are viewed on a 17″ Elo touchscreen monitor: “Margie of the Wasatch,” a post-World War II-era promotional film; “Ski Aces,” a Fox Movietone Newsreel; “Utah on my Mind,” a 1970s Utah Travel Council promotional film.

Resort Profiles
Ten Northern Utah ski resorts are profiled each using two fully-produced videos and an interactive question and answer element. Videos are viewed and navigated on 12″ touchscreens tied to central computers.

Beauty Footage
Two, 42″ plasma screens display a 25-minute looped video of scenic and action footage of Northern Utah. A majority of the images were shot by Lone Peak on 16mm film.

Avalanche
Actual avalanche footage originally shot on 35mm film rushes down a steep gully to bury the camera. The footage is viewed on a 54″ big screen television and uses 5.1 surround sound.

Audience Orientation film
A 10-minute dramatic film shot on 16mm uses an actor playing a “time traveler” who appears in four different historical times. The film draws from several archival footage sources and was mastered on DVD.