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This exhibit focuses on one little known aspect of Salt Lake County’s contribution to securing the safety of skiers at Alta ski resort.
The following is a timeline of Salt Lake County’s involvement with the Alta ski area.
1938
Alta is designated a ski area. Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Winter Sports Association, U.S. Forest Service, Utah State Road Commission, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce all combined efforts to create the ski area.
December 16, 1938
 Salt Lake County provided the U. S. Forest Service with a total of $2000 for the construction of the Alta Public Service Shelter and Water Development. This agreement was passed by the Salt Lake County Commission, and signed by J.B. Mullins, Acting Chairman of the Commission, and James E. Gurr, Forest Supervisor.
February, 1939
Excessively heavy snow fall and extremely cold temperatures recorded.
First recorded use of explosives in avalanche control, conducted by C. Douglas Wadsworth, U.S. Forest Service Ranger, and Carl Fahner, ski school director.
Snow slide buried the County road under an estimated 14 feet of snow. Salt Lake County Roads and Bridges crews were responsible for clearing the snow from the road, allowing accessibility to Alta. Salt Lake County worked for more than 35 days to clear the road.
Continue... Formation of the Mountain Guard
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