The October 26 induction of Toni and Ilse Woerndle into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame was a very special moment for Red River and the ski industry in the Land of Enchantment.
Held at the Sid Cutter Pavilion at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, Toni and Ilse’s sons, George and Rudi, accepted the award with the dignity, grace and humor that has been the family’s trademark for seven decades in Red River.
A large group of Red River friends and admirers were on hand to witness this great moment in town history. Some old friends had traveled long distances to be on hand, but no one was more moved by the ceremony than Gerdi Smink, Ilse’s niece, who had come from her home in Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany to witness the long-overdue honor.
Toni and Ilse came to the US in 1951, settling in Aspen, Colorado. Toni worked as a skier and a plumber while Ilse worked in the famous Red Onion restaurant. Soon they were able to purchase a cabin which would become their first Alpine Lodge.
In 1959, Toni was lured to a newly created ski area in Red River, New Mexico. He became director of the first RRSA Ski School. A year later, he and Ilse purchased the SEB Motel from the man who built and owned the ski area, Oklahoman Stokes E. Bolton. They renamed it Alpine Lodge. They would add a restaurant, a tavern that became the first après ski bar in town, a ski shop, a movie theatre, and additional commercial space. They also added more rooms for guests.
In 1977, they would build a ski shop across the street from the Alpine: Sitzmark Sports.
They were steadfast promoters of the town and the Woerndles’ contribution to the community – at the time a small summer-only resort – helped transform Red River as winter activities broadened the base of tourists eager for a quality vacation. They brought not only a vast skiing knowledge and experience from their native Germany, but also the flavor of the European skiing culture to this tiny mountain town.
The passing of Toni in 1981 left Ilse sad but, with the assistance of son George, the lodge and ski shop thrived.
Toni and Ilse join Red River NM Ski Hall of Fame members long-time RRSA owner Drew Judycki, John and Judy Miller who owned Powder Puff Ski Area on the west side of town and founded the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area, tireless marketing master “Mr. Wally” Dobbs, and skier/instructor extraordinaire Sigi Klein.
The New Mexico Ski Museum housing the NM Ski Hall of Fame is located at the base of the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway on the east edge of Albuquerque. It is open daily year round. The admission is free. The New Mexico Ski Hall Of Fame is a New Mexico Domestic Non-Profit Corporation established in 2004.
