The Palter Family, members since 1968
When Harry Palter first pulled into Alpine’s parking lot in the late 1960s, there wasn’t much to see. A few skiers walking around, a modest clubhouse built mostly below ground, and the beginnings of what would become a second home for his family.
More than 50 years later, the Palters represent four generations of Alpine life. Last winter, at the age of 88, Harry was still skiing.
“If the snow’s good and the weather’s decent, I’ll go for an hour or so,” he says.
His wife, Esta, now off skis after two knee replacements, still comes to the hill to watch their great-grandchildren take their first turns. Their three sons — Gil, Steven, and Robert — all grew up at the Club, raced, coached, and eventually brought their own kids through the same program.
“It was every weekend, every winter,” says Gil. “We were always there.”
The next generation followed suit. All nine Palter grandkids were in the racing program at some point, and many went on to coach. Now, even the great-grandkids are starting to join in.
The Palters’ mark on Alpine extends beyond family participation. In its early years, Harry served on the Board, helping shape the Club’s ski school and racing programs. He also championed the creation of the Palter Cup, a Division 2 downhill event that ran for many years.
“It was something we wanted to offer to the younger racers — make it exciting for them,” he says.
Outside of organized racing and official events, the Palter boys found their own way to make the most of Alpine life. From night toboggan runs down Lower Alpine to makeshift dummy downhills and streaking through spring carnivals in the 70s, their childhood was equal parts competition and chaos.
“Things were a little less strict back then,” Steven laughs.
But even as the Club changed over time, one thing didn’t: the sense of community.
“Everyone knew everyone,” Gil says. “We were five years old skiing around without our parents. If you acted up, someone else’s parent told you off.”
For Harry, the reason they keep coming back is simple.
“It was just a great place for the family,” he says.
And more than five decades later, it still is.
Check out the original feature:
written by guest editor Maddie Johnson
published in Skidoodle, Winter 2026