Painting by Recently Deceased Jay Peak Pioneer Donated to Jay Peak Ski and Summer Resort

On Sunday, Scott Wheeler of Derby (left) presented Bill Stenger (center), the president of the Jay Peak Ski and Summer Resort, with a painting by the recently departed Walter Foeger. The painting is a gift to the mountain from George and Carole Katz of Eastham, Massachusetts. Also in the photo is Steve Wright, the resort’s marketing director.

Walter Foeger, one of Jay Peak Ski and Summer Resort’s most innovative pioneers, passed away on February 10 in Nickeldorf, Austria. On Sunday, February 24, a painting by the resort’s former manager was bestowed upon on the resort by the family of one of the resort’s other pioneers, the late Alice Lewis.

Foeger worked at Jay Peak between 1956 and 1968, much of the time serving as its general manager.

The painting by Foeger depicts a view of the mountain resort in an earlier time is a gift from George and Carole Katz of Eastham, Massachusetts. Mrs. Katz is the daughter of Mrs. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis and Foeger were friends, co-workers, and confidents. Unable to hand deliver the painting herself, Mrs. Katz gave Scott Wheeler, the publisher of Vermont’s Northland Journal, a Derby man who has written extensively about the history of the resort, the honor of presenting the gift to the resort’s current manger, Bill Stenger.

Those involved in the American ski industry knew Foeger more than just the former manager of Jay Peak, but as a driving force in the U.S. Ski industry, and as an all around athlete including as a skier, as a hockey player, and as a tennis player. However, Mrs. Katz said it is not as widely known that Foeger was also an accomplished painter.

"We believe this painting represented Walter's vision of the Tram on Jay Peak, as he had painted it also on the wall in Foegerhaus,” Mrs. Katz said. “It was a gift to Alice Lewis, my mother, who also believed in Walter's dream as a co-worker with him for many years in the development of the mountain. We "inherited" the painting and having many happy memories at Jay Peak, wish to donate it, to be on permanent display at Jay in recognition and memory of Walter and his dream."

In accepting the painting from the Katzs via Wheeler, Stenger said, “I appreciate Alice Lewis’ family for thinking of us and donating this painting. The Lewis family has had affection for the mountain like no other for decades.” Stenger said that the painting will hang with honor at the resort. Sometime in the future he hopes to have a museum at the resort featuring the men and women who helped make the resort what it is today.

Reflecting on the life of Foeger, Stenger, who has headed up the resort for the last 23 years, said that he never worked with his predecessor, but he had the opportunity to spend time with him several times during the last two decades. Their last meeting was when he traveled to Ishpeming, Michigan, on April 28, 2006 to watch as Foeger was inducted into the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame.

“It was clear that after three days together that we had a mutual appreciation for the mountain,” Stenger said. He noted that the deep bond that they formed during those three days made for an emotional parting for the two men.

While Foeger is no longer on Earth, Stenger made it clear that the memories of Foeger’s time at Jay Peak, as well as the other pioneers of the mountain, will never perish.