Wallace "Buddy" Werner was an internationally renowned alpine ski racer who died trying to out race an avalanche in the Swiss Alps on April 12, 1964.

A native of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Buddy had a breakneck style which caused spectacular spills but also enabled him to win virtually every championship available during his career. He raced for the University of Colorado in the mid 1950s and was selected for the U.S. Olympic Team in his sophomore year in 1956. Although Werner was a member of three Olympic Teams and never won an Olympic medal, he is considered America’s first truly world class ski racer, excelling in all three alpine disciplines.

Among his accomplishments were:

• Three-time Member, U.S. Olympic Alpine Team, 1956; 1960; 1964.
• The first American to win the downhill (1959) on the legendary Streif course on the Hahnenkamm at Kitzbuhel, Austria. It took another 44 years for another American to repeat Werner's success with Daron Rahlves winning the race in 2003 on a shortened course (due to fog).
• Two time winner of the Roche Cup, 1961; 1959. 
• Member, Federation International du Ski Alpine Team, 1954 (alternate); 1958, when he was the first American selected; 1962.
• Three time Holmenkollen Champion in Norway, with the best showing to date by an American Alpine skier in international competition, 1954; 1956; 1962.
• 1961 NCAA Slalom & Alpine Combined champion
• 1963 NCAA Alpine Combined and Downhill champion
• Three time National Alpine Champion in Giant Slalom, 1957; 1959; 1963.
• Posthumously inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame, 1964.

After Buddy’s untimely death, the councilmen of Steamboat Springs unanimously voted to rename the town’s ski mountain from “Storm Mountain” to “Mt. Werner”, in honor of their beloved hero and friend. The US Department of the Interior approved of the renaming, and the dedication ceremony took place in 1965. 

Today you can also visit the Bud Werner Memorial Library in Steamboat Springs. Truly the best way to experience a little Buddy Werner magic is to ski your heart out and cheer on your teammates in our Buddy Werner Youth Ski League. The League encourages our young skiers to emulate the values, work ethic, and sportsmanship demonstrated by the late, great Buddy Werner.