Valar, Paul

Paul Valar was born in 1920 in Davos-Platz, Switzerland, and died in 2007. He was instrumental to the development of the sport of skiing in New England. Valar wrote what is referred to as the “Bible of American Ski Instruction,” the Official American Ski Technique, published in 1964. The manual is still used by many ski instructors today. Valar was also a founding member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

Beginning in 1977, Valar served as president of Cannon Mountain Resort for seven years. He also founded the Franconia and Mittersill Ski Schools. At Mittersill, he served in several capacities, including director. Valar was heavily involved in the founding of the New England Ski Museum and served as its first president

In his personal life, Paul Valar was married to Paula Kann Valar, an Olympic skier and ski instructor. Valar and his wife were both inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame. The legacy of Paul Valar as a leader and instructor is still felt in New England ski areas today.