“Mayor” George Watson

George Watson, born in 1883, came to Utah in 1902 in search of a fortune. His colorful, often zany exploits as a miner, stock promoter, and early ski aficionado led to the establishment of one of the world’s premier ski areas: Alta, Utah. George acquired 80 seemingly worthless abandoned mining claims, including several hundred acres of land in the Alta Mining District. Not fazed by misfortune, Watson declared himself “Mayor” of Alta, likely its only resident, in the early 1930s. 

At this time, Salt Lake area residents were beginning to discover there was more to skiing than jumping and cross-country treks, and when the U.S. Forest Service was viewing the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon as an ideal site for recreational skiing, thanks to its ideal snow conditions. 

The U.S. Forest Service was able to acquire the additional public lands required, Watson eliminated his debt problems (looking like a hero in the process), and the Salt Lake Winter Sports Association began building a successful enterprise at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. “Mayor” Watson passed away at his beloved “Romantic Alta” in March 1952. He was later inducted into both the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame and the Ski Industry Hall of Fame in 1969.