Local Slinger Skiing
Little Switzerland
This 2019 video short is based on Sociology Student community research. Student conducted a site visit to talk to workers and used observation, survey, and interviews to study Little Switzerland as a place where many age groups and groups connect.
"From listening to Jen Gilmore, it takes a lot of teamwork to coordinate events even on an average night at the ski hill." SHS sociology student after site visit
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
"Little Switz provides a place for members of the community as well as people outside the community to come together in one place and interact." SHS sociology student after site visit
"Little Switz and the village are greatly connected according to the village trustee. The owners give back to the community and get involved in activities within it. The ski hill isn't as independent as I thought it was." SHS sociology student after site visit
Work and Play at Little Switzerland
"The place was called Winter's Hill and was owned by Mrs. Mary Winter, who lived in a log cabin. I signed a 20-year lease with her." Ed Herte (Feb 1978, Jess E. Maxwell article, Skiing magazine)
Click here for the official website of Little Switzerland Ski Hill
Click here for select student feedback from a trip to the ski hill to interview workers
Click here for a story from Jane Herte about the rope tows, here for a story about ski jumps, and here for a story about music at the hill.
Click here for a story about Jane Herte's last time down the hill
Click here for a story about Group Sales
Click here for a story about Ski School Instruction
Click here for a story about Safety Patrol
Click here for a story about Bernie Palm (Nastar Skiier)
Click here for an overview of the runs at Little Switzerland.
Click here for a look at Little Switzerland Rail Jam (2016)
Herte installed the first two way, over the hill chair lift in the world. (Feb 1978, Jess. E. Maxwell article, Skiing magazine)
"I learned from Gretchen Rabideaux that Little Switzerland relies heavily on their family-centered customer base, and there there are over 300 seasonal employees hired each year." SHS sociology student after site visit
"According to Jen Gilmore, the most important thing in customer service is establishing human connection." SHS sociology student after site visit
How Little Switzerland Got Its Name (Jen Gilmore)
Grooming the Hill
(Christian Brandt)
Slinger HS Ski/Snowboard Teams
2018-2019 Snow board team members (photo submitted by Halle Wagner, state qualifier, shown on left)
Other Area Skiing Culture Stories
RACING
"At age 42, someone gave me a pair of skis when I moved to Wisconsin. I decided, if I was going to live in the cold, I might as well enjoy it. Since then, I've made the National Nastar Championships 17 times, and won it 8 times, and also competed in Badger State Games and won it for my age group 20 years in a row." Bernie Palm, 81 year old skier, Nastar racer, and frequent Little Switzerland customer (2018)