Squaw Valley Legend, Hans Standteiner Sr., Passes Away at 89

By Published On: May 31st, 2019Comments Off on Squaw Valley Legend, Hans Standteiner Sr., Passes Away at 89

Longtime Squaw Valley Ski School Director, Hans Standteiner Sr., passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning with friends and family at his side after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 89.

Born in Austria, Standteiner came to Squaw as an Olympic coach for Argentina when the Games came to the Valley in 1960. After making Squaw his home, he and his wife Alice raised five children in the area (Hansi, Barbara, Erika, Toni, and Heidi). Standteiner was Director of the Squaw Valley Ski School for a number of years and was always coaching up and coming racers in the Valley. Known as one of the most passionate and knowledgeable skiers to ever grace the Tahoe area, Standteiner was also an incredible conversationalist and made quick friends with nearly everyone he met.

All five of his children grew up racing at Squaw, with four competing on the U.S. Ski Team or NCAA level. Erica and Toni are known as two of the top coaches in Squaw’s program. Five grandchildren still participate on the Squaw Valley Ski Team and 5 more are alumni.

A service honoring Standteiner’s life will likely be planned for early July.

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About the Author: Sean Higgins

A Lake Tahoe native and University of Vermont graduate, Higgins was a member of the Catamounts' 2012 NCAA title winning squad and earned first team All-American honors in 2013. Prior to coming to Ski Racing Media, he coached U14s for the Squaw Valley Ski Team.