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Still Going Downhill

Legends of Showdown · The George Willett years, 1973–2020

1973 George Willett and Griz the Dog-

1973 George Willett and Griz the Dog-George Willett Collection

George Willett

Owner and manager, 1973–2020 — forty-seven years

Legend of Showdown

Born: 13 February 1941
First skied at Showdown: 1959
Became a regular: a Great Falls Ski Club regular at Kings Hill by 1970; on the hill as owner from 21 April 1973
Years at Showdown: 1973–2020
Positions: Nominated to the Board of Directors, Great Falls Ski Club, April 1971
Co-owner and general manager, 1973 – September 2020
President and general manager, Ski Lift, Inc.
Chief Product Tester — his own business-card title
Consultant, from 2020

What they did

4 entries

1973Renamed the newly purchased Kings Hill ski area Showdown, tying it to the region's frontier history
1975Founded Ski P.E., donating the lift ticket and equipment and charging only for the lesson; by 2007 it carried more than 5,000 children a season from schools up to 300 miles away
September 2020Sold Showdown to his daughter Katie Boedecker and granddaughter Avery Gold
Cut the runs Dynamite, Gun Barrel, Geronimo, Panhandle, Frisco and Ruby, in that order

Photographs

139 in the archive

1970: Bill Plumber, George Willett, Margie Willett, and unknown person — 1970: Bill Plumber, George Willett, Margie Willett, and unknown personGeorge Willett Collection

1973 George Willett — First winter at Showdown, near trail map — 1973 George Willett — First winter at Showdown, near trail mapGeorge Willett Collection

1973 George Willett and Griz the Dog- — 1973 George Willett and Griz the Dog-George Willett Collection

1974 George Willett — Film crew at Showdown, loading up the truck for the shoot — 1974 George Willett — Film crew at Showdown, loading up the truck for the shootGeorge Willett Collection

1974 Film Crew at Showdown Two guys with mule and George WIllett in black cowboy hat — 1974 Film Crew at Showdown Two guys with mule and George WIllett in black cowboy hatGeorge Willett Collection

1974 Film Crew at Showdown loading up truck with George Willett on right hand side — 1974 Film Crew at Showdown loading up truck with George Willett on right hand sideGeorge Willett Collection

1974 Film Crew at Showdown people moving around and George WIllett on far right — 1974 Film Crew at Showdown people moving around and George WIllett on far rightGeorge Willett Collection

1974 Film Crew at Showdown people standing around and George Willett on far right in denim jacket — 1974 Film Crew at Showdown people standing around and George Willett on far right in denim jacketGeorge Willett Collection

1976 George WIllett Cooking — 1976 George WIllett CookingGeorge Willett Collection

1977 George Willett in front of Wu Tungs Rental Shop — 1977 George Willett in front of Wu Tungs Rental ShopGeorge Willett Collection

1978 Triple Chair Construction, George Willett — 1978 Triple Chair Construction, George WillettGeorge Willett Collection

1979 George Willett and Margie Willett — Switzerland — 1979 George Willett and Margie Willett — SwitzerlandGeorge Willett Collection

1981 Don Hansen, Margie Willett, George Willett — Outside the lodge — Making pottery in the summer — 1981 Don Hansen, Margie Willett, George Willett — Outside the lodge — Making pottery in the summerGeorge Willett Collection

1982 George Willett and Ben the Dog — 1982 George Willett and Ben the DogGeorge Willett Collection

1987? George Willett teaching Charley Willett how to ski with a harness — 1987? George Willett teaching Charley Willett how to ski with a harnessWillett Family Photos

1988 George Willett skiing in powder — 1988 George Willett skiing in powderAdvertising Selects

1988 George Willett with Woman and Girl — 1988 George Willett with Woman and GirlAdvertising Selects

1988 George Willett, Margie Willett on Deck — 1988 George Willett, Margie Willett on DeckAdvertising Selects

1988 George Willett — 1988 George WillettGeorge Willett Collection

1988 George Willett & Little Girl on Skis — 1988 George Willett & Little Girl on SkisGeorge Willett Collection

1989 Charley Willett, George Willett, and unknown kid on deck — 1989 Charley Willett, George Willett, and unknown kid on deckGeorge Willett Collection

1989 Charley Willett, George Willett on lodge deck- Frank Ball Photo13 — 1989 Charley Willett, George Willett on lodge deck- Frank Ball Photo13Frank Ball Collection

1989 George Willett, Margie Willett - Frank Ball Photo — 1989 George Willett, Margie Willett - Frank Ball PhotoFrank Ball Collection

1989 Margie Willett, George Willett- Frank Ball Photo2 — 1989 Margie Willett, George Willett- Frank Ball Photo2Frank Ball Collection

1989 George Willett 2 — 1989 George Willett 2Frank Ball Collection

1989 George Willett Charley Willett — 1989 George Willett Charley WillettFrank Ball Collection

1989 George Willett — 1989 George WillettFrank Ball Collection

1990 Frank Ball Photo - George Willett 2 — 1990 Frank Ball Photo - George Willett 2Advertising Selects

1990 Frank Ball Photo - George Willett — 1990 Frank Ball Photo - George WillettAdvertising Selects

1990 George Willett, Betsy Willett View of Showdown from King's Hill — 1990 George Willett, Betsy Willett View of Showdown from King's HillWillett Family Photos

1991 Ed Noble Speaking, Margie Willett, George Willett — 1991 Ed Noble Speaking, Margie Willett, George WillettWillett Family Photos

1992? George Willett, Margie Willett, Charley Willett on Showdown Deck — 1992? George Willett, Margie Willett, Charley Willett on Showdown DeckWillett Family Photos

1993 George Willett and Lyle Cigler and Lewistown — 1993 George Willett and Lyle Cigler and LewistownGeorge Willett Collection

1993 George Willett and Lyle Cigler and Lewistown — 1993 George Willett and Lyle Cigler and LewistownGeorge Willett Collection

1994-95 George Willett Season Pass — 1994-95 George Willett Season PassSeason Passes

1994 Mike Gold — 1994 Mike GoldWillett Family Photos

1995-96 George Willett Season Pass — 1995-96 George Willett Season PassSeason Passes

1996 George Willett and Two Other Men — 1996 George Willett and Two Other MenGeorge Willett Collection

1996 George Willett on top of the Ridge — 1996 George Willett on top of the RidgeGeorge Willett Collection

1996 George Willett, Margie Willett 2 — 1996 George Willett, Margie Willett 2Diane Carter Collection

1996 George Willett, Margie Willett, Shane Dempsey 2 — 1996 George Willett, Margie Willett, Shane Dempsey 2Diane Carter Collection

1996 George Willett, Margie Willett, Shane Dempsey 3 — 1996 George Willett, Margie Willett, Shane Dempsey 3Diane Carter Collection

1996 George Willett, Margie Willett, Shane Dempsey — 1996 George Willett, Margie Willett, Shane DempseyDiane Carter Collection

1996 George Willett, Margie Willett — 1996 George Willett, Margie WillettDiane Carter Collection

1996 George Willett, Renee Kowalski Saint Patricks Day — 1996 George Willett, Renee Kowalski Saint Patricks DayDiane Carter Collection

1996 George Willett,Margie Willett Shane Dempsey, Deb Matucci, jessica Airhart — 1996 George Willett,Margie Willett Shane Dempsey, Deb Matucci, jessica AirhartDiane Carter Collection

1997 George Willett — 1997 George WillettDiane Carter Collection

1997 Summer Party George Willett, AJ Korselin setting equiptment up — 1997 Summer Party George Willett, AJ Korselin setting equiptment upDiane Carter Collection

1997 Summer party Jeff Solberg, George Willett 2 — 1997 Summer party Jeff Solberg, George Willett 2Diane Carter Collection

1997 Summer party Jeff Solberg, George Willett — 1997 Summer party Jeff Solberg, George WillettDiane Carter Collection

1999 George Willett talking to customer Prentice Run — 1999 George Willett talking to customer Prentice RunGeorge Willett Collection

1999 George Willett with people on Golden Goose — 1999 George Willett with people on Golden GooseGeorge Willett Collection

1999 George Willett in his Purple Coat — 1999 George Willett in his Purple CoatGeorge Willett Collection

1999 George Willett, — 1999 George Willett,Willett Family Photos

1999 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — The Terrain Park — Event Day — 1999 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — The Terrain Park — Event DayDiane Carter Collection

1999 George Willett, Shelly Milburn — White Sulphur Springs — Watching the Powder Pigs basketball game — 1999 George Willett, Shelly Milburn — White Sulphur Springs — Watching the Powder Pigs basketball gameDiane Carter Collection

2000 Summer Party Debbie Trenberth, Margie Willett, Katie Boedecker, Bonnie Noble, Dick Neble, Brandon Boedecker, George Willett on deck — 2000 Summer Party Debbie Trenberth, Margie Willett, Katie Boedecker, Bonnie Noble, Dick Neble, Brandon Boedecker, George Willett on deckDiane Carter Collection

2000 Summer Party Debbie Trenberth, Margie Willett, Katie Boedecker, Bonnie Noble, Dick Neble, Brandon Boedecker, George Willett on deck 2 — 2000 Summer Party Debbie Trenberth, Margie Willett, Katie Boedecker, Bonnie Noble, Dick Neble, Brandon Boedecker, George Willett on deck 2Diane Carter Collection

2000 Summer Party George Willett talking to people — 2000 Summer Party George Willett talking to peopleDiane Carter Collection

2000 George Willett — The Bar — 2000 George Willett — The BarDiane Carter Collection

2000 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — Terrain Park — Event — 2000 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — Terrain Park — EventDiane Carter Collection

2000 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — Terrain Park — Event — 2000 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — Terrain Park — EventDiane Carter Collection

2000 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — The Terrain Park — 2000 Joe Pope, Chris Quinn, George Willett — The Terrain ParkDiane Carter Collection

2000 Group of Snowboarders, George Willett — Terrain Park — Freestyle Event — 2000 Group of Snowboarders, George Willett — Terrain Park — Freestyle EventDiane Carter Collection

2002 George Willett — The Hole in the Wall Saloon — 2002 George Willett — The Hole in the Wall SaloonDiane Carter Collection

2004 George Willett accoss the deck celebrating — 2004 George Willett accoss the deck celebratingDiane Carter Collection

2004 George Willett on bar deck — 2004 George Willett on bar deckDiane Carter Collection

2004 George Willett the janitor — 2004 George Willett the janitorDiane Carter Collection

2010 Eric Held, George Willett at Top Rock — 2010 Eric Held, George Willett at Top RockGeorge Willett Collection

2010 George Willett Checks on Terrain Park feature — 2010 George Willett Checks on Terrain Park featureGeorge Willett Collection

2010 George Willett in Hole in the Wall Saloon — 2010 George Willett in Hole in the Wall SaloonGeorge Willett Collection

2010 George Willett making funny face — 2010 George Willett making funny faceGeorge Willett Collection

2010 George Willett with hands in air, tank the dog in front — 2010 George Willett with hands in air, tank the dog in frontGeorge Willett Collection

2010 George Willett, Baron Noble at top with lots of empty skiis — 2010 George Willett, Baron Noble at top with lots of empty skiisGeorge Willett Collection

2011 George Willett Skiing and smiling — 2011 George Willett Skiing and smilingGeorge Willett Collection

2011 George Willett with tongue out and skiing — 2011 George Willett with tongue out and skiingGeorge Willett Collection

2011 George Willett, Nick Hocevar, Sevyn Hocevar — 2011 George Willett, Nick Hocevar, Sevyn HocevarGeorge Willett Collection

2012 George Willett and Scott Mosher in T-Bar — 2012 George Willett and Scott Mosher in T-BarGeorge Willett Collection

2012 Laurie Hall and George Willett talking at Dick Halls memorial — 2012 Laurie Hall and George Willett talking at Dick Halls memorialGeorge Willett Collection

2012 Margie Willett, George Willett and Kaleigh Willett at Dick Halls memorial — 2012 Margie Willett, George Willett and Kaleigh Willett at Dick Halls memorialGeorge Willett Collection

2013 Labor Day Extravaganza 2013 Facebook Post from 09-05-2013 — 2013 Labor Day Extravaganza 2013 Facebook Post from 09-05-2013Showdown Facebook Collection

2014 George Willett Cable Splicing 2 — 2014 George Willett Cable Splicing 2George Willett Collection

2014 George Willett Cable Splicing — 2014 George Willett Cable SplicingGeorge Willett Collection

2014 George Willett, Hurley Willett — 2014 George Willett, Hurley WillettWillett Family Photos

2015 George Willett, Bonnie Noble, Katie Boedecker — The Lodge — Labor Day Party Facebook Post from 09-08-2015 — 2015 George Willett, Bonnie Noble, Katie Boedecker — The Lodge — Labor Day Party Facebook Post from 09-08-2015Showdown Facebook Collection

2019 George Willett — The lo — Brock Stokke Bump Off Facebook Post from 03-17-2019 — 2019 George Willett — The lo — Brock Stokke Bump Off Facebook Post from 03-17-2019Showdown Facebook Collection

2019 George WIllett with mountain in back — 2019 George WIllett with mountain in backGreat Falls Ski Patrol

2021 Unknown Facebook Post from 02-09-2021 — 2021 Unknown Facebook Post from 02-09-2021Showdown Facebook Collection

2021 Katie Boedecker, George Willett — Top Rock Facebook Post from 02-09-2021 — 2021 Katie Boedecker, George Willett — Top Rock Facebook Post from 02-09-2021Showdown Facebook Collection

2021 Unknown Facebook Post from 02-11-2021 — 2021 Unknown Facebook Post from 02-11-2021Showdown Facebook Collection

2021 Katie Boedecker, Shawn Patrick, Callan Patrick, George Willett, Avery Patrick — Porphyry Peak — Family Photo Facebook Post from 04-04-2021 — 2021 Katie Boedecker, Shawn Patrick, Callan Patrick, George Willett, Avery Patrick — Porphyry Peak — Family Photo Facebook Post from 04-04-2021Showdown Facebook Collection

2021 George Willett, William Gold, AJ Korselin, Jimmy Hoxter, Jared Burton, Kim Johnson, Bob Berland, Eryn Lansverk, Chris Quinn, Miles Klepper, Connor Klaue, S Facebook Post from 11-18-2021 — 2021 George Willett, William Gold, AJ Korselin, Jimmy Hoxter, Jared Burton, Kim Johnson, Bob Berland, Eryn Lansverk, Chris Quinn, Miles Klepper, Connor Klaue, S Facebook Post from 11-18-2021Showdown Facebook Collection

2021 George Willett, Rickey Nash Burton, William Gold — Swag Sweaters Facebook Post from 12-13-2021 — 2021 George Willett, Rickey Nash Burton, William Gold — Swag Sweaters Facebook Post from 12-13-2021Showdown Facebook Collection

Jesse Gregory, George Willett — Jesse Gregory, George WillettCharley Willett Collection

2022 George Willett — The base area Facebook Post from 02-13-2022 — 2022 George Willett — The base area Facebook Post from 02-13-2022Showdown Facebook Collection

2023 Margie Willett, George Willett — The Hall-O Facebook Post from 02-13-2023 — 2023 Margie Willett, George Willett — The Hall-O Facebook Post from 02-13-2023Showdown Facebook Collection

2023 George Willett — The Lodge Deck — 40 days skiing! Facebook Post from 04-26-2023 — 2023 George Willett — The Lodge Deck — 40 days skiing! Facebook Post from 04-26-2023Showdown Facebook Collection

2023 George Willett and Stan King in Georges Office in Lodge — 2023 George Willett and Stan King in Georges Office in LodgeGreat Falls Ski Patrol

2025 Katie Boedecker, George Willett, Avery Patrick — The Lodge Deck Facebook Post from 02-13-2025 — 2025 Katie Boedecker, George Willett, Avery Patrick — The Lodge Deck Facebook Post from 02-13-2025Showdown Facebook Collection

2025 George Willett — The Office Facebook Post from 12-31-2025 — 2025 George Willett — The Office Facebook Post from 12-31-2025Showdown Facebook Collection

2026 Callan Patrick, Katie Boedecker, George Willett — The Bar — The Showies Facebook Post from 04-08-2026 — 2026 Callan Patrick, Katie Boedecker, George Willett — The Bar — The Showies Facebook Post from 04-08-2026Showdown Facebook Collection

1970s Sandy Wirth, George Willett — The Lodge Apartment — 1970s Sandy Wirth, George Willett — The Lodge ApartmentGeorge Willett Collection

1980s Charley Willett, George Willett — 1980s Charley Willett, George WillettGeorge Willett Collection

1980s George Willett and Dave Cleary with Skiis — 1980s George Willett and Dave Cleary with SkiisGeorge Willett Collection

1980s George Willett and Margie Willett together — 1980s George Willett and Margie Willett togetherGeorge Willett Collection

1980s George Willett and Margie Willett with lodge in background — 1980s George Willett and Margie Willett with lodge in backgroundGeorge Willett Collection

1980s George Willett — 1980s George WillettGeorge Willett Collection

1980s Charley Willett, Margie Willett, George Willett — 1980s Charley Willett, Margie Willett, George WillettGeorge Willett Collection

1990s Bill Beacher and George Willett on the top of the mountain — 1990s Bill Beacher and George Willett on the top of the mountainGeorge Willett Collection

1990s George WIllett and Lyle Cigler skiing — 1990s George WIllett and Lyle Cigler skiingGeorge Willett Collection

1990s George Willett and Jamie Hurd, father daughter shot — 1990s George Willett and Jamie Hurd, father daughter shotGeorge Willett Collection

1990s George Willett on Snowbike laughing — 1990s George Willett on Snowbike laughingGeorge Willett Collection

1990s George Willett on deck with camera — 1990s George Willett on deck with cameraGeorge Willett Collection

1990s George Willett with sunglasses — 1990s George Willett with sunglassesGeorge Willett Collection

1990s Margie Willett and George Willett in bar — 1990s Margie Willett and George Willett in barGeorge Willett Collection

1990s Margie Willett and George Willett smiling on skiis — 1990s Margie Willett and George Willett smiling on skiisGeorge Willett Collection

1990s unknown, Margie Willett, Lyle Cigler, and George Willett on the mountain — 1990s unknown, Margie Willett, Lyle Cigler, and George Willett on the mountainGeorge Willett Collection

1990s unknown, unknown, Lyle Cigler and George Willett in powder — 1990s unknown, unknown, Lyle Cigler and George Willett in powderGeorge Willett Collection

2000s Geroge Willett and Margie Willett with skiis with mountain behind — 2000s Geroge Willett and Margie Willett with skiis with mountain behindGeorge Willett Collection

2000s Group Ed Noble, Geroge W, Ski Bikes edited — 2000s Group Ed Noble, Geroge W, Ski Bikes editedGeorge Willett Collection

2000s Group Ed Noble, Geroge W, Ski Bikes — 2000s Group Ed Noble, Geroge W, Ski BikesGeorge Willett Collection

1990s George Willett Skolfing — 1990s George Willett SkolfingGeorge Willett Collection

1980s George Willett, Margie Willett — With the lodge in the Background — 1980s George Willett, Margie Willett — With the lodge in the BackgroundGeorge Willett Collection

1980s George Willett — Skolfing — 1980s George Willett — SkolfingFrank Ball Collection

1970s Sandy Wirth, George Willett — 1970s Sandy Wirth, George WillettGeorge Willett Collection

1980's George Willett, Valerie Cleary — 1980's George Willett, Valerie ClearyWillett Family Photos

1980s George Willett, Charley Willett 1 — 1980s George Willett, Charley Willett 1Willett Family Photos

1980s George Willett, Charley Willett 2 — 1980s George Willett, Charley Willett 2Willett Family Photos

1980s George Willett — "One of his fever moments" — 1980s George Willett — "One of his fever moments"Willett Family Photos

1990s Bob's Bar, Tony Juntunen Jr., George Willett, Margie Willett, Chris Quinn, Idaho Trenberth, Dick Nebel, Jimmy Hoxter? — 1990s Bob's Bar, Tony Juntunen Jr., George Willett, Margie Willett, Chris Quinn, Idaho Trenberth, Dick Nebel, Jimmy Hoxter?Willett Family Photos

2000s Uncle Charley Willett, George Willett, Dick Hall and Ron Hall — 2000s Uncle Charley Willett, George Willett, Dick Hall and Ron HallWillett Family Photos

2010's George Willett, Margie Willett — 2010's George Willett, Margie WillettWillett Family Photos

Late 1970's George Willett — Late 1970's George WillettWillett Family Photos

1990s George Willett — Bike Ride on a summer day — 1990s George Willett — Bike Ride on a summer dayDave Elmquist Collection

1990s Charley Willett, George Willett, Jim Gold, Dave Elmquist — Little Belt Mountains — Summer Biking near showdown — 1990s Charley Willett, George Willett, Jim Gold, Dave Elmquist — Little Belt Mountains — Summer Biking near showdownDave Elmquist Collection

1990s George Willett — Bike Ride on a summer day — 1990s George Willett — Bike Ride on a summer dayDave Elmquist Collection

2000s George Willett — 2000s George WillettDave Elmquist Collection

2000s Dale Pugh, George Willett — 2000s Dale Pugh, George WillettDave Elmquist Collection

1990s Margie Willett, George Willett, Renee Kowalski — 1990s Margie Willett, George Willett, Renee KowalskiDave Elmquist Collection

All photographs of George Willett in the search →

In the papers

6 documents

Kings Crier UnnumberedDecember 1970 · page 2
Kings Crier UnnumberedMarch 1971 · page 2
Kings Crier Unnumbered — last issue of the 1970-71 seasonApril 1971 · pages 2, 4
The Showdowner Vol. 1 No. 2Winter 1979–80 · page 2
Showdown The quad-fold trail map1984–85 season · page 1
The Showdowner 1995–1996 Ski Season Newsletter1995–96 season · page 1

Search the papers for George Willett →

Also

Named for him the run The George, formerly Pay Dirt, February 2018
Built eight build events across thirty-three years — the 1973 lodge, beer lounge and parking, the 1978 triple chair, the 1981-82 learning area, the 1993 Top Rock, the 1994 warming hut, the 1997 doubling of the lodge and the 2006 lifts

Added by the people who were there