The Ski School in the ’40s
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Villars, which had been spared the effects of the Great Depression in the 1930s, was irrevocably caught up in historical reality. The development of the ski area was put on hold, and the train up to Chamossaire was never completed… With borders closed and austerity imposed by the conflict, guests were much rarer and hoteliers suffered the consequences.
The famous “Kandahar” binding appears, and skis undergo considerable evolution under the influence of Abel Rossignol and his revolutionary process of manufacturing laminated skis (joining blades of hard, lightweight, and flexible wood through gluing). It was with these skis that Henri Oreiller triumphed at the 1948 St Moritz Games, ahead of Karl Molitor and James Couttet.
There is also a growing of awareness on the importance of trail preparation. Hence, the notion of “ski fields” becomes “ski slopes”. The first avalanche barriers are installed, markers put in place and the piste service developed. Slope preparation had not yet been mechanized, and was still done by tapping the snow with skis or pulling heavy rollers over the snow surface. To prepare for a competition, it was not uncommon to walk from the summit of Grand Chamossaire to Villars. It goes without saying that the Ski School played a major role in this effort.
While tourist activity declined sharply during the 40s, ski teaching developed considerably during this period. The 1941 Vaud law on ski masters requires instructors to hold a permit, which is subject to examination. As a result, the profession is much better organized, and the technical teachings are standardized.
Ferdinand Oguey took over the reins of the Swiss Ski School Villars in 1941, handing them over in 1943 to Jean-Louis Chable, a prominent figure within the Swiss Ski School, which he managed with a masterly hand for thirty-two years. All while coordinating the profession of ski instructor at cantonal and national level, Jean-Louis Chable has instilled seriousness and professionalism into the Swiss Ski School Villars.
In the late 40s, the Swiss Ski School Villars enjoyed an excellent reputation among its peers. This recognition will materialize in 1950 with Villars hosted the central course of the Swiss official skiing association.
