Chester Murakami receives Legends Award

by Bill Kawahara

The Skiing Legends Award of the PSIA-NW recognizes those distinguished instructors who have made a significant life-long contribution to skiing. We at the Rokka Ski School would like to nominate Chet Murakami to be inducted into the highly esteemed group of senior members of the Skiing Legends.

For the past sixty years skiing has been a large and important part of Chet’s life. In about 1947 Chet’s first ski experience was in borrowed boots and skis, when his friends took him to Stevens Pass. Despite not having any lessons he thoroughly enjoyed the day, but decided that if he wanted to ski like his friends, he needed some instruction. After taking lessons from Nobi Kano and becoming an avid skier, Chet, along with Nobi, and several others resurrected the Rokka Ski Club in 1950. At that time it was an organization comprised mainly of Japanese Americans, all of whom enjoyed the sport of skiing. It was through the club that he met his future wife, Marty, who had also taken up skiing in the late 1940’s.

Rokka became a ski school in the late 1950’s, and Chet has been involved in the ski school as an active instructor first, then later as an administrator. Through his devotion to Rokka Ski School, Chet has been an outstanding teacher, technician, and an inspiration to countless younger students and instructors. In 1963 Chet passed the examination for Full Certification (now known as Level 3), and his certification number is 708. For Rokka Ski School he has led a number of instructor clinics, has helped numerous instructors prepare for their certification examinations, and served as co-director of the ski school for over thirty years. He currently serves as an advisor to the ski school. Even now at the age of 84, Chet goes up to the mountain, and assists in the organization and activities of the ski school.

Skiing has been and remains an important activity in the Murakami family. While the three children were growing up, the entire family went skiing on the weekends, and all three eventually taught for Rokka Ski School. His son, Rich, is a Level 3 instructor, and is Rokka’s current Training Director. His daughter, Lynn, is also a certified instructor. Even today, Chet and his wife of 54 years, Marty, go skiing at least twice a week during the winter.

Chet helped to shape one of the guiding principles for the Rokka Ski School, which is to promote the enjoyment of skiing in a safe manner. He has led by example, and has inspired numerous young people not only to become better instructors, but to appreciate the joys and beauty of the mountain, and in particular, skiing. For this, we are grateful, and appreciative of the countless hours Chet has spent in living and spreading his belief.

Thank you, Chet.

Editors note: this article was originally submitted to the Awards and Recognition Committee to nominate Chet for this award. Chet received his award on October 21, 2007 at the Seattle Fall Seminar. Bill Kawahara is a past Director of the Rokka Ski School.