FWSA Awards

Elizabeth "Schatzi" Wood is one of the most recognized women skiers in the history of recreational skiing and the National Ski Patrol System. Born in the Bavarian Alps, she arrived in the US in 1920 as a governess to the children of the Miller family of Milwaukee.

A few years later she met her husband Ernest Wood while ice skating. She began skiing to be with her husband but only mastered the Sitzmark. Then in the 30s, when Hans Georg started to teach at McGee, Schatzi learned the modern ski technique.

In 1942, Schatzi was only the sixteenth woman to be named to the National Ski Patrol (NSP). In 1950, she was appointed section chief of the NSP at Big Pines. In 1951, she was awarded the National Ski Patrol’s Yellow Merit Star for her work as an outstanding patrolwoman.

Schatzi devoted 15 years of service, developing ways to make her sport better and safer, mapping her areas, applying first aid and conducting searches for crashed planes.

Schatzi was one of the leading women skiers during the formation of the California Ski Association. She was well known by skiers throughout Southern California as a strong skier who could outski most anyone, male or female. Her love for skiing continued to the day of her death at a grand old age of 67. While on a ski trip to Switzerland, Schatzi suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and two days later, she passed away in her sleep.

Schatzi was a long-time member of Grindelwald Ski Club. She was loved and admired by everyone. Hence, the nickname “Schatzi”, which means “sweetheart” in German.