Jacques Bordeleau’s Ski Truck has been a part Sun Valley’s fabric for more than 2 decades. In 2 short weeks, it could become a memory. Many residents know that the truck is currently “installed” between the hospital and Hwy 75, on Jacques’ land which will become state land October 1. The truck is a 1965 F-100 Ford pickup that was sitting on Jacques’ property, very disabled with no rear axle and a torn-apart engine, etc, when he moved in around 1989.
As Jacques recalls, “a friend once picked up an old ski that was left here and threw it through the windshield 'javelin" style. That looked fun and I did the same. Pretty soon there were a number of skis just sticking out of it. I was planning to haul it off to the landfill, but then I scored more old skis from the Gold Mine dumpster...ones they declined to re-sell. I took them home and added them to the truck, and the project was underway. I kept bringing home more skis and total strangers would stop by and put their skis into the truck too and after a year or so, I began to paint the truck fenders and hood and doors with whimsical patterns, which are badly faded now. Soon it was becoming a landmark, though only visible from the bike path at that time [now the hospital]. I could tell strangers I lived at the Ski Truck and they would know where it was!” There are estimated to be about 60, now classic, skis in the truck.
The Ski Truck has appeared in Powder Magazine and in the local papers, and was once briefly on an unlicensed T-shirt sold at a few resorts across the country. If there is anyone (organizations included!) who has interest in becoming the new owner of this unique piece of Sun Valley history, please contact Lisa Wood on 208 720 2344 or lisa@woodphoto.net. (Jacques is in middle of moving and we all know how that is!)
