I bet you didn’t know that 10th Mountain Division veterans started at least 62 ski areas in the USA.  10th Mountain Division vets even started Vail and Aspen.

“After the war, ex-soldiers from the 10^th Mountain Division fired-up America’s modern ski industry. They published ski magazines, opened ski schools, and established ski areas, including Vail, Aspen, Sugarbush, Whiteface Mountain and others. At least 62 ski resorts have been founded, managed, or employed head ski instructors that were 10^th Mountain Division veterans.” – thestormking.com

The 10th Mountain Division.  That name is legendary in the ski & snowboard industry, but not many know much about these guys. I’ve looked into this group and have been blown away by what they did during the war and what they did for skiing in the USA.  In light of recognizing Veterans Day today, I’d like to share some basic information about the legendary 10th Mountain Division and what they did for us in war and in peace.

The 10th Mountain Division trained in various places from 1943-1944, including their base at Camp Hale (9,200 ft near Leadville) in Colorado and at Cooper ski area.   Mountaineering experts Jim & Lou Whittaker (first American to summit Everest & founder of Rainier Mountaineering Inc., respectively) were hired to train these men in Camp Hale and on Mount Rainier, WA.  The 10th trained hard to live, sleep, climb, ski, and fight on snow in the harshest conditions.  During maneuvers, the 10th would lay down their skis on the snow, throw their double sleeping bags on top of that and call it good for the night.  This training created some of America’s strongest soldiers, and they were called on to prove it.

In late 1944 the 10th was shipped to Italy, fought courageously against the Nazis in many battles, and saw 114 days of combat.

After World War II, many 10th Mountain Division warriors came home to the USA and continued skiing.  10th Mountain Division veterans started much of the US ski industry. It’s valid to say that the USA’s ski industry would never have become widespread without these warriors.

The 10th Mountain Division still fights on today.  The 10th has been involved in both the Afghanistan & Iraq wars since 2001, and they’re still out there.

Every time I see that 10th Mountain Division sign on highway 89 in Lake Tahoe, I think of these guys and what they did for our country and for skiing. Thank you to the 10th and all of America’s warriors.

The 10th Mountain Division in WWII:

– Arrived in Italy on January 6th, 1945 & immediately entered combat

– Fought in the roughest terrain of Italy during WWII

– Saw combat in  Cutigliano, Battle of Monte Castello, Monte

Della Torraccia-Mount Belvedere,  Canolle,  Mongiorgio, Torbole and Nago.

– 992 killed in action

– 4,154 wounded in action

– 114 days of combat

– 1  Medal of Honor (John D. Magrath)

– 3 Distinguished Service Crosses

– 1 Distinguished Service Meda

– 449 Silver Star Medals

– 7 Legion of Merit Medals

– 15 Soldier’s Medals

– 7,729 Bronze Star

– The division was awarded two campaign streamers

 The goal was clear: defeat the Nazis who were entrenched high in the snowy mountains of Italy. Drawing together an elite group of champion skiers, mountain climbers and European mountaineers, the U.S. Army created the 10th Mountain Division, America’s only mountain and winter warfare fighting unit. From the intensive training atop the Colorado Rockies to the spectacular night climb of Italy’s Riva Ridge – where the 10th scored their biggest victory against Hitler’s troops – Fire on the Mountain tells the thrilling story of these rugged, courageous men in all their glory. – Fire on the Mountain Movie

MORE 10th MOUNTAIN DIVISION INFO:

by Wikipedia

The 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) is a light infantry division in the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. The division is a subordinate unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps. Originally constituted as a unique mountain warfare unit, the division was the only unit of its size in the US Army to specialize in fighting in mountainous and arctic conditions, thus earning the division the “MOUNTAIN” tab. Today, the division retains its “mountain” designation for historical purposes and is organized as a light infantry division.

Originally activated as the 10th Light Division (Alpine) in 1943, the division was redesignated the 10th Mountain Division in 1944 and fought in Italy’s mountains in some of the roughest terrain in the country. Following the war, the division was deactivated, reactivated, and redesigned as the 10th Infantry Division in 1948. The division first acted as a training division and, in 1954, was converted to a full combat division and sent to Germany before being deactivated again in 1958.

Reactivated again in 1985, the division was designated the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) to historically tie it to the World War II division and better describe its modern disposition. Since its reactivation, the division and/or elements of the division have been deployed numerous times. The division has participated in Operation Desert Storm(Saudi Arabia), Hurricane Andrew disaster relief (Homestead, Florida), Operation Restore Hope and Operation Continue Hope (Somalia), Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti), Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo), and several deployments as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (Sinai Peninsula). Since 2001, the division and its four combat brigades have seen over 20 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively.

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As Steamboat Ski resort celebrates more than five decades of world class skiing and snowboarding, it’s the history behind the place known as Ski Town, U.S.A.^® that gives the town its unique character.

Steamboat’s history goes back as early as the 14th century when it is believed that the nomadic Ute Indians spent summers in the Yampa Valley. The Utes roamed the vast lands alone until the 1800s, when early settlers ventured into the valley.

Three French fur trappers traveling down the Yampa River are said to have named Steamboat Springs in 1865. One man heard a chugging sound like that of a paddle wheel steamer. The men hurried toward the sound and found it to be a bubbling mineral spring. The numerous springs around Steamboat are still popular today as a source of relaxation and are rumored to have medicinal benefits.

Steamboat Springs’ first permanent settler was James Harvey Crawford, who discovered the Yampa Valley region while on a hunting trip along the Gore Trail in fall 1874. Crawford staked a homestead claim during this trip and moved to Steamboat Springs the following year with his family.

Stories about the beauty of the Yampa Valley spread, and other families relocated to the area. Among the early pioneers were prominent Missourians Perry A. Burgess and William H. Walton. Along with Crawford and a few others, they entered preemption laws for the town site known as Steamboat Springs. Each took 160 acres and registered a homestead, forming the first community.

The first major catalyst to growth came in summer 1883, when H. H. Suttle opened a sawmill. With the capacity to produce logs for homes and stores, further community development was assured. One of the first businesses to open was the Steamboat Pilot newspaper, which printed its first edition on July 31, 1885. By 1886, the town business district also included a general store, post office and hotel.

Origins of skiing in Steamboat: Communication with the outside world was difficult due to long winters and poor road conditions. On snowshoes and skis, mail carriers delivered letters and parcels. Faced with mountain passes and the prospect of settling where winter lasts six months and averages nearly 30 feet of snow, pioneers quickly learned to travel the same way.

In the early 1900s, the same hardy settlers who battled winters to survive began turning the hills of Routt County into a winter playground. The change accelerated with the help of Norwegian Carl Howelsen, who arrived in Steamboat Springs in 1912. Soon after his arrival, Howelsen was ski jumping off a wooden platform in Strawberry Park and teaching the sport to local youngsters.

In 1913, Howelsen organized the first Winter Carnival and jumping competitions. During the 1917 Winter Carnival, Steamboat Springs honored the man who transformed skiing from a means of transportation to a sport by naming the ski slope Howelsen Hill.

As skiing grew more popular, adventurous downhillers sought new hills to test their abilities. When Rabbit Ears Pass opened to winter traffic in 1938, the Forest Service cut two runs down the back slopes of the pass to the Valley View Lodge. For the next few years, numerous Winter Carnival events took place on these hills.

A ski resort is born: In 1955, Jim Temple, son of a local ranching family, spearheaded the development of Steamboat Ski Area in response to the growing popularity of the sport, and the new hill opened in 1961 with one Poma lift, the Cub Claw, and $2 lift tickets.

The ski area did not open for the 1961/62 season due to the inability of a lift manufacturer to complete an order for a double chairlift. Storm Mountain officially reopened January 12, 1963, with a double chairlift and an A-frame warming house.

The day’s cash receipts were $13.75, and the temperature hovered at -25 degrees F. The two years following were profitable for the ski area, which helped in gaining permits from the Forest Service to expand the area.

Steamboat lost its favorite son when hometown Olympic skier Buddy Werner was killed in an avalanche in Switzerland on April 12, 1964. Storm Mountain was renamed Mount Werner in his honor.

By the end of the decade, Mount Werner had five new chairlifts, a modern restaurant facility atop Thunderhead Peak, ski patrol buildings, a nursery and numerous maintenance and snow vehicles. This million-dollar building boom generated excitement and development, making tourism a prominent part of the local economy.

The 1st International Winter Special Olympics were held on Headwall during February 1977. The event brought athletes from around the world together for four days of competition. Special guests included Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner, Colorado Governor Richard Lamm, Ethel Kennedy, Eunice Shriver and Steamboat Director of Skiing Billy Kidd. In addition, Kidd played host at Steamboat to the first Jimmie Heuga Express for MS in 1986, starting a tradition that has spread to resorts across the country.

Steamboat illuminated a new tradition when night skiing and riding premiered on December 20, 2014, utilizing Snow-Bright Lighting, a new technology developed by Ultra-Tech Lighting. Spread across 85 light towers with more than 375 full-color spectrum lights, the system employs a comprehensive line of magnetic induction lighting specifically tailored to address the complexities and unique requirements of illuminating snow in all its varieties while minimizing glare and reflected light. Roughly 1,100 vertical feet of terrain off the Christie Peak Express chairlift is available on five trails including Sitz, See Me, Vogue, Stampede and Lil’ Rodeo Terrain Park.

Ownership of the ski resort changed several times in the 1970s and ’80s. Previous resort owners include LTV Recreational Development, Inc. (1969-1979); Northwest Colorado Ski Corporation spearheaded by Martin Hart (1979-1989); and Kamori International (1989-1997). Steamboat was purchased by American Skiing Company during the 1997/98 season. In March 2007, Intrawest ULC (www.intrawest.com), a world leader in experiential destination resorts, acquired Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. Including Steamboat, Intrawest has a network of resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Blue Mountain, Snowshoe, Stratton, Tremblant, Winter Park and Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world.

Ski Town, U.S.A.^®: Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.^® was founded by hardworking, friendly individuals and families that enjoyed making turns through the endless deep powder of Storm Mountain and the Yampa Valley. Members of the Werner, Fetcher, Temple, Crawford, Perry, Wren and Nash families as well as Billy Kidd, Moose Barrows, Nelson Carmichael and a plethora of other Steamboat Olympians can still be found enjoying all that Mount Werner has to offer, including its legendary Champagne Powder^® snow.

Many things have changed throughout Steamboat’s history, but one has remained steadfastly constant throughout the past five decades: its legendary Champagne Powder snow. It’s always light, dry and plentiful! And, after more than 50 years, you still can’t get Billy, Nelson, Moose or pioneering founders to tell you where their favorite powder stashes are located.

Since its humble start, Steamboat Ski Resort has grown into one of the premier resorts in the world offering 18 lifts, 165 trails and more than a dozen on-mountain restaurant facilities, all spread over 2,965 acres/1,200 hectares.

When Carl Howelsen introduced recreational skiing to Steamboat Springs in 1913, he could never have realized the tradition he was starting. Steamboat has produced more winter Olympians than any other town in North America — a record 88 and counting.

Perhaps the town’s Olympic heritage is due to the fact the community not only allows the kids to get out of school for a race, they encourage it. Perhaps it’s because of one of the largest winter sports clubs in the United States: the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Whatever the reason, Steamboat is sure to always remain Ski Town, U.S.A.^(R)

Check out our video showcasing the unprecedented Olympic heritage that Steamboat continues to foster.  

Steamboat By the Numbers:

Lift system:	Gondola (8-passenger)	1
	High-speed six	1
	High-speed quad	6
	Triple chairlift	5
	Double chairlift	4
	Surface lifts	1
	Total	18
Uphill capacity:	41,505 per hour
Terrain parks:	Terrain parks	4
	Halfpipes	1
	Mini halfpipes	1
Night skiing	Ultra-Tech Lighting
	Lifts	1
	Trails	5
	Terrain parls	1
	Light poles	87
	Vertical	1,100′

Aspen and Aspen Skiing Company both have long rich histories. There was a thriving population in this valley years before anyone dreamt of a world-class mountain resort. Here is one version of Aspen’s lively past.

 
Over a century ago, silver prospectors braved the wilderness of the upper Roaring Fork Valley, one of the favorite summer hunting grounds of the Ute Indians, to discover one of the richest silver lodes in the world. The prospectors came from Leadville, and crossed the Continental Divide at nearly 12,100 feet. Thirteen hardy prospectors endured the winter of 1879 to protect their claims. They named the camp, Ute City, but by that spring had changed the name to Aspen.

 
By 1890, thousands of fortune seekers had arrived in Aspen to stake their claims. Just three years later there were more than 12,000 residents in Aspen. Even following the silver crash of 1893, one of the largest nuggets of silver was mined in 1894, weighing more than 1,800pounds. Many mining camps were temporary settlements, but Aspen residents strove for permanence. Among the many beautiful examples of Aspen’s Victorian elegance that remain in use today are the Wheeler Opera House and the Hotel Jerome.

 
Aspen’s fortunes fell in 1893 when Congress repealed the Sherman Act, effectively ending the silver standard. Many of the larger mines shut down and as mining declined, the local economy became more dependent upon ranching and farming. By the 1930s, Aspen’s population had shrunk to approximately 700 people and Aspen experienced the period referred to as the “Quiet Years.”

 
During the mid-30s, a new group of pioneers began to discover the Roaring Fork Valley, as they searched for the ideal location for a ski resort. They hired famous Swiss avalanche expert Andre Roch to survey the area and its snow. Enterprising locals constructed the original “boat tow” ski lift on Aspen Mountain. One run was cut on the face of Aspen Mountain, called Roch Run. The National Downhill and Slalom races were held on this run in 1941.

 
Skiing in Aspen was then spurred on by the presence of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, who was doing their World War II training in nearby Camp Hale. Many of the early 10th Mountain Division’s soldiers, including Friedl Pfeifer, returned to Aspen following the war and began buying mining claims and surface rights with the idea of building a world-class ski area.

 
Financial backing was provided by Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke. Paepcke and his wife, Elizabeth, were also interested in the community’s prospects as a summer cultural center. Aspen Skiing Corporation was formed in 1946 and Lift 1 officially opened on January 11, 1947.

In 1958, Pfeifer sold his interest in the Aspen Skiing Corporation and began to develop Buttermilk Mountain. At the same time, Whipple Van Ness Jones began building Aspen Highlands Ski Area. The Aspen Skiing Corporation bought Buttermilk in 1963 and a year later joined forces with real estate developer Bill Janss to build a fourth ski area 12 miles from Aspen. Snowmass at Aspen opened in 1967.

 
Aspen Skiing Corporation enjoyed growth and prosperity under the leadership of D.R.C. Brown, known as Darcy, whose father first came to Aspen in the late 1800s. 20th Century Fox bought the company in 1978. Aspen Skiing Corporation became Aspen Skiing Company in 1981, when Marvin Davis bought 20th Century Fox and it became privately held. Fox began to sell off its interest in ASC and by July 1985, the company was owned by the Crown family and a partnership called MKDG. The Crowns bought out MKDG and became sole owners in 1993.

Aspen Skiing Company began to diversify its interests in the late 80s, in response to the many changes taking place in the ski industry. ASC began construction on The Little Nell hotel in 1988 and the luxury hotel opened its doorsfor business in 1989. It is now recognized as one of the finest hotels in the world, gaining recognition as both a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond property. Only 53 properties in North America have achieved this level of recognition for its service facilities.

 
The Crowns and ASC purchased Aspen Highlands in 1993, in a joint partnership with developer Gerald Hines. The Aspen Skiing Company purchased The Limelight Lodge in April of 2010, and even though the property was completely renovated in 2008, the company made further improvements such as the addition of a restaurant, expanded amenities as well as complimentary ski programs. The company rebranded the property in 2012 as The Limelight Hotel, repositioning this Aspen institution as Aspen’s most inviting hotel.

 
ASC also operates 17 restaurants and 19 retail stores. Restaurants including element 47, Ajax Tavern, the Sundeck and Aspen Mountain Club on Aspen Mountain, Bumps and the Cliffhouse on Buttermilk, Cloud Nine and Merry-Go­ Round at Highlands and Elk Camp, Sam’s Smokehouse, Lynn Britt Cabin, Ullrhof, Up-for-Pizza, and Two Creeks on Snowmass. ASC’s retail stores are also located throughout all four mountains. Summer operations continue to be a more important part of the business, as the area has become a year-round destination resort.

Aspen Fast Facts:

Year Opened: 1947
Season bates: November 26, 2015-April 17, 2016
Base Elevation: 7,945 ft/2,422 m
Summit Elevation: 11,212 ft/3,418 m
Vertical Rise: 3,267 ft/996 m
Terrain: 675 acres/273 hectares
Number of Trails: 76
Miles/km of Trails: 64 miles/103 km
Longest Run: 3 miles/4.8 km
Steepest Run: Elevator Shaft section of the Silver Queen run-slope angle of 42
Types of Trails: Easiest- 0%, More difficult – 48%
Most difficult – 26%, Expert – 26%
Lifts: 8 Total – 6 primary – 1 six-passenger gondola: Silver Queen Gondola*; 1 high-speed quad: Ajax Express; 1 high­speed double: Ruthie’s; 1 quad: Gent’s Ridge; 2 doubles: Shadow Mountain, FIS;
2 secondary – 1 quad: Little Nell; 1 double: Bell Mountain * foot passengers permitted  

Lift capacity 10,755 riders/hour

BEST KNOWN FOR: Steep bump runs that drop right into the town of Aspen. 

The clubs has also had some promotional jumps. Once the Norge ski club rented out Navy Pier in Chicago and set up a jump where the jumpers landed in the water.

Another big event was when the Norge Ski Club rented out Soldier Field in Chicago and built a huge scaffolding for a jump event. They used crushed ice instead of snow to jump from and land on. It must have been exciting to jump from this tower at Soldier Field.

The club was started in 1905 by a group of Norwegian men. Most lived in Chicago and came out to Fox River Grove to ski jump. They created cottages on our club grounds to give them a place to stay while they were working on building up the club grounds or just having fun ski jumping. Over the years, men and women of all nationalities have joined the club to experience the thrills and enjoyment of ski jumping.  The early years of the club, huge crowds came in from Chicago and its suburbs to see our tournaments.

History of Telluride Ski and Golf Resort

Telluride Ski Resort and the historical Town of Telluride have their roots firmly planted in the mining industry. In 1964, Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District for its outstanding degree of historical significance due to its early mining history. Gold was first discovered in the Telluride region in 1858, bringing with the discovery a boom of population and business looking to capitalize on the area’s natural resources. At the height of the Gold Rush nearly 5,000 people inhabited Telluride, and the town boasted more millionaires per capita living in the community than in New York City at the turn of the century. By 1904, more than $360 million of gold was pulled out of Telluride’s mines. However, the world of mining was tough and would set the town on a boom and bust cycle until the development of a ski resort in the 1970’s.

History of Telluride: The Birth of a Ski Area

The miners brought the original interest in skiing in 1937 when William H. Mahoney, erected a primitive tow rope fashioned from a Volkswagen engine near Town Park’s Beaver Pond. Bill “Senior” Mahoney first worked as an Idarado Mining Company shift boss and was instrumental in developing the larger Telluride Ski Area.

As the times changed, Telluride’s boom days started moving toward bust. Many of the area’s mines shut down in the 1950’s, and the population dwindled from thousands to hundreds as people left in droves to find their fortunes elsewhere.

In 1968, Joe Zoline, a Chicago and Beverly Hills based businessman, heeded the advice of a friend from Aspen from years earlier who suggested he check out Telluride, thinking it would make a great ski area. Zoline bought a sheep ranch located at the base of the mountain sight unseen and seeing the potential profits of a running a ski resort, went about creating a ski resort from scratch.

His first step was to hire Emile Allais, a French Olympic skier to consult on the design and layout of the mountain. He enlisted the help of Bill “Senior” Mahoney and Ed Bowers to cut trails, clear slopes, and obtain land-use rights, mining claims, and water rights for the ski company and hired ecologists and environmental planners and encouraged local preservationists to protect the Victorian-era town. By late 1970, the Ski Area offered snowcat skiing for $10 a day including a sack lunch. The next year, five lifts were constructed, and Zoline’s vision became a reality on December 22,^, 1972 when the Telluride Ski Resort officially opened.

Throughout the remainder of the 1970’s the resort slowly expanded, adding access to town via the Coonskin Lift in 1975. In 1978, two Colorado Natives, Ron Allred and Jim Wells of the Benchmark Corporation in Avon, Colorado, purchased the ski area.

The Allred and Wells Era

When Allred and Wells purchased the resort, their long-term goal was to transform Telluride into a world-class destination through lift upgrades, construction of on-mountain restaurants and trails and the development of a high-end community on the mountain.

In 1987, Allred and Wells’ plans came to fruition with the founding of Mountain Village. This luxury community became the base of the Ski Resort operations and included lodging, restaurants and skier services. The Resort also added an 18-hole golf course in 1992 to create a year-round tourist destination offering activities catering to a wide range of guest interests

The Gondola connecting the historic town with the new luxury Mountain Village opened on December 20, 1996 and provided a unique, sustainable and efficient means of transportation between the two towns to help eliminate cars on the road. The free 13 minute scenic ride is the first and only transportation of its kind in the county and has become one of the destination’s largest attractions, a favorite of families who visit the region.

The Morita Years

In July 1999, Allred and Wells acquired a joint-venture partner, Hideo “Joe” Morita of Morita Investments International (MINT). In addition to a new partner this year also brought the upgrade of three lifts as well as the grand opening of the Telluride Conference Center, and the resort’s flagship fine-dining restaurant Allred’s. Perched above Telluride at gondola station San Sophia the vistas from the 25 foot floor to ceiling windows earned its reputation as the best views in Telluride. The rustic elegance, exquisite food, and fine service catapulted it to be one of the region’s best dining spots.

By March of 2001, Morita purchased 100 percent of the Telluride Ski and Golf Company (TSG), taking the vision of Allred and Wells into the 21^st century. Mr. Morita gave the resort the flexibility and latitude to focus on guest service and significant improvements like $3.1 million investment to increase snowmaking capacity and significant terrain expansion. The resort nearly doubled in size with the addition of Prospect Bowl, which added 733 acres of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain providing some of the most scenic skiing in North America with a run for every ability level.

Chuck Horning and Current Times

In February of 2004, the resort transferred hands to Chuck Horning, a real estate investor from Newport Beach, Calif., who remains the current owner today. Horning’s tenure has brought even more terrain expansion and has allowed the Resort to make unique strides towards creating high end, unique dining experiences as well as become more involved in the local lodging community by acquiring a boutique hotel, The Inn at Lost Creek in Mountain Village and taking over the operations of the iconic property The Peaks Resort and Spa.

Between 2005 and 2009 the ski resort opened some of its most legendary terrain, including Mountain Quail, Black Iron Bowl, the Gold Hill Chutes and Revelation Bowl. These new areas offered extreme terrain with a backcountry feel, all while being within the resort boundaries. The addition of access to 13,320 foot Palmyra Peak elevated the ski area’s vertical drop to 4,425 feet, and offered some of the most stunning skiing and riding in North America.

After extensive terrain expansions, intentions were set to bring the resort’s on-mountain dining to new heights. Telluride Ski & Golf’s culinary initiatives shifted away from large scale cafeteria-style restaurants to intimate high-end eateries dotted across the mountain. These restaurants offer exceptional food in a high-alpine environment offering breathtaking views with refined tableside service reflective of what is found throughout European ski destinations.

Alpino Vino opened in 2009 at 11,966 feet on See Forever ski run making it the highest elevation restaurant in North America. This fine-dining European style eatery was modeled after the restaurants found throughout the Dolomites of Italy where you “ski-to-eat” as opposed to “eat-to-ski,” a saying that became a motto for the resort and offered only lunchtime service. Open only in the winter this ski-in/ski-out destination restaurant later began offering its signature wine pairing dinners. The prix fixe five course meal has garnered recognition from foodies and publications alike.

Telluride Ski and Golf continued its commitment to fine culinary offerings with the opening of Bon Vivant in 2011. Bon Vivant is an outdoor only establishment serving classic French country cuisine at the top of Polar Queen Express Chair 5. The restaurant’s setting is just below Palmyra Peak, and boasts 360 degree views of the resort and surrounding mountains.

With a robust food scene the resort expanded into the world of wine with the appointment Certified Sommelier Andrew Shaffner as resort Wine Director a position unique to the ski industry. This position was created to strengthen the wine programs across all 10 restaurants and educate staff and servers. Since Shaffner’s appointment the resort’s restaurants have garnered raves and awards from top publications including Wine Spectator Magazine and Wine Enthusiast.

To further round out the activities available to guests, the Telluride Adventure Center was created to serve as an adventure hub for anyone looking for fun things to do outside of skiing, as well as make it easy for visitors to book a variety of summer season adventures. Through the Adventure Center guests can easily book activities for themselves or kids offered by some of the region’s best outfitters that range from tame, quiet experiences to adrenaline pumping thrills.

The Telluride Ski and Golf Resort has come a long way from meager beginning as a fading mining town into the world class, year-round destination it has become. The pick, shovel, and hammer have been replaced by skis, snowboards and poles boasting high-end accommodations, fine dining, spas, shops and a variety of terrain that blend luxury sophistication with family friendliness. Telluride’s history is a large part of its character and charm, influencing both as it continues to develop into the future.

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A History of Spyder:

David Jacobs—The Founder of Sypder:

Born October 1, 1933 in Montreal, Canada, David Jacobs began his skiing at age thirteen. His first race was at age eighteen. At twenty-one, he won the Quebec Kandahar, proving that he was on the fast track to becoming a nationally competitive skier.

Obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from St. Lawrence University and spending one year studying mechanical engineering at MIT proved only to be distractions from his skiing.

In 1957, David captured the title of Canadian Downhill Ski Racing Champion. From 1957 through 1961, David was a member of the Canadian FIS Team.

Unfortunately, he was forced to withdraw before competing in the World Championships at Badgastein, Austria when he fractured his leg during a downhill training run.

As the first full-time head coach and program administrator for the Canadian National Ski Team from 1964 to 1966, David continued his contribution to the sport at the national level.

From 1966 to 1969, David was President of Lange-Jacobs Inc., the manufacturer of Lange plastic ski boots in Montreal. After that company merged with Lange USA in 1969, he moved to Boulder, sat on the board of directors and was the company’s Vice President from 1969 to 1972. During this time, he designed the first Lange competition ski boot, which became the hallmark of World Cup ski boots.

In 1972 David founded The Jacobs Corporation, producing Hot Gear, a line of up-market children’s ski clothing.

In 1978 he founded the Spyder brand. It began as a small mail order business from his kitchen and became the multinational ski apparel giant that it is today

The company’s name was coined after one of Jacob’s early creations; navy blue racing pants with yellow foam pads extending from the knee to the hip. “Everyone called them spider pants,” Jacobs recalled. “When I decided to produce my own race clothing I thought of using spider, but why not spell it with a ‘y’ like the Ferrari Spyder? Besides, I hate spiders. The most ominous and frightening thing to me is a black widow spider. So that had to be my logo. I figured if I hated them so much, people would look at the clothing and never forget it. I wanted something powerful and menacing, a lasting image”     (Ski Tech, Jan/Feb 1988)

For two years, Spyder operated out of David’s kitchen. At the end of two years, sales were in the six figures and Jacobs’ kitchen was too crowded.As the desire for high-end skiwear and high-tech items spread to recreational skiers, Spyder’s sales flourished. Today, only 10% of Spyder’s market is composed of racers and 90% are recreational skiers.
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A Look Back

1970: The Racing Decade

During the 70’s famous racers on the pro tour wore Spyder. Founded by former U.S. coach Bob Beattie, the pro tour’s big money purse attracted top competitors like Jean-Claude Killy, Jimmy Heuga, Hank Kashiwa, and Billy Kidd. “It put a stamp on our credibility,” David said.

1977: First Brochure

While David Jacobs’ young sons were in the ski race circuit, he noted there was only  one brand of race sweaters available. He knew he could make a better product and sell it to the close-knit race community. David L Jacobs, Incorporated, began as a small mail order business ‘for racing, by racers’.

1978: They Called Them Spyder Pants

One of David’s early creations was a blue racing pant with yellow striped protective pads. Skiers began calling them ‘spider’ pants, due to their spider leg-like appearance. David renamed the company in 1978. A passionate sports car fan, he borrowed the spelling with a ‘y’ from the Ferrari Spyder.

1980: An International Affair

During the early 80’s breakaway gates changed racing technique. The functional World Cup Pant became the most coveted gear by national teams. “Every team had to have it,” said David. Teams sporting the pant included the Yugoslavs, Australians, Norwegians, Swedes, Canadians, and Americans.

(FYI:Traditionally, bamboo poles were used for gates, the rigidity of which forced skiers to maneuver their entire body around each gate.^[3] The early 1980s, rigid poles were replaced by hard plastic poles, hinged at the base with a universal joint designed and patented by Peter Laehy and Stefan Dag in Aspen, CO. USA. Patent # 4,270,873.^[4] The hinged gates require, according to FIS rules, only that the skis and boots of the skier go around each gate. via Wikipedia)

1985:  Spyder-Man, Not Spider Man

After Sports Illustrated called Steven Lee “Spider Man” after his World Cup win, Marvel Comics sent David a legal warning of trademark infringement. Before Marvel dropped action, David believed his business was doomed; “I thought everything collapsed.” AJ Kitt ironically signed this six years later.

1988:  The Suits Take Over

David’s son Jake drew the first web on a solid suit in 1984 as a mock-up, launching web-graphic designs built to this day. Suits replaced padded slalom wear around 1988 when slalom racers began cross-blocking gates, not hitting the gates on their upper body, only on their lower legs.

1989: Spyder Signs On US Ski Team

Spyder became an official supplier to the US Ski Team in 1989, a relationship Spyder continues to support with great pride.

1994: Too Fast For Competition

David patented SpeedWyre, a revolutionary “trip wire” that reduced wind drag by up to 40%. US Ski Team members wearing SpeedWyre suits captured gold, bronze and fifth place in world championships over the next two years. FIS banned SpeedWyre in 1997, claiming that it gave skiers an unfair advantage.

(FYI: SpeedWyre  utilized a “trip wire” formed by a narrow seam on the surface of the legs and arms streamlined the surrounding air flow, significantly reducing wind drag by up to 40% in laboratory tests. via Wikipedia)

1998:  Freeski Apparel Arrives

Nothing less than a ski revolution, freeskiing took root. Spyder recognized the new ski genre and in 1998 introduced the Kreitler line, eponymous for pro skier Kent Kreitler, a member of the freeski vanguard. Shane McConkey and Kreitler moved from the pro mogul to and became sponsored Spyder pros.

2002: Spyder Signs Canada

As a youth David owned the title of Canadian Downhill Ski Champion, was the top-ranked Canadian FIS Team skier, and eventually became the first full-time head coach for the Canadian National Ski Team. In 2002, Spyder became a sponsor of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, bringing David full circle.

(Via www.spyder.com & Wikipedia)

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