Warren Miller: Legendary Skier, Filmmaker, Sport Builder, & Navy Veteran

When people think of the legendary filmmaker Warren A. Miller, they might think of his films, which touched so many people’s lives, his iconic voice, and the exciting start of each snow sports season, often celebrated with his annual film premiere, including many special guests and snow sports stars. But did you know that Warren Miller was a United States Navy veteran? This year for Veterans Day, we want to share more about Warren’s service during World War II and how that impacted his film career. Warren Miller joined the Navy at the age of 18 in 1942. He graduated from high school sixty days after Pearl Harbor was bombed, enrolled in the University of Southern California (USC), and joined the Naval Officer's Training Program. Warren went on to serve as a naval officer in the Pacific during World War II.

Snowsports MuseumNovember 1, 2024Warren Miller, Veterans Day, Sport Builder, Filmmaker, Navy Veteran, World War IIComment

Olympic Champion Skier Lindsey Vonn to Attend 2024 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Celebration

The Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame is pleased to welcome Lindsey Vonn back to Vail for this year’s Hall of Fame Celebration. The celebration will honor Vonn and the inspiring Class of 2024 inductees Ross Anderson, Bjorn Erik Borgen, John McBride, and Sigurd Rockne, recognizing their significant contributions to Colorado snow sports. “I spent most of my formative years in Colorado. It’s where I learned to ski Downhill, and is such a special place. I’m so excited to go back home and celebrate with friends and family.” says Olympic Champion and Entrepreneur Lindsey Vonn. Throughout her illustrious career, Vonn achieved 82 World Cup victories, became the first American woman to win Olympic downhill gold, and redefined boundaries with numerous records. Her commitment to empowering girls is evident through the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which provides camps, scholarships, and life-changing experiences for underserved young women.

Legendary Skier Chris Anthony to Emcee the 2024 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Celebration

Chris Anthony is the perfect fit to MC the 2024 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. For more than 28 years, Colorado native Chris Anthony traveled as a member of the Warren Miller film team. During his career, he has freelanced for several publications, co-authored a guidebook, commissioned and written a screenplay, and hosted and produced several television and film projects. He has also volunteered thousands of hours for several charitable organizations, raising over $1 million on their behalf, before building his youth outreach project. In recent years, Chris has dedicated his time to the documentary project: “Mission Mt. Mangart.” This film tells the story of the first American ski troop – the 10th Mountain Division. It showcases the soldiers' resilience and determination in the face of adversity and offers a unique and captivating perspective on a pivotal moment in world history.

Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Proudly Announces 2024 Annual Awards

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Celebration this September 7th. The institution proudly announces the Annual Award recipients for the year, representing snow sports advocates and some of our state’s greatest athletes. In addition, the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame welcome the incoming class of inductees announced last month: Ross Anderson, Bjorn Erik Borgen, John McBride, Sigurd Rockne, and Lindsey Vonn. The Hall of Fame’s annual honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Museum; the Top of the Hill Award, which recognizes entities that have contributed to the development of skiing in Colorado, the Collegiate Athlete of the Year Awards, the Adaptive Athlete of the Year Award, and the Mikaela Shiffrin Colorado Competitor of the Year Award.

Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2024

The Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the Class of 2024, an inspiring group representing a wide range of people across the snow sports industry. From speed skiing and alpine racing on international fronts to the snow sports devotees building the sport behind the scenes, this year’s inductees have dedicated their lives to snow sports, making a lasting impact in Colorado. The annual induction ceremony – an inspiring, family-friendly event – will occur on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the beautiful Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, Colorado. The event is a great way to celebrate the inductees and Colorado snow sports, and ticket prices start at just $50 for adults, with all proceeds going to support the Colorado Snowsports Museum, a non-profit organization, and the State of Colorado’s official snow sports museum. Tickets will be available soon.

Remembering Robert Stone "Bob" Balch (1909-1944)

Memorial Day is a federal holiday for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving their country. This weekend, we want to remember the life of Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame member, Robert Stone Balch. Inducted in 1978, Robert is the only inductee who died while courageously serving our country, in addition to making an impact on our state’s snow sports industry before his enlistment. Next time you’re at Winter Park Resort and sliding down the Balch Trail, you might have a deeper appreciation for the person this run was named after. Robert “Bob” Balch was born on May 9, 1909, in Jamaica Plain, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Bob was a Harvard architectural graduate. Through school, he participated in the 1931 Hochgebirge Cup ski race on Mt. Moosilauke, New Hampshire.

Raymond Johnson’s 100th Birthday - 10th Mountain Division Veteran

Ray Johnson was born in Rose Lake, Idaho in 1924. At age 5, Ray and his siblings moved to Coeur d'Alene. The family homestead bordered on Lake Coeur d'Alene's Cougar Bay and extended west up Cougar Ridge. He was 17 and a senior when World War II broke out. Ray was drafted in 1943 and went to Salt Lake City to be inducted as ordered. He entered military service on March 18, 1943. During basic and advanced training, a call went out for men who could ski, and since Ray was a skier, he signed up. Ray was a skier before entering service but minimized his skill, when asked by family, explaining that his skis growing up were handmade. He practiced up on a hill at the farm.

Celebrating the Women Behind the Colorado Snowsports Museum

For Women’s History Month, we tend to focus on the many women of Colorado’s snow sports past that have made an impact on our industry. We’ll still honor these inspiring women this year, but we thought it was also important to celebrate the women behind the Colorado Snowsports Museum who are actively sharing and preserving our rich snow sports heritage every day. Did you know that the Colorado Snowsports Museum staff and volunteers are largely made of women? This month, we are going to let you get to know us through six questions we asked our female workforce. Below we asked our staff, volunteers, and board the same six questions. Get to know us!

The Story of the Lost Boy - Meet and Greet

Have you ever skied the run Lost Boy at Vail Mountain and wondered how the run got this name? It all goes back to April 1, 1964, when Vail was a lot less developed than it is today. Lost Boy is named after Martin Koether. When he was 14, he skied into Game Creek Bowl by mistake before it was developed and spent the long and cold night in a snow cave under a tree while rescuers searched the mountain for him – all during a blizzard. He made his way safely out of the bowl the following day and was discovered by Ski Patrol. When interviewed by the Vail Daily in 2003 (Andy Stonehouse), Martin explained, “Reality suddenly hit me. I was there by myself and lost, and the sun was going to be going down and I was probably going to be there for the night.” Martin goes on: “So I remembered my Boy Scout training and burrowed into a tree well under a big fir, covering myself with tree boughs, and bedded down for the night.”

Snowsports MuseumMarch 18, 2024The Lost Boy, Vail, Colorado, Self-Rescue, Ski Patrol, HistoryComment

Nominations Open for 2024 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame

The Colorado Snowsports Museum today announces that nominations are open for the 2024 Hall of Fame. Every year, the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame inducts a new class of individuals who deserve to be celebrated among peers and honored in the State of Colorado’s official snow sports museum for their significant impact on the sport and industry of skiing and snowboarding in the State of Colorado. The Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame relies on the public to help diversify and acknowledge the state's snow sports legends, and everyone is encouraged to submit nominations for the 2024 class. The Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame was created in 1977 to honor Coloradoans. Nominees must have contributed significantly to the sport and industry of skiing and snowboarding in the State of Colorado.

Snowsports MuseumFebruary 5, 20242024, Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame, Nominations, Celebration, History, Snow sportsComment

Larry Zimmer (1935-2024)

With great sadness, we announce the passing of 2013 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Famer, Larry Zimmer. Larry died on January 20, 2024, at the age of 88. You might know Larry Zimmer as the voice of the Colorado Buffs and the Denver Broncos, but Larry was also influential in the snow sports industry and was a pioneer in covering skiing both on television and radio. He was most beloved by coaches, players, and fans he impacted by being the unique voice so many Coloradans grew up listening to. Larry was born on November 13, 1935, in New Orleans. He attended Louisiana State University before transferring to the University of Missouri, graduating in journalism in 1957, and serving two years of active duty in the United States Army. During his service, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He broke into the business by broadcasting high school football and basketball games in Columbia, Missouri, and Lawton, Oklahoma in the mid-1960s and then moved to Denver to begin working at KOA in 1971. Larry worked at KOA for over 25 years.

Snowsports MuseumJanuary 22, 2024Larry Zimmer, Sports Broadcasting, Ski history, Colorado Buffs, Broncos, Ski CompetitionComment

“Through the Lens” Speaker Series Kicks off in 2024!

Our popular "Through the Lens" speaker series is kicking off this January and will run all snow sports season-long. This year, we welcome films, authors, athletes, and more. Join us as we explore the snow sports industry through a different lens. First up, we welcome the all-women ski film “Advice for Girls.” The film puts a spotlight on the collective experience of women in the ski industry. The film showcases advice from three generations of women in skiing. Each generation reminds women and girls of all ages that they are worthy of success, allowed to take up space, and are extremely valuable to the ski industry. With an intersectional cast featuring all types of women – women of color, queer women, women with disabilities, and more – the crew hopes that everyone can find someone in the film to connect to.

Colorado Snowsports Museum Premieres New 10th Mountain Division Exhibit: Letters Home

Years in the making, the Colorado Snowsports Museum is excited to premiere a new interactive, digital touchscreen display in our 10th Mountain Division exhibition: Letters Home. This revamped exhibit now includes access to our 10th Mountain Division archive, including digitized letters from soldiers, scrapbooks, photos, army communications, rosters, and more at the touch of a visitor's fingertips. In conjunction with Vail’s Legacy Day, this exhibit will premiere to the public on Friday, January 12 from 5 pm to 8 pm. This exhibit was made possible by our generous donors Kent Erickson and Barb Krichbaum and the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation.

William A. “Bill” Bergman (1924-2023)

A day rarely goes by when we don’t hear Bill Bergman’s name mentioned at the Colorado Snowsports Museum. With great sorrow, we announce the passing of William A. “Bill” Bergman, a 2012 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame inductee. The Colorado ski industry pioneer has died at 99. Bill’s impact was far-reaching as he transformed the ski industry and was co-founder of Keystone. He created environmentally friendly trail designs, installed snowmaking capabilities, and transformed skiing into a corporate enterprise. Bill’s legacy is forever enshrined on Keystone Mountain, with Bergy’s Glade, the Bergman Bowl, and the Bergman Express named in his honor. Next time you ride the lift or slide down the snow on this terrain, take a moment to think of Bill and his lasting impact on one of Colorado’s greatest resorts. Our deepest condolences go out to Bill’s family, friends, the Keystone community, and all who knew him.

Hart Axley (1931-November 2, 2023)

With great sadness, we announce the passing of 1993 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Famer and long-time Board Member, Hart Axley. Starting in Madison, Wisconsin at age three on single toe-strap skis, Hart has been involved for more than a half-century with almost all facets of skiing. A Class A Racer for the University of Wisconsin Hoofers Ski Club in all four events, he was honored by the CUSSA for leadership as Intercollegiate Ski Chairman. For his leadership of the Badger Ski Patrol, the National Ski Patrol System (NSPS) appointed him National Ski Patrolman #1413. Moving to Colorado in 1956, Hart patrolled Arapahoe Basin for twenty-nine years, and was a member of three Outstanding Ski Patrols: Denver Metropolitan Ski Patrol (1959), Olympic Ski Patrol (1960), and Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol (1977). In 1958, Hart and Kenneth Wright were awarded the NSPS Purple Star and ARC Award of Merit for saving a human life.

Veterans Day: Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Spotlight

Veterans Day is a time to honor all military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Enshrined in our respected Hall of Fame, we have over 45 veterans, who served during both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War. After their courageous service, these individuals came back to Colorado and made a lasting impact on the snow sports industry. The following will shine a spotlight on three veterans from our Hall of Fame who helped build the snow sports industry and inspire so many of us through their courage, perseverance, and hard work. All three of these individuals were instrumental in educating and teaching the next generation. Thank you to these veterans, and all veterans. In 1930, Adolph was born in Leadville, Colorado. An outstanding skiing athlete, his accomplishments include divisional, national, and international levels of competition.

Snowsports MuseumNovember 6, 2023Veterans Day, Veterans, Adolph Kuss, Ben Duke, Curt Chase, Instruction, Learning, Legacy Comment

New Colorado Ski History Book Told Through the Colorado Snowsports Museum’s Photo Archive

Skiing in Colorado evolved from a transportation necessity to a world-class recreational pursuit. The first documented use of skis in Colorado occurred in the winter of 1859. As the popularity of the activity grew, ski resorts opened throughout the state. After World War II, Colorado saw a boom in the industry along with advancements in equipment, lifts, and safety; the development of ski schools; and the opening of new ski areas. This volume includes photographs from the Colorado Snowsports Museum that illustrate and celebrate the history of skiing in Colorado. Spearheading this book project, Dana Mathios, curator and director of collections with the Museum, was able to take the preservation work done since 1975 and meld it with photos donated to the institution to curate a glimpse of what skiing in Colorado was and continues to be.

Mikaela Shiffrin's World Cup Crystal Globe Gets a Makeover

For this blog post, the CSM is pleased to present a featured story by Jonathan Ingraham with the Denver Gazette. Here, Jonathan covered the story behind the Museum obtaining Mikaela Shiffrin’s World Cup Slalom globe and was on site for the unveiling. Once broken, now fixed...sort of, this crystal is on display in Vail. This story was featured by the Denver Gazette on October 26, 2023. Mikaela Shiffrin skis really fast and claims copious podiums, but when it comes to keeping her trophies intact, she is a bull in a china shop. While in Europe in March, Shiffrin broke one of her three 2022-23 World Cup crystal globes. According to Eileen Shiffrin, Mikaela's mother, Shiffrin's globe in Giant Slalom "rolled off the passenger seat while buckled in for a shoot with Land Rover in the lobby of the Hermitage Hotel in Soldeu, Andorra after the World Cup Finals."

*New* Jimmie Heuga Painting on Display

The Colorado Snowsports Museum is pleased to present a new work of art on display. This original artwork celebrates the achievements of Olympic bronze medalist Jimmie Heuga, with the source photograph captured in Grenoble, France in 1968. Jimmie was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 1987. Lovingly preserved in a box and recently recovered from the attic of the Heuga family’s cabin in Tahoe, this signed photograph (shown to the right), once served as a key component in Jimmie’s promotional events. The Heuga family chose this particular image from a selection presented to the artist because it encapsulates Jimmie as a youthful skiing sensation, reveling in the multifaceted experience of both an Olympic medalist and a champion athlete. Jimmie, a native of California, competed internationally on the US Ski Team for ten years and was a member of two championship teams in 1962 and 1966. Jimmie is the only American male to win the Arlberg Kandahar in Garmish, Germany; he was an Olympic bronze medalist in the 1964 slalom in Innsbruck, Austria; and was third in the 1967 World Cup giant slalom. In 1967 Jimmie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and retired from competition shortly after the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, France. In 1983 Jimmie moved to Vail and founded the Jimmie Heuga Center for physical conditioning and consulting services to people with disabilities and personal challenges.

Jerry Lee "Moe" Mosley (August 3, 1933-August 4, 2023)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of 2018 Hall of Famer Moe Mosley, 90 of Golden, Colorado. Moe passed away on August 4, 2023, after being surrounded by family. Moe co-founded the Over the Hill Gang Ski Club in 1976, along with two friends, developing it into one of this nation’s most successful senior skiing organizations. Based in Copper Mountain, the Over the Hill Gang is a year-round activity program created for skiers over the age of 50. The club offers members the opportunity to share in lasting friendships and camaraderie while participating in skiing, summer sports activities, and social events. Moe showed us that age is no barrier to greatness. For generations to come, many will be able to enjoy snow sports and more thanks to Moe’s contributions. Jerry Lee "Moe" Mosley, was born in Canton, Ohio on August 3, 1933, to Donna and Raymond Jerry Mosley. Growing up on the tough streets of a steel mill town, Moe learned to fight. As a youngster, he turned to boxing like his own Dad, winning the Ohio State Golden Gloves title in 1951 and 1952. In his early years, his temper sometimes got him into trouble. So, he was "encouraged" to join the military; he served from 1953-55 in the Army.

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