The Colorado Snowsports Museum (CSM), located in Vail, Colorado, has an extensive collection of artifacts that symbolize Colorado’s skiing and snowboarding heritage. The collection currently consists of over 15,000 objects, photos, video, and library and archival materials. The priceless artifacts tell the story of the birth, rise and explosion of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado. The collection defines who we are, and why we are. Celebrating these stories is vital to preserving the legacy of our sport.

For our first blog post, we asked our Curator and Director of Collections, Dana Mathios, what she thinks are the top five artifacts, currently on display at the Colorado Snowsports Museum, that sum up Colorado’s rich snow sports history. Although she explained that picking only five artifacts was a challenge, she was able to narrow it down. Read on to learn more about her top five picks and why.

10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION SKIS

The first artifact that came to mind for Dana was a pair of 10th Mountain Division skis on display in our “Climb to Glory” exhibit. These skis are a laminated hickory with a segmented steel edge for all-round winter use. They were painted white on the top surface as camouflage in snowy terrain. Dana goes on to explain: “For me, these skis represent the connection between the 10th Mountain Division and their lasting legacy that helped build the snow sports industry we all know and love in Colorado today. If it weren’t for many of these 10th veterans, we wouldn’t have our beloved ski areas and all that comes with them: like area management, ski patrol, avalanche mitigation, lift and grooming operations, instruction, and so much more.”

With a new lease on life, many of the soldiers of the 10th came back to the snowy peaks of Colorado. Like the rest of America, the ski industry exploded with the post war boom, thanks to the soldiers on skis. The 10th Mountain Division was on the cutting edge of new techniques in winter survival, skiing, and equipment - including all-terrain ski bindings, metal edges on skis, and the Snow Cat. After the war, the Army sold tens of thousands of pairs of surplus skis, bindings, boots and poles to the public at rock bottom prices – also making the sport of skiing more accessible.

Dana continues: “Our 10th exhibit serves as an introduction to the Museum, but also brings the stories told throughout our displays full circle – as many stories told connect back to the 10th.” For example, in 1932, Thor C. Groswold established the Groswold Ski Company in Denver, Colorado. This early Colorado ski company became recognized as the manufacturer of America's finest wood skis, with an example on display in our second exhibit “Skiing Through Time”. Groswold skis were used on our countries' ski slopes by pros and amateurs alike. In addition, many soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division training at Camp Hale were equipped with Groswold skis for combat operations – like the pair currently on display at the CSM.

ANDERS HAUGEN’S 1924 PARADE COAT

After six years of working with the Museum’s collection, Dana still finds Anders Haugen’s 1924 Olympic coat to be a treasure. Born in Telemark, Norway, Anders Haugen immigrated to the United States in 1909. Carrying on the tradition of his homeland, one of the first things he did was build a ski jump with the Milwaukee Ski Club in an effort to introduce the public to the sport. Haugen would later relocate to northwestern Wisconsin before heading west to Frisco, Colorado.

An accomplished ski jumper, Haugen set a world record of 152 feet in 1911 in Ironwood, Michigan, en route to winning the National Championship. In 1920, he set a new world record of 214 feet on the ski jump in Dillon, Colorado.

As the inaugural Olympic Winter Games of 1924 approached, Haugen was elected as the captain of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team. The parade coat in the Museum’s artifact collection was worn by Haugen during the Games for all official ceremonies that the team participated in. The coat is made of felted twill-weave wool. There is fringe along the top of the shoulders and sleeves, and along the top front opening of the coat, made of the same wool fabric.

As the ski jumping competition began in 1924, Jacob Tullin Thams took the lead, with Narve Bonna in second, Anders Haugen in third, and Thorleif Haug in fourth. The second round saw Haugen produce what would be the longest jump of the competition, but he was penalized with low style points for his landing. Haugen finished fourth.

Almost 50 years later, Thorlauf Stromstad, a silver medalist at 1924 Games, contacted Norwegian ski historian Jacob Vaage, with a claim that the points from the ski jumping event for Thorleif Haug had been miscalculated and that Haugen should have finished in third place. Vaage checked the case and had to agree with the 77-year-old Stromstad.

In 1974, the IOC awarded the bronze medal to Haugen, then an elderly gentleman of 83. He was invited to Norway and, at a special ceremony, Haug’s bronze medal from 1924 was handed over to Haugen by Anna Maria Magnussen, Haug’s youngest daughter.

Dana closes by saying: “Not only is the story behind this jacket inspirational, but it also represents the influence many immigrants had on Colorado’s snow sports history.” Haugen was among a huge wave of European immigrants to America in the early to mid-1900s. Many of these individuals brought traditions from their home towns, like ski jumping, and improved ski competition, instruction, and fashion. Just to name a few, Hall of Fame members like Louis Daples, Sven Wiik, Harold Sorensen, Pepi Gramshammer, Fred and Elli Iselin, Tage Pedersen, Dick Durrance, Horst Abraham, Olav Pedersen, and Klaus Obermeyer were all immigrant pioneers that helped grow Colorado’s ski industry.

SWIFT SNOWBOARD

For generations, people have dreamed of surfing snow in search of freedom, individuality, and creativity. A small group of visionaries achieved that dream, and in the process, created a sport and a culture we now know as snowboarding. Snowboarders from across the country have always converged in Colorado, making the state a crossroads of snowboard design, manufacturing, and competition. Another artifact that symbolizes snow sports history in Colorado, to Dana, would be an early Swift snowboard on display in our “Out There” exhibit. This c. 1983 board is generously on loan to the Museum from the Canaday Collection.

Brothers, Tim and Tracy Canaday designed and built snowboards in Denver, Colorado for the deep, dry powder found at Berthoud Pass. The two brothers were originally from Fort Collins, Colorado. Tim, fourteen at the time, built snowboard shapes in his high school wood shop class. Back when the Swift company was established, the Canadays were working out of their garage. After the company was unsuccessful, the Canadays took a break from the business and moved to California.

A few years later in 1991, snowboarding became more popular. With that, Tim and Tracey moved back to Colorado and renamed their company Never Summer, after the Never Summer Mountains in Colorado. Each board is carefully handcrafted in their Denver factory to precision tolerances. Their domestic manufacturing, and ability to improve upon existing technologies, resulted in Never Summer being awarded the first patent on any type of hybrid camber technology. Over the years, Never Summer became the largest manufacturer of snowboards in Colorado

Dana has been snowboarding for about five years and currently rides a 2019 Never Summer Infinity board. Knowing the history behind this snowboard brand has inspired her to get out there and give it her all. For Dana, snowboarding is a way to escape and push her limits. She cherishes her alone time riding, but also thinks riding with friends and family is the best way to really get to know someone.

MARY DAVIS’ SCRAPBOOK

For the fourth artifact, Dana picks a more recent donation of a World War II era scrapbook made by a Women’s Army Corps (WAC) soldier, Mary Davis. When thinking about Camp Hale, one often thinks about the thousands of men training to be the elite mountain troops known as the 10th Mountain Division. Not very often does one speak of the Women’s Army Corps Detachment that was also stationed there. Dana explains: “Although the men’s purpose for being at Camp Hale was as significant as their heroism and sacrifices abroad, women also performed meaningful wartime contributions at camp.”

Did you know that there were 200 women stationed at Camp Hale? The Women's Army Corps was the women's branch of the United States Army that was created as an auxiliary unit on May 15, 1942 by Public Law 554 and converted to an active duty status in the Army on July 1, 1943. The Women’s Army Corps was created to perform a wide variety of non-combat functions including finance, communications, the motor pool, and supply.

The role of women at Camp Hale, and during World War II in general, has been largely lost from the historical record. Monys Hagen, history professor at Metro State College of Denver, dedicated countless hours to preserving this history for generations to come. Although many reasons have been cited for why this history was omitted, the important action now is to correct it.

The history of women at Camp Hale has largely been lost from the historical record and deserves proper recognition. Behind the scenes, the CSM is actively trying to preserve the story of women at Camp Hale. During 2019, at our off-site storage facility in Wheat Ridge, Dana digitized photographs featuring a glimpse into this history and is still seeking donations of items that pertain to women at Camp Hale. In addition, Chris Anthony, current Board member and Hall of Fame inductee, recently released his Cannes World Film Festival award winning documentary Missoin Mt. Mangart. This film honors these women and helps tell their story. Learn more: here.

ANN BONFOEY TAYLOR’S GREEN FURRY OUTFIT

Last but not least, Ann Bonfoey Taylor’s green furry outfit is another one of Dana’s beloved artifacts. Through Ann’s remarkable collection, Museum guests are able to learn more about her life and her many accomplishments. Ann was born in 1910 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania to a wealthy family that owned Putnam Dyes, a pharmaceutical and dye manufacturing company. From an early age, Ann was extraordinary. When she was six years old her father introduced her to flying in an open cockpit bi-plane and, when she was 12, he hired an instructor to teach her to fly.

At 18, Ann moved to Vermont, took up skiing and acquired the nickname “Nose Dive Annie”. After graduating from a prestigious boarding school in upstate New York, where she embraced athletics and excelled in everything from tennis to dressage, Ann Bonfoey married Princeton undergraduate James Cooke. Ever the sportswoman, Ann enjoyed fox and coyote hunting, horse jumping and shooting.

In 1940, Ann was named as an alternate to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, but due to the onset of World War II, the Games were ultimately cancelled. Ann and James divorced shortly thereafter. In order to support herself and her children, Ann turned to her skill of flying.

In 1941 she enrolled as an aviation major at the University of Vermont and quickly earned her wings as a commercial flight instructor - one of just twenty-five women so qualified in the country at the time. During World War II, she became a flight instructor for Army and Navy pilots.

Following the war, Ann launched her own clothing label—Ann Cooke—a line of distinctive homemade skiwear and innovations that included the first fanny pack. She sold distribution rights to Lord & Taylor, which featured her clothing in window displays on Fifth Avenue in New York City and in twenty other stores.

In 1947, she married Vernon “Moose” Taylor, the love of her life. To be closer to the mountains, the new couple relocated to Denver in 1951. No longer designing clothes herself, Ann became a collector, amassing 4,500 pieces from many of the world’s greatest fashion houses. She also had a more elaborate set of costumes for skiing, which she accessorized with military influence and any other cultural or regional accoutrement that caught her fancy.

As one of the founders of Vail in 1963, Vernon and Ann built one of the first ski chalets in the new town. Ann used her iconic style and her connections in New York and abroad to help put Vail on the map. The Taylors quickly became known for their entertaining and hospitality. Ann was renowned for her attention to detail and proper etiquette.

Ann never intended for her clothes to be put on display in museums, but her collection was important to her. Each piece was tailored for the activities she enjoyed daily – including skiing. This outfit is so beloved by Dana because it, in her opinion, perfectly represents Ann’s character. This unique jacket, boots, and hat were made of individual hair extensions creating the appearance of a single fur – representing her creative style and attention to detail. Furthermore, there’s no way Ann could have gone a day in this outfit not being noticed. Just as this outfit is extraordinary, so was Ann’s life and her many accomplishments.

The mission at the Colorado Snowsports Museum is to celebrate Colorado snow sports by telling stories that educate and inspire others to seek adventure. Through our artifact driven displays, we’re able to tell these important stories and help preserve them for generations to come. Thanks to our Gift Shop sales, Museum Members, and other supporters: the Museum is free, with a suggested donation at the door. Plan your visit by going to our website: snowsportsmuseum.org. We’re open daily from 11am to 5pm and run Vail History Walking Tours Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11am.

Five Artifacts that Represent Colorado’s Snow Sports History