The History of Vail Mountain
For this week’s blog post, we invited Jack Spicer to write a piece for the Museum about Vail’s history and the many pioneers that made it happen. Jack is an avid skier, former ski instructor, and digital marketer. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, and runs mtbskiingandfitness.com. A blog dedicated to action sports and living a lifestyle that supports recreating in the mountains.
Vail Mountain pioneered alpine skiing and resort culture in the United States.
Starting as a single mountain, Vail Resorts now owns 40 ski areas across three countries.
But how did it all begin?
To understand the history of the Vail Mountain, one needs to first look back to the Vail Valley in the early 1950s.
The History of the Vail Mountain
Vail was a pristine ranching valley. Apart from ranchers and loggers, the majority of the valley was undeveloped.
But 20 miles South, at Camp Hale, the Army’s 10th Mountain Division was training for World War II.
The 10th Mountain Division and the Vail Resort
Camp Hale was used for training US soldiers to fight in the mountains during WWII. The camp was built in the Pando Valley near Leadville in 1942. There, the 10th Mountain Division troops learned to ski, snowshoe, and climb. During their training, the division skied all over the nearby Rocky Mountains.
Among the ranks of the 10th Mountain Division were two avid skiers, Pete Seibert and Bob Parker.
As Pete traveled around the mountains and fell in love with the high country, he began to dream. He envisioned opening a ski resort one day and creating a way for tourists to experience the wonderful snow and skiing the Rocky Mountains offered.
Skiing After the War
During the war, Pete was injured, and he was told that he would never ski again. However, just two years after the war, Pete was in Aspen. Not only was he skiing, but he was teaching lessons and racing in the Aspen World Championships.
His time in Aspen proved valuable. One day he met Earl Eaton, an Aspen Ski Patroller, who had grown up in Eagle County.
Earl was a local boy born and raised in Eagle Country. His father was a logger and a bootlegger who would ski after work at night. Eventually, his father made Earl a pair of skis. Earl explored the nearby mountains looking for a place to ski. One day he came across Vail’s back bowls and realized that it was the perfect terrain for a ski area.
Earl tried to sell the idea to numerous people to no avail. But Pete was different. He loved skiing and had wealthy connections in Aspen and Denver that would make it possible to open a ski resort.
The Discovery of Vail Mountain
In March of 1957, Earl brought Pete to the top of what was to become Vail Mountain. It was a seven-hour trip to the top, and they had to break trail the whole way.
When they summited, the treeless backside terrain, carved into separate powder-filled “bowls”, only 100 miles from Denver, convinced Pete that it was the perfect place to fulfill his dream of creating a ski resort in the Rocky Mountains.
After his first ascent, Pete took his friends via snowcat to the top of the mountain that would become Vail. These friends, which included Bob Parker, became partners in Vail Associates Limited.
In 1958, Hanson Ranch, more than 500 acres of private land on what is now Vail Village, was acquired by charter members Earl Eaton, Pete Seibert, Bob Fowler and John Conway under the auspices of the “Transmontane Rod and Gun Club” – to distract potential competitors and imply the search for a simple hunting and fishing lodge and land – for just $110 per acre.
Vail before development c. 1957. From the Colorado Snowsports Museum’s photo archive.
The Early Days of Vail Mountain
A mix of Pete’s friends and acquaintances eventually moved to Vail. The mix included entrepreneurs, bankers, ski racers, retired Army and Navy, loyal company executives, and architects. This group of eclectic mountain lovers would become the Vail Corporation.
In December of 1959, the Vail Corporation was formed, with 26 shareholders who had been involved in the project. This included the six original members from the Transmontane Rod and Gun Club – Earl Eaton; Pete Seibert; George Caulkins, Jr.; John Conway, Jr.; Bob Fowler; and Jack Tweedy – as well as:
Fredric Benedict; Keith Brown; G.W. Douglas Carver; C.T. Chenery; Cortlandt Dietler; Charles Dimit; Gerald Hart; Richard Hauserman; Harley Higbie, Jr.; Jerome Lewis; William McBride Love; John McAllister; William McCluskey; John Murchison; Jack Oleson; William Ruby; Fitzhugh Scott; William Stevens; Vernon Taylor, Jr.; Ione Uihlien; William Whiteford, Jr.; and Philip Wooton, Jr.
What held them together was the belief that skiing was a way of life and a way to make a living, along with the dedication to help others enjoy the Colorado snow and sunshine.
In 1961, The U.S. Forest Service issued the final approvals and permits in January to begin building the ski area.
In 1962, Vail Mountain opened for skiing on Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. with one gondola, two chairlifts and, $5 lift tickets. Open trails include Swingsville, Ramshorn, Riva Ridge, Lodgepole, Gitalong, Pickeroon, Giant Steps, and Bear Tree.
From these humble beginnings, Vail continued to expand. As the mountain shifted hands, it continued to grow and change with the demands of the public. While Vail Resorts is now a worldwide brand, Vail Mountain still fulfills its purpose of sharing the Rocky Mountain snow and sunshine with all its visitors.
FAQs
Who Founded Vail Ski Resort?
Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton founded Vail ski resort along with the other members of the Vail Corporation in 1962.
Where is Vail Mountain Located?
Vail Mountain is located in the Rocky Mountains in Eagle County, Colorado.
When Did Vail Mountain Open to The Public?
Vail Mountain opened for skiing in 1962 on Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. with one gondola, two chairlifts and, $5 lift tickets.