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.

Adolph Kuss

In 1930, Adolph was born in Leadville, Colorado. An outstanding skiing athlete, his accomplishments include divisional, national, and international levels of competition. He represented the Rocky Mountain Division in the first Junior National Alpine Championship in 1948 and was a four-event skier at Western Colorado University. Some of the numerous awards he has received include the highest award in the USA Rocky Mountain Division, the Halstead Trophy, the Russel Welder Trophy for outstanding contribution to junior skiing in the USA, and several Awards of Merit from the United States Ski and Snowboard Association.

While serving in the Army during the Korean conflict, Adolph competed in Japan and was an Alpine and Nordic champion of the Far East. A member of the Olympic Training Squad, he participated in three tryouts during the 50s. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was the head coach of skiing at Fort Lewis College, a program that developed many national and NCAA champions. He was coach of the US Ski Team from 1963 to 1972, the Olympic Cross-country Team in 1964, and the Nordic Combined Team in 1972, and he was the head coach of the World University Games Team in 1972. Adolph continued to excel during the 1980s, with an outstanding record of accomplishment in the Masters Class 6 Cross-country Racing and National and World Masters events.

Adolph is truly a Colorado ski sport builder, having made major contributions to the organization, promotion, and development of programs, facilities, and ski areas for Alpine & Nordic skiing in Colorado. He served in organized skiing as a committee member in the USSA and as a certified official in both Alpine and Nordic events.

Adolph's competitive spirit was passed on to his students as well as his son, Sepp Kuss, who recently won the Vuelta a España, one of professional cycling's three European Grand Tours.

H. Benjamin Duke Jr.

Ben, a Chicago import, and educated at Williams College, served with distinction in the 10th Mountain Division, and moved to Colorado following his military service.

10th Mountain Division, Ben Duke at right.

Ben was elected to the Board of Directors of Vail Associates in 1966 and served for nearly 20 years. Most notably he served as Chairman from 1983 to 1985. He was one of the first to prompt Vail to go for the 1989 World Alpine Ski Championship, and he assumed the chair of the finance committee for that event. At the time of his death, Ben was chair of the finance committee for the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championships as well. He also served on the board of the Vail Valley Foundation. Ben's greatest contribution to Vail was in making sure that Vail became family-oriented, providing something for everyone. He emphasized the importance of providing services such as the ski school, children's programs, and snow grooming.

As a competitor, he raced in the Rocky Mountain Division of USSA as well as in national events. In 1993 he took a third combined title in the national Masters races in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and in 1994 at Big Sky, Montana, he advanced to second overall at age 72.

One of Ben's greatest attributes was his support of family. He always attended and supported every ski event that his children and grandchildren competed in. To quote nominator Earl Clark, "Few have given of themselves so completely to the world of skiing and the ski industry as Ben! Despite being deeply involved in the business world as a top-level executive, he always found the time and energy to lend his skills wherever they were needed!"

To honor his relationship with the 10th Mountain Division, Ben conceptualized and funded, with his wife Maud, the 10th Mountain Room at the Denver Public Library. Ben was one of the founders of the 10th Mountain Division Resource Center and tirelessly traveled the country promoting the importance of such an endeavor. He also served as a member of the Friends Foundation at the Library, and on the board of the Colorado Nature Conservancy.

Curt Chase

Curt has been an innovator and motivating force in the field of ski instruction for over 40 years. He started skiing at age ten and became further involved in the sport as a member of the University of New Hampshire Ski Team.

In 1943, Curt became a Survival Training Instructor for the US Army 10th Mountain Division ski troops. He made his home in Aspen after World War II and became a member of the Aspen Ski School. In 1946, he organized, trained, and directed the Aspen Ski Patrol. As a certified coach and course setter, he set many downhill courses in Aspen, including the Roch Cup and World Cup races. He also authored the original Aspen Ski Instructors Manual.

In 1951, Curt became a Survival Training Instructor for the Strategic Air Command, specializing in skiing and mountaineering. After the Korean conflict, he returned to Aspen and became a full-time ski instructor. Except for a brief time spent in Red Lodge, Montana, Curt has spent most of his adult skiing career in the Roaring Fork Valley and was Director of the Aspen Ski School for 17 years and Snowmass Ski School for 5 years.

Perhaps his most significant impact on skiing was his work on developing the "basic turn" approach to ski instruction, now known as the American Ski Technique. As one of the eight founding Directors of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, Curt was instrumental in developing and codifying the standards of the teaching method which is now used nationwide. As the coach of the American Demonstration Team for the 8th InterSki Conference (the international organization for ski instruction), he was able to introduce the American Technique to his peers from all over the world.

As a student of the art of ski instruction, Curt emphasized the practical and comfortable methods of skiing, as opposed to the sometimes forced and dictatorial style of earlier days. There is no doubt that Curt has affected skiers worldwide, and certainly on the skiers of Colorado.

About the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame:

Founded in 1975 and located in Vail, Colorado, our mission is to celebrate Colorado snow sports by telling stories that educate and inspire others to seek adventure. The priceless artifacts we collect and display tell the story of the birth, rise and explosion of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado. The Museum features displays including Climb to Glory about the 10th Mountain Division, Vail’s DNA, The Colorado Snowboard Archive, and The Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame, among many others. Learn more and consider supporting the Museum by becoming a member: www.snowsportsmuseum.org.

Media Contact:

Jen Mason | Dana Mathios

jen@snowsportsmuseum.org | dana@snowsportsmuseum.org

Veterans Day: Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Spotlight