Why Aspen is a memoir by Friedl Pfeifer, Austrian ski legend and 10th Mountain Division soldier who pioneered skiing in Aspen, Sun Valley, and Alt. While training at the U.S. Army at Camp Hale, Colorado in 1944, 10th Mountain Division exercises included frequent mountain crossings and marches which brought Sergeant Friedl Pfeifer to Aspen where he quickly took note of the region's recreational ski resort potential. Recovered from being seriously injured in Italy In 1945, Pfeifer returned to Aspen in 1946 to form the legendary Aspen Ski School and with a further intention to realize his vision of a one-of-a-kind ski resort, he formed the Aspen Ski Corporation in 1946 in partnership with industrialist couple Walter & Elizabeth Paepcke. Wowed by Aspen's potential during a ski related visit in the late 1930's the Paepcke's fell in love with Aspen and, in partnership with Pfeifer, leveraged the world class resort development to further the cultural cache of the town in areas of architecture, the arts, music, and education. From that point "Aspen fever" took hold and most especially when Aspen was selected to host the 1950 FIS World Championships, the first of its kind on U.S. snow. In 1956 Friedl coached the U.S. Women's Ski Team and later the U.S. Women's Olympic Team in Cortina, Italy. Friedl left the Aspen Ski Corporation in 1958 to follow his passion for teaching skiing by developing Buttermilk Mountain.

About the author (2024)

Racer and ski instructor Friedl Pfeifer (1911-1995) served in the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army and founded the Aspen Skiing Corporation and the Aspen Ski School.

298 pages

Hardcover