By Shan Sethna
The History of Ski Resorts in the West
The history of skiing in the western
United States dates back more than 150 years, though
resort skiing is much more recent, dating back only to the late 1930s.
History
Utah Ski Archives, University of Utah
The first recorded use of skis in the United States was 1841 in Beloit, Wisconsin. With the California Gold Rush of 1849, Norwegian pioneers brought skis and snowshoes west for the first time. It is believed that the first ski races in America may have been held by California miners as early as 1860, though no documentation exists to prove this conclusively.
First Ski Lifts
The first ski lift in the United States, a simple rope tow, was built in 1913 in Truckee, California. In the 1920s and 1930s many similar rope tows were built around the West.
Chairlifts Take Charge
Sun Valley, Idaho built the first world's first overhead chairlift in 1936, followed by Loveland, Colorado and Berthoud Pass, Colorado in 1937.
Ski resorts opened at Alta, Utah in 1937; Mammoth Mountain, California in 1938; Monarch, Colorado and Sugar Bowl, California 1939; Winter Park, Colorado in 1940. Ski resort development slowed during World War II.
The post-War Boom
Utah Ski Archives, University of Utah
In 1949 the "Bradley Packer" grooming machine was invented, which would forever change the ski industry.
In 1960 Squaw Valley, California hosted the eighth Winter Olympic Games, garnering the attention of the entire world.
The following year, 1961, saw the founding of the Professional Ski Instructors of America in Whitefish, Montana. This would lead to a rapid growth in skiing in the decades to follow.
Economic Giant
Even though many smaller ski resorts were closed in the 1970s and 1980s, skier visits have continued to climb in the years since. Many resorts now offer a host of activities from downhill and cross country skiing, to ice skating and dog sledding. Small towns like Aspen and Vail are known for world-class dining and shopping.
Current State of the Industry
The industry continues to grow, with more than 45 million skier visits in 2007, according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). Those visits were spread across the Western U.S. at nearly 150 ski resorts.
Resources
About the Author:
Denver-based Shan Sethna holds a Masters degree in journalism and has written for daily newspapers, wire services, consumer magazines and websites. His diverse background includes experience in public relations; higher education; at the Olympic Games; on Wall Street; at an African environmental non-profit; and as a ski instructor and wilderness guide.
Photo Credits:
Utah Ski Archives, University of Utah
