Ute Native Americans spent their summers hunting and fishing in the Gore Creek Valley (Vail) and nearby Eagle River Valley (Beaver Creek). In the mid-1870’s, the first white settlers arrived. Mining for gold, silver and lead carbonate followed a boom-bust economic cycle. It was the ranchers and farmers tending cattle and sheep and growing cold weather crops that survived into the early 1950’s.
In 1940, Colorado state highway engineer Charlie Vail oversaw the construction of Hwy 6 over the Continental Divide. In his honor, the highway was named Vail Pass. During World War ll, the elite 10th Mountain Divivion was trained in the Colorado Rockies at Camp Hale. Many of these ski troopers returned to the area following the end of the war including Pete Seibert.
Seibert and local rancher Earl Eaton, who help build Camp Hale, joined together with a common vision of creating a recreational area for skiing. Eaton took Seibert to the top of No-Name Mountain and they found their dream. Today, No-Name Mountain is known as Vail Mountain. The U.S. Forest Service granted Seibert and Eaton their permit in January 1962 and the resort opened for skiing in December 1962. Lift tickets cost $5 for the day.
President Ford purchased a home in the area and attracted world attention to Vail. By 1969, Vail was the most popular ski resort in Colorado. With 5,289 skiable acres, it is the largest ski area in North America.
Vail’s “Back Bowls” are famous as is Vail Village with its abundant restaurants, shops and nightlife. With endless skiing, family activities and evening amenities, there is little time for sleep. We call that the perfect vacation!