Glenwood Springs Historical Society archive: Red Mountain runs
A group of local volunteers led by Wilbur “Skip” Bolitho (Bolitho Elementary School) cleared and groomed an initial small area of the slopes. Its first use for skiing was the winter of 1938. By 1940, plans for installation of a chairlift began and a tram and wire cable were purchased from a mine near Ouray. Members of the Civilian Conservation Corps and local volunteers began clearing a new trail to the top of Red Mountain.
The lift was 1,750 vertical feet at completion making it the longest lift in the Western United States and the third longest in the entire United States. It was also the second chairlift constructed in Colorado. After some trials and tribulations, the lift finally opened in January 1942. There were a series of openings and closings over the years. Lack of consistent snowfall ultimately closed Red Mountain Ski Area in 1958.
The nonprofit Glenwood Springs Historical Society, founded 1964, preserves and shares the town’s unique history at the Frontier History Museum and provides additional public programs. Information about the museum events, and membership are at GlenwoodHistory.org.
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