Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa history

In 1943, he joined the United States Army and volunteered for the 10th Mountain Division, where he trained for high-altitude winter combat.

When the soldiers returned home in November 1945, many were responsible for the postwar growth of skiing.

However, a few years later, Seibert was working as a ski instructor at Aspen, the famous Colorado resort, and in 1950 he made the United States Ski Team, though torn ligaments kept him from competing.

Although unable to purchase the mountain itself, which was owned by the United States Forest Service, they were able to purchase a 500-acre ranch at the base for $55,000 in 1957.

On 9 Jan 1960, Peter Seibert gathered a group of nine men together for the first meeting of the board of directors for what would eventually become Vail Resorts Inc, America's largest ski company.

Vail Associates got the go-ahead from the United States Forest Service in December 1961, and the company wasted no time in developing the foundations of the resort.

On December 15, 1962, the Vail ski resort opened its doors.

Three weeks later, on January 10, 1963, the resort managed to draw just 12 skiers, bringing in a total of $60 from lift tickets.

By 1964, the company had developed enough new terrain to triple skier capacity, and trails and lifts continued to spread east and west across the mountain.

Three years later, in 1965, Manor Vail Corporation built Manor Vail.

As Vail started to grow so did the Kindel’s role within the town, Ted became the first mayor in 1966 and they also became the welcome crew for new residents including Renie and David Gorsuch when they opened their ski shop in the clock tower (where it still is today 50 years later!). Mr.

In 1968, the first studio buildings were built and known as the Manor Vail North Condominiums, a separate association at the time.

To help pay for the development, costing some $13 million by 1969, the company sold part of its land in the valley as commercial and residential lots.

1970’s As Vail began to emerge as a world class ski resort, The Christiania continued on its journey as well.

In 1971, the company also spent $4.4 million to purchase 2,200 acres of land ten miles down the road, which would later become the site of its Beaver Creek resort.

By 1973, Vail Mountain had some 800 acres of skiable terrain, two gondolas, nine chairlifts, and four restaurants (two on the top of the mountain and two at the bottom). Total revenues were about $7 million.

His first Vail ski vacation while president took place in December 1974, but for security reasons he rented out the home of Harry W. Bass, a Texas multimillionaire and Vail board member.

On March 26, 1976, a frayed cable on the Lionshead gondola got caught in one of the lift towers, causing the passing cars to bounce and shake.

1980’s A trip to Europe introduced Paul and Sally to the Menzel family, hand makers of Bavarian furniture.

By 1982, Vail Associates had assets of nearly $100 million and revenues of $43.7 million—$31 million from its ski resorts and another $12 million from real estate operations.

Problems for the company were further complicated in 1984 by a confrontation between Bass and his children, whose trust, established by Bass, owned enough Vail stock to oust him from the chairmanship.

1985–90: New Owner Invests in Improvements and Expansion

The holding company filed for bankruptcy on June 25, 1991, and its eventual reorganization transferred the ownership of Vail Associates to Apollo Advisors, L.P. of New York, a company headed by Leon Black, a former Drexel Burnham banker.

In 1996, Vail Associates signed a deal with Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., purchasing nearby Breckenridge and Keystone resorts and establishing Vail Resorts, Inc.

In February 1997, Vail Resorts became the first North American ski resort to go public.

During October of 1998, fire alarms sounded from both Two Elk Lodge and patrol headquarters.

In 1999, Vail and Beaver Creek hosted the World Alpine Ski Racing Championships again, showing dedication to the sport of ski racing once more.

In 2000, the company acquired a 51 percent stake in, and assumed management of, the Renaissance Resort and Spa in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, near Grand Teton National Park.

In 2004, the original Lionshead skier bridge was replaced and work began on the redevelopment of the Arrabelle and Lionshead, a multi-year project including new condos, an ice rink, and many new stores and restaurants.