A famous history professor and a legend in Colorado will be presenting, “The History of Skiing in Colorado.” It’s at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 11, in Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill. Meet Dr. Duane Vandenbusche who has written 11 books and taught the history of the U.S. West. The presentation is hosted by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. It’s free.

 

From Candice Bannister, Executive Director of the Tread of Pioneers Museum —

Back by popular demand, join the Tread of Pioneers Museum and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club for an unforgettable evening with Dr. Duane Vandenbusche who will present, “The History of Skiing in Colorado,” at Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill (845 Howelsen Parkway) on March 11 at 5:30pm. To sweeten the evening’s free event, the museum will serve complimentary hot “happy hour” drinks.

Since 1962, Vandenbusche has taught and coached in Gunnison and has presented countless public talks. He has authored 11 books and taught the history the U.S. West, especially water, public lands, skiing, and the environment. His book, “A Land Alone: Colorado’s Western Slope,” has been the standard text of the region since its publication in 1981. He was a State Historian’s Council member and served as the State Historian for the 2020–21 term.

“Dr. Vandenbusche is a legend in Colorado, and I am thrilled we could work with Candice at the museum to bring Duane and his fountain of knowledge to the community of Steamboat Springs,” said Matt Tredway, a long-time friend and admirer of Vandenbusche. “Here, we all know and love skiing, but understanding the context of our local ski history in the larger sense through Duane, you’ll love and appreciate it even more.”

Vandenbusche grew up on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He graduated with B.A. from Northern Michigan University and Masters and Doctorate from Oklahoma State. He came to Western State College in 1962 and taught for 60 years. In addition to teaching history, he was an accomplished cross country and track and field coach until retiring in 2021.

When he came to the West, he says, “I immediately fell in love with the history – mining, ranching, skiing and mountains. My study of skiing in Colorado came from the fact that the Gunnison country had 11 ski areas with lifts. It also came from my great friendship with Sven Wiik who was the Western State College ski coach before moving to Steamboat Springs. I always wanted to be like Sven as a coach and professor. I always told him that but concluded with, ‘I’m only half way there, but I’m working on it.’”

During Vandebusche’s talk, he hopes that the public will gain a deeper understanding of the ways that skiing became a major industry in this state “because of the hard work and vision of the old timers who walked uphill to get their turns and had skis 9-14’ long and no heel attachment. I also hope that they appreciate being in the best ski country in the world with lots of snow, cold weather, great terrain, and great history.”

Vandenbusche is quick to point out the uniqueness of Steamboat Springs’ ski history, with Carl Howelsen as a skiing pioneer and over 100 Olympians and counting who have ties to the town, including the great Buddy Werner, considered one of the greatest male alpine skiers of all time. “I have also been tremendously impressed with what goes on at Howelsen Hill (jumps, gates, lighted skiing) – it’s no wonder that you are Ski Town, USA,” he said.

IF YOU GO:

“The History if Skiing in Colorado” with Dr. Duane Vandenbusche
March 11 at 5:30 PM
Olympian Hall, Howelsen Hill- 845 Howelsen Parkway
FREE event; no RSVP or tickets required
treadofpioneers.org