From: mwallace@nyx.cs.du.edu (Mark Wallace)
Subject: Closed Ski Areas in Colorado - Post 1
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix @ U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 92 17:52:18 GMT

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Following is an article I'm posting which was written by a 
co-worker of mine who's hobby is ski area trivia.  I'll pass 
along any feedback you may have, but don't question this 
information without consideration, I've seen some of his 
resources.  We'll be posting for awhile so if there is an 
area you're interested in it should be covered soon.

Mark Wallace, Castle Rock, CO
mwallace@nyx.cs.du.edu

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Subject:  Closed Ski Areas in Colorado  -  Post 1

Greetings from The Colorado Skier

During early July there were several articles from several folks
concerning closed Colorado ski areas.  Researching lost Colorado
ski areas just happens to be the hobby of The Colorado Skier.  We
even wrote a book on the subject (Would you believe a pamphlet? 
How about a typewritten list?).

The Colorado Skier is prepared to clarify the history and status
of every dead or lost ski area in Colorado.  There are at least
75 of them.  But that's too many for one posting.  So we will
pick 5 from the 20 or so discussed in the recent series of
articles and provide info on them.  Then we will also add five
new areas to challenge your collective memories.

If we discuss 5 dead/lost ski areas every week or so, we should
have covered them all by the time the snow flies and then can
turn our attention to current ski area info. 


LOST COLORADO SKI AREAS  -  EDITION #1

1.  Five lost ski areas you have been discussing:

  ARAPAHOE EAST - Visible from I-70, 5 miles west of the C-470 
    interchange.  Operated from 1972 to 1984.  Was called SKI
    GOLDEN in the 1981/82 season.  Not likely to reopen altho the
    lifts are still standing. 
      Vertical drop: 460 ft    Top: 7360   Base: 6900 
      Lifts: 1 double chair, 1 poma, 1 Mitey Mite
      Other:  Night skiing/snowmaking

  BERTHOUD PASS - The oldest surviving (hopefully) ski area in 
    Colorado.  Operated the first rope tow in CO in 1937.  Opened
    the first double chairlift in the country in 1947.  Used the
    name TIMBERLINE in the 1987/88 season.  Operated thru the
    1990/91 season.  In Fall, 1991 the chairlifts (built by
    BORVIG in 1989) failed the state Passenger Tramway Safety
    Board inspection and somehow they couldn't fix two year old
    chairs in time for the season.  There was also a permit
    problem as "Borvig Corp" owned the lifts and the ski area
    permit was held by "Berthoud Ski Corp" (both companies being
    owned by Gary Schulz).  The NFS says that the permit holder
    has to own the lifts.  So Schulz applied for a new permit as
    Borvig and just had to post a $45,000 bond.  He failed to do
    so, however, and the permit was cancelled.  In March of 92
    the area was put up for sale and the word "bankruptcy" was
    used.  In July 1992, the area was sold to one of the owners
    of Heritage Square in Golden.  The new owner intends to pay
    off all creditors, then pay off Schulz, and open in Fall 92. 
    We hope so. 
      Vertical drop: 535 ft    Top: 11,850   Base: 11,315
      Lifts: 1 each quad, triple, and double chairs 

  SKI BROADMOOR - This area is right in Colorado Springs, has 
    100% snowmaking, is nightlighted and had a great ski school
    program.  It was built by the Broadmoor Hotel in 1959 and
    operated by them until 1986.  When they started to lose money
    they gave up and the city of Colorado Springs was the
    operator in 1986/87 and 87/88.  The city lost money and gave
    up and Vail took over for the 1988/89, 89/90, and 90/91
    seasons.  Vail lost money and gave up, and the hotel (which
    still owns the land and equipment) said that there were no
    other potential operators and the area is now permanently
    closed.  This is a sad moment for us as we learned to ski
    there back in 1965.  
      Vertical drop: 515 ft    Top: 7084   Base: 6569
      Lifts: One ancient double chair, one Mitey Mite

  CHAPMAN HILL - Little known area in Durango on the northwest 
    slopes of the hill on which Ft. Lewis College is located. 
    Still open and operated by the Durango Parks Dept.
      Vertical drop: 300 ft    Top: 6820   Base: 6520  (est.)
      Lifts:  2 rope tows     (night skiing, ice rink)

  CONQUISTADOR - Small area, opened in January 1977 with 250 ft 
    of vertical and two pony lifts.  A major expansion in 1981
    with two chairlifts and more vertical.  The last operating
    season was 1987/88.  The Federal Government (SBA, not RTC)
    now owns the area due to failure of a small business loan. 
    Three buyers were negotiating in Spring 1992 and by July, the
    SBA had chosen a winner.  However, one of the losing bidders
    is suing so the sale is not yet final.  Maybe by Fall?
      Vertical drop: 1200 ft    Top: 10,100   Base: 8,900
      Lifts:  1 triple chair, 1 double chair, 2 pony lifts


2.  Who remembers these Lost Colorado Ski Areas?

       BAKER MOUNTAIN

       CALICO HILL

       CONTINENTAL SKI COURSE

       CRANOR HILL

       HOLIDAY HILLS

  And the list goes on and on and on ...

Bonus Question:   Does anyone (besides us) have a Coors ski
                  poster showing EVERGREEN BASIN?

Cheers from The Colorado Skier