Time Machine: 60 years ago, Ute Tribe performs successful snow dance on Vail Mountain

30 years ago

Dec. 17, 1993

A Vail homeowner, in a letter to the Aspen Times, used golf course development to call attention to what he called “Wal-Mart culture” and out-of-control development in Eagle County.

“Vail and Eagle County have lost all control and exhibit no interest whatsoever in limiting growth,” wrote Art Allard. “Aspen has but one golf course, and it is public; and that is as it should be. From Vail to Edwards (a short and narrow 20 miles) there exist: Vail, Eagle-Vail, Par 3 Eagle-Vail, Beaver Creek, Arrowhead, Singletree, and Cordillera golf courses … Moreover, there are golf course discussions for East Vail, Wolcott, Eagle, Gypsum and Adam’s Rib.”

40 years ago

Dec, 16, 1983

A land swap was proposed by the Lodge at Vail to acquire 111 acres of real estate in Vail, the Vail Trail reported.

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The Lodge proposed to trade private landholdings in Eagles Nest Wilderness and other Colorado areas totaling 2,447 acres in exchange for parcels near Straddle Creek, the Vail golf course and approximately 30 acres behind the Lodge at Vail, including land around Chairs 1 and 16.

“Although the Lodge would receive 111 acres in the exchange, it would only be able to develop about 22 acres,” the Trail reported.

In Eagles Nest Wilderness, the two largest private land parcels would be turned over to the Forest Service — 385 acres of sheep pasture on Piney River and Meadow Creek, the Trail reported.

50 years ago

Dec. 14, 1973

Vail’s Golden Peak race course hosted the Benson & Hedges Pro Race, drawing top names and many spectators, the Vail Trail reported.

“Vail has, in the past, offered the pro ski racers deeper snow but according to the competitors this past week’s event couldn’t be surpassed for a perfectly groomed course and hospitality from the village,” the Trail reported.

The event included a SKI Magazine cocktail party and dinner at Manor Vail, catered by Luc Meyer of the Left Bank.

“But the highlight of the evening, of course, was Pete Seibert, Vail Associates Board Chairman, speaking on behalf of the National Ski Area Association, as president concerning their recent activities in Washington to kill Scoop Jackson’s bill he was proposing to try to eliminate outdoor recreation in the interest of the energy crisis,” the Trail reported.

60 years ago

Dec. 12, 1963

Rain dancers from the Southern Ute Tribal Council were invited to Vail Mountain to bring snow to the slopes, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

The dancers “proved — at least to most chilly spectators — that they produce rain or snow at will, as they conjured up snow at the Vail ski resort near Minturn Saturday,” the Enterprise reported.

“The dancers, from Ignacio, were invited to the resort by Vail executives, who decided a modified rain dance perhaps would blanket snow-starved mountains,” the Enterprise reported. “Vail executives really planned the show as a ‘fun thing’ — a bit out of the ordinary for the enjoyment of skiers and natives who cared to attend. As it turned out, snow began falling before the Indians took to the stage Saturday morning — and some of the spectators were doing as much dancing as the Indians — trying to keep warm.”

70 years ago

Dec. 17, 1953

Representatives from the Eagle County Farm Bureau attended the State Farm Bureau convention in Denver, discussing many state and national issues, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

“The main issue was on price support of cattle, which was voted down by a large majority,” the Enterprise reported.

Price supports are prices that are set above the market price by the government to guarantee a producer a minimum price for their goods.

80 years ago

Dec. 17, 1943

The Morgan family of Eagle received a card from the family of Private Gilbert M. Adams telling the Morgans that Adams was doing OK after being taken prisoner in the war.

“There has been quite an interest in young Adams locally,” the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported. “He worked for various ranchers in the valley during his stay in the county, and made a great many friends. He was in the first class sent for selective service training, going from this county as a transfer from Wyoming where he had registered.”

Adams was among the first Americans to be reported missing during the fall of the Philippines and was being held as a prisoner of the Japanese at Philippine Military Prison Camp No. 4, the Enterprise reported.