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50 years ago

From the Nov. 1, 1956, issue of the Steamboat Pilot & Today

Ski plans move forward

Contour maps of Storm Mountain now are being made to push through development of a $1 million ski area on the 10,600-foot peak just east of Steamboat Springs.

Necessary financial backing is available, Jim Temple said, and he plans to have an exact scale model of the mountain made this winter. Temple has a ranch on Snake River and has been an avalanche forecaster and on the ski patrol at Sun Valley, Idaho, for several years. Names of private investors who intend to finance the big project have not been disclosed.

Temple informed reporters making the initial trip on the Burlington railroad's new vista dome train to Denver last weekend that "if all details concerning this vast area are worked out this winter as planned, construction should begin next summer with the first guests skiing here by 1957."

Information on the proposed development was distributed at a luncheon given for Burlington officials in Denver Saturday by the Colorado Dude Ranchers Association, Colorado Publicity Bureau and the Denver Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is planned to construct a $600,000 tram lift that would be the first of its type in the United States, carrying passengers in steel and plexi-glass enclosed cars.

Engineers are now finishing lift line profiles for six electric lifts of the gondola or double chair type. It was said the lifts would vary in length, from 2,000 to 7,000 feet, with a total of about 25,000 feet.

"These lifts servicing he area will provide skiing for 3,000 people without overcrowding," Temple said.

Storm Mountain long has been considered an ideal site for intensive ski development and the mountain itself would provide more skiing than any present area in the state, its proponents say.

Mr. Temple was given much encouragement on the project last spring and summer when Winter Sports Club officers, Forest Service personnel and tow engineers studied the site.

Shelter houses, lunchrooms and a gigantic parking lot are in the plans, and it is probable summer recreation on the mountain also would develop.

Snow remains on the mountain into May and June while there are more than 20 miles of potential trails. Although much trail clearing would be needed, about a square mile at the top of the twin-domed peak would no require any clearing, it was said.

"Runs will be from three to six miles long for everyone, from beginner to international downhill competitor," Temple said.

Big game hunt ends

Colorado's regular 1956 big game hunt ended yesterday with a better than average kill in most areas throughout the state. There is a two-deer multiple license season opening today in Jackson County.

Hunter's luck increased in the past week as needed moisture blanketed the hillsides and made it easier to track the elusive elk. The deer kill locally is greater than in any year previously, Conservation Officer C. A. (Bud) Hurd said. Elk hunting has been good on the Big Creek and Mad Creek drainages and in the Blacktail Mountain and Yellow Jacket County, he said.

The only bear reported taken in this part of the state was a 400 pound black bruin shot by Wesley Signs of Hayden. Signs got the animal his den on the White River forest between William's Fork and the White River.

A total of 250 deer have been taken to the Hi-Way Frozen food Lockers for processing while 50 elk were brought in. Gordon Odell, owner, said the number of deer taken to the lockers this year is about average while the number of elk brought in is about 50 percent lower than normal.

There were no hunting casualties in Routt County and no one reported lost for any length of time. Only a few small brush and forest fires were attributed to the sportsmen who generally heeded the warning of Forest Service officials to watch campfires and cigarettes.

Series presents ballet

A subscription sale for the 1956-1957 Community Concert Series was concluded in Steamboat Springs last week and 41 season tickets were sold.

The association will present a Paris Ballet on November 26 at the high school in Craig for its first production. It will be the Lycette Darsonval Company of the Paris Opera that will feature Madame Darsonval, who has performed throughout the world. She is a dancer, ballet-mistress, choreo-author and choreographer and has received highly favorable press notices in many countries.

Also featured will be the two first class pianists, both prizewinners. It is not known how many concerts will be given for the winter season at this time, but an announcement on individual performances will be made at a later date.