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Princess Diana on a chairlift in Vail in December 1994. The Princess of Wales spent much of her time skiing during her first visit to Colorado.
Vail Daily Archives
30 years ago
December 30, 1994
Diana, Princess of Wales, dazzled Vail during a ski vacation in Colorado, reportedly visiting Teddy Forstmann, whose brother had a home in Beaver Creek.
Princess Diana was described as a very good skier who mainly skied groomed slopes.
“Sources say Princess Diana is staying at a private home in Vail and is expected to stay until New Year’s Eve,” the Vail Daily reported. “She kept a low profile after arriving in Eagle County by private jet. Locals spotted her in Lionshead, at the Vista Bahn chairlift and while skiing on Vail Mountain.
Vail Associates officials said they were unaware Princess Diana was in the area until she showed up at ski school.
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“Princess Diana and other members of the royal family are constantly hounded by English tabloid newspapers and international paparrazzi,” the Daily reported. “Dozens of journalists began investigating locally on Wednesday when word got out that she was skiing in Vail.”
40 years ago
December 28, 1984
Former auto magnate John Z. De Lorean visited the slopes of Vail while on a two-week vacation.
“The Lorean, who was found not guilty by a Los Angeles jury last August of attempting to sell $24 million worth of cocaine to an undercover FBI agent to save his faltering car company, last visited Vail in 1972 during a ski vacation,” according to the Vail Trail. reported. “That ski trip didn’t go so well when his wife broke her ankle. But this time, “the kids are just taking classes, and so far they’re loving it,” he said.
Employees said the wealthy De Lorean was in good health, tanned and appeared fit, the Trail reported.
50 years ago
January 3, 1975
Children seemed to enjoy President Gerald Ford’s trip to Vail, the Vail Trail reported.
“A boy about twelve years old was walking from the opposite direction as the President was leaving a private party. After seeing Ford, he clapped his hand on his head and said, “My God. the president!’ and then fell flat on his back in the snow,” the Trail reported.
Teri Enzer, 7. of Hazelcrest, Illinois, approached Ford at Pepi’s. Ford smiled and said, “Hello, how are you?” The second-grader said it was okay and asked if she could come to his party as her two older brothers, Steven, 14, and Dana, 10, looked on excitedly and giggled. The child took Ford’s hand and walked him some way through the lobby.
The president skied almost every day while in Vail. He left January 2.
“I had a great time and I will feel better, perform better and work harder,” he said.
60 years ago
January 7, 1964
Prominent visitors to Vail during the holidays included the Kennedy families, who stopped by on their way from Washington to Aspen, and astronaut Scott Carpenter and his family, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
“Film actress Dina Merrill and her husband E. Stanley Rumbough came to stay at the apartment they own on Vail Trails West,” the Enterprise reported. “Also here from the film colony was Shyros Skouras, film mogul.”
70 years ago
December 30, 1954
Mr. and Mrs. Buck Hickman were in Rifle and Meeker with relatives for Christmas, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Bud Guy and son visited the Duffy family in Robinson, and Mr. and Mrs. Oatman Gordon dined and attended a show in Glenwood.
Hilma Grundel slowly improved at her home after becoming ill several weeks earlier. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Saltzgaver were in Denver for the holidays and Dick Sixkillers was invited to a party hosted by the Hartle family.