Many historians believe that without skis,
it would have taken another decade for Colorado to be settled.


Norwegian immigrants, originally fleeing religious persecution, came to American en masse from 1820 to 1920, bringing with them a long history of skiing, or “Norwegian Snow Shoeing”. With skiing first referenced in Scandinavia around 3,000 to 4,000BC, there was a rich history of skiing in day to day winter life. The name skiing comes from the Norwegian word skio or stick of wood.


During the 19th century,
for settlers moving west search of gold and minerals,
skiing became a part of daily life.

James K. Hastings, his first winter in Montezuma
A Winter in The High Mountains, Colorado Magazine, July 1950

Ski Stories From

19th Century Colorado

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