“A good skier”, experts say…
Princess Diana on a chairlift in Vail in December of 1994. The Princess of Wales spent much of her time skiing during her first visit to Colorado.
Vail Daily archive
30 years ago
Dec. 30, 1994
Diana, Princess of Wales, dazzled Vail as part of a Colorado skiing vacation, reportedly visiting with Teddy Forstmann, whose brother had a home in Beaver Creek.
Princess Diana was described as a very good skier who skied mainly groomed runs.
“Sources said Princess Diana is staying at a private home in Vail and is expected to stay through 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 skiing on Vail Mountain.”Vail Associates officials said they didn’t know that Princess Diana was in the area until she turned up at ski school.
“Princess Diana and other members of the royal family are continually dogged by English tabloid newspapers and international paparrazzi,” the Daily reported. “Scores of journalists began making local inquiries Wednesday once word got out that she was skiing in Vail.”
40 years ago
Dec. 28, 1984
Former auto magnate John Z. De Lorean hit Vail’s slopes as part of a two-week holiday.
“De Lorean, who was found not guilty last August by a Los Angeles jury of attempting to sell $24 million in cocaine to an undercover FBI agent to save his faltering automobile firm, last visited Vail in 1972 on a skiing vacation,” the Vail Trail reported. “That ski trip didn’t fare too well when his wife broke her ankle. But this time, ‘the kids are just taking lessons, and they love it so far,’ he said.”
Employees said the high-living De Lorean was in good health, tan, and looking fit, the Trail reported.
50 years ago
Jan. 3, 1975
Children seemed to enjoy President Gerald Ford’s trip to Vail, the Vail Trail reported.
“One boy about 12 years old, came walking the opposite direction as the President was leaving a private party. After seeing Ford, he clapped his hand to his head and said ‘My gosh. the President!’ and then fell flat on his back in the snow,” the Trail reported.
Teri Enzer, 7. of Hazelcrest, Ill., approached Ford at Pepi’s. Ford smiled and said “Hi, how are you?” The second grader said fine and asked if she could come to his party as her two older brothers, Steven 14 and Dana, 10, looked on with excited giggles. The child took Ford’s hand and walked with him a little way through the lobby.
The President skied nearly every day while he was in Vail. He left Jan. 2.
“I’ve had a wonderful time and I’ll feel better, do better and work harder,” he said.
60 years ago
Jan. 7, 1964
Prominent visitors to Vail during the holiday season 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.
“Movie actress Dina Merrill and her husband E. Stanley Rumbough came for a stay at the apartment which they own on Vail Trails West,” the Enterprise reported. “Also here from the screen colony has been Shyros Skouras, movie magnate.”
70 years ago
Dec. 30, 1954
Mr. and Mrs. Buck Hickman were in Rifle and Meeker for Christmas with relatives, 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 had dinner and attended a show in Glenwood.
Hilma Grundel was slowly improving at her home after getting sick 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.
