One of the biggest influences on Colorado skiing history was the 10th Mountain Division. The U.S. Army trained the 10th in the Vail area for high country combat in Europe during World War II. Many of these men, based at the massive Camp Hale, south of Vail, returned from duty in Europe to the surroundings they had come to know during their training, the Rocky Mountains. These men guided the future of skiing in Colorado. One of these courageous pioneers, Peter Seibert, was one of the founders of the Vail Resort, and a member of the Ski Hall of Fame. The Vail Resort opened December 15, 1962, to a disappointing winter snow season. But Vail had the advantage of being only half the driving distance from Denver as Aspen, and has grown steadily since that day.

Denver won the Olympic bid in 1976 for the Winter Games.  Vail and Beaver Creek were selected as the sites to host the downhill events. However,   Denver voters rejected the plan to finance the games, which upset many in the ski industry.  This was the only time in Olympic history that the games were turned down once they were awarded.