Aspen Historical Society Retro Film Series

Join Aspen Historical Society to experience skiing’s illustrious past in Aspen/Snowmass area. This community film series will feature a wide range of vintage films from the Aspen Historical Society collection. Spanning several decades, the visual histories bring retro skiing to life on the big screen!  $10 suggested donation at the door; limited seating, first come first served

January 21
Film #1 – Yoo Hoo I’m a Bird (c. 1967) (26 minutes) A film by Fred Iselin that begins with Fred at Aspen Highlands and then follows him on brief tours of several other ski areas. The film touches on Fred’s unique and groundbreaking instructing approach. The final scenes include freestyle skiing and emphasize the feeling of freedom that skiing provides, like that of a bird in flight.

Film #2 – A clip from The Best of John Jay (c. 1965) (23-minute section)
Widely regarded as the “father” of the ski film in its modern form, Jay was particularly adept at filming from a pair of fast-moving skis. This film is described as “A Vail-to-Zermatt greatest-hits compilation from this prolific ski-cinema patriarch, serving up a pioneering pan-global ski safari of yesteryear’s most daring action.“ This specific clip features ski scenes from Taos, Vail, and Aspen.

February 18
Film #1 – Big Week at Aspen (1964) (23 minutes) Narrated by Jack Douglas, this film includes interviews with Leon Uris and John Herron. The film features views of Shadow Mtn. Lodge, Aspen Alps, Hotel Jerome, Red Onion, Golden Horn, Aspen Inn, The Abbey, Aspen Country Club Inn, Kandahar Apartments, snowmobiles or “skidoos,” a sleigh ride, dog sledding at Toklat, Bank of Aspen’s ski-up window, Valley Kilns, Wildweed, Aspen Meadows, Aspen Health Center, Copper Kettle at the Meadows, the Wheeler Opera House, and Lift One. The Wintersköl section features the parade, torchlight descent, fireworks, and the Saloon Slalom.

Film #2 – Aspen Glow (1969) (22 minutes) A film by Dick Barrymore featuring shots of Aspen in the summer and winter of 1969. The winter scenes include Lifts One and Two, and ski jumping. It also includes a Wintersköl parade, ice hockey, a torchlight descent down the mountain, Buttermilk Mountain, skiing on the Big Burn at Snowmass, skiing with wing suits, and cross-country skiing.

March 18
Film #1 – 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale (1940s) (8 minutes) This footage features 10th Mountain activities at Camp Hale, Ski Cooper, maneuvers near Mt. Holy Cross, snow shelters, a Weasel snowcat, and a short section at Ashcroft. The film was shot by the donor’s father and uncle, Paul and Ralph Lafferty. There is no dialogue in this film.

Film #2 – 1950 FIS World Championships (1950) (10 minutes) Filmed by Dick Durrance and narrated by Gary Cooper, this film features the men’s downhill race. It begins in town at the Hotel Jerome, shows Bingo the dog, then spans to Lift One. The remainder of the footage includes downhill racers going over the Dam, down Spar Gulch, over Niagara then through Schuss Gully to the finish, complete with several crashes.

Film #3 –Wintersköl (1955) (19 minutes) Produced by Miller High Life beer company, this film features local personalities Bob Murri, Fred Iselin, Herbert Bayer, and Ralph Jackson. It begins with a tractor ride to Lift One, passing numerous empty lots between the Hotel Jerome and the mountain. Ski instructor Morrie Shepard is seen teaching a ski class and the Uhl family skis together. There are shots of the Hotel Jerome pool in winter, a Wintersköl parade, a costume race, dancing at the Golden Horn, and the t-bar on Little Nell. Ski personalities Dick Wright, Klaus Obermeyer, Sandy Sabbatini, and John Litchfield make cameo appearances.

Covid 19 Update:
Due to the recent increase of Covid 19 cases in our community, and based on CDC guidance, masks are required to be worn while inside the venue. Masks may be removed only for a short time while se