Steamboat

Martin
Hart
Could the 1980s truly
have been a golden era
for Steamboat?
At the time, a controversial
proposal to build a sister ski area
at Lake Catamount overshadowed
developments at the Steamboat Ski
Area that have stood the test of time.
Under the leadership of Martin
Hart, chairman of the Steamboat
Ski Corporation in the 1980s, the
first chairlifts were installed to the
top of both Storm Peak and Sundown. The Summit Poma
Lift, which had previously taken skiers to the top of Mount
Werner, was dismantled.
The opening of Sunshine Bowl significantly expanded
the ski area’s terrain. Affectionately dubbed “Wally
World” by locals who saw the gentle terrain as having the
potential of Chevy Chase’s “Vacation” destination, the
new runs included Tomahawk, Quickdraw and Flintlock.
Rendezvous Saddle and Ragnar’s restaurant opened, and
Sunshine and South Peak lifts allowed skiers to access the
terrain.
The old Bell gondola, which swung precariously high
from only a handful of towers, was replaced by the eightpassenger
“Silver Bullet,” as today’s gondola was originally
named.
And in 1989, snowboarding was allowed.
Also under Hart’s tenure, which extended for three
years after he sold the ski area in 1989, employee housing,
snowmaking, direct flights to Yampa Valley Regional
Airport, Hazie’s, summer trails, Valley View and in-bounds
access to Chute II and III and Christmas Tree Bowl were
all developed.
“We got a lot done,” Hart recalls. “And we had a great
time with it. Our investors came out well from an economic
standpoint.”
Hart is quick to share the credit with community.
“Most people remember me, because of my position in the
company, but all the people in the town really contributed
to making Steamboat a family-oriented, fun place. The
county commissioners took the lead with the airport, and
downtown really grew too.
“But especially, the employees — it really was the
people that worked for us who made it happen.”
Today, Hart lives in Denver, but says he’d like to see
the recent improvements at the base area, especially the
outdoor fireplaces and Promenade. ”I’ve heard good
comments about what’s happening up there,” he says.
Esther Delli Quadri
Was the first female ski patroller on the
mountain, Winter Carnival queen, ski racer and
long-time race official, who is currently on the
board of the Rocky Mountain Division, USSA.
Rick DeVos
Former director of the Steamboat Ski Area ski &
snowboard school, now executive director of the
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.
Chris Diamond
President and chief operating officer of the
Steamboat Ski Area since 1999; community and
ski industry leader.
Shannon Dunn
First Steamboat rider to win an Olympic medal.
Joe Foreman
Presided over ski area expansion into Morningside Park and
Pioneer Ridge.
Hans Geier
Named in 2012 to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame,
Geier was the ski area president for nine years, increasing annual
skier-day visits from 360,000 to over 1,000,000
Sherry Gibson
Joined the ski area in 1980 and has served as executive assistant
to the president since 1994.
Rod Hanna
Presided over the marketing department of the Steamboat Ski
Area for 25 years.
Martin Hart
Was chairman of the Steamboat
Ski Corporation from 1980
through 1989; stayed on as chair
through 1991 under Kamori
Kanko ownership.
Dick Hauserman
Designed the famous Steamboat
logo in 1970.
Ray Heid
An Olympian and familiar
cowboy in Steamboat, Ray skied
the backcountry with Buddy
Werner et al. before the ski area
was opened, and he still skis it
today.
Delbert Heid
Served on lift & maintenance
crews when the resort opened
and was a member of the
National Ski Patrol.
Courtesy John T Martin, Artist
STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI SEASON 2012/13 | 75
Gabrielle Boiselle