VAIL, Colo. — The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum in Vail Village recently unveiled its newest exhibit: “Vail-Dream Realized.”

The exhibit takes visitors through Vail’s 47-year history — from the development of the area to the emergence of Vail as one of the world’s most well-known ski resorts. On display are historical photos, posters and ski memorabilia.

“The Characters of Vail” — an ever changing portion of the exhibit — will recognize many of the individuals who made their marks on Vail.

Beginning with the Ute Indians, the exhibit chronicles the area’s many historical visitors and residents. The Irish nobleman Lord George Gore passed through the area and gave his name to the local mountain range. Charles Vail, a Colorado highway engineer, unknowingly became the valley’s namesake, and the members of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, who trained during World War II at Camp Hale, 15 miles down the road, molded the ski industry in Colorado.

Featured in the exhibit are Vail’s finder and founder, Earl Eaton and Pete Seibert, respectively.

Also a part of the exhibit is the film “Wilderness to World Class,” produced by local filmmaker Roger Brown for Vail’s 25th anniversary. It tells of Vail’s rise and growth as a ski community.

Audio clips allow guests to learn about Vail’s famous ski runs and to hear firsthand from Vail pioneers and Hall of Fame members as they share their personal memories of Vail.

The town of Vail, Vail Resorts and the museum’s members funded the exhibit. The state ski museum is located at the Vail Transportation Center.