Aspen History: Let There Be Light

“Ski course will be lighted to second road,” proclaimed the Aspen Times on Dec. 14, 1939. “WPA workers, who have been employed on the local ski course, finished last Friday with setting light poles along the course to the top of the slalom run at the second road. Wires will be strung and the lights installed as soon as the reflectors and light bulbs arrive. Poles and wire for the job were donated by the Roaring Fork Water, Light and Power Company, who will also provide power for operating the flood lights during the coming ski season. Night skiing proved very popular here last year after lights were installed on the lower slopes of the course and this year with the entire slalom course lighted it is expected that Roch Run will be the scene of many a jolly night ski party and will be quite an attraction for out of town skiers.” This image shows Roch Run and Corkscrew on Aspen Mountain, circa 1940. Mill Street runs up the left side of the image, and Durant is in the foreground running left to right.