“Screenwriter Steve Teisch (left), who wrote screen and movie scripts for ‘Breaking Away,’ was in Snowmass last week for the Coors International bicycle classic where he ran into Shaun Cassidy; Cassidy starred in the TV series of ‘Breaking Away,’” noted a caption to an image in a July 1981 edition of The Aspen Times.

The coming-of-age film about working-class friends and an obsession with competitive cycling won the 1979 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Tesich, receiving nominations in four additional categories, including Best Picture. The film also won 1979 Golden Globe Award for Best Film (Comedy or Musical) and earned nominations in three other Golden Globe categories.

“Anderson Ranch to name wood barn after Sam Maloof,” proclaimed The Aspen Times on July 24, 1986. “Sam Maloof, a contemporary figure in the crafting of handmade furniture, has been teaching in the wood program for many years. He also has donated works for the annual Anderson Ranch fundraising auction. The woodworking facility has been in operation in its present form since 1984. The old log cabin has been restored and enlarged by architect Harry Teague. … Featured in Fine Woodworking, Maloof is best known for his rocking chairs.”

“Snowmass Now” headlined an Aspen Times article June 29, 1972 about the newest development of Snowmass-at-Aspen.

In a Master Plan prepared by THK Associates, Inc. of Denver, a part of the Murray-McCormick Environmental Group, the Times reported “It should be noted at the outset (as the plan does in its introductory ‘Overview’) that Snowmass (is) one part of a regional concept. The plan emphasizes, ‘Aspen will continue to be the dominant center’ (of immediate area). That doesn’t mean Snowmass intends to be only a season resort, even a four-seasonal-resort. According to the plan, 3,293 permanent residents will live on Snowmass-American property by 1990, give or take a few years. By 1981, Snowmass is expected to have 1,706 year-round residents.”

According to a demographics report for Snowmass Village on the town website, by 1990 they had a population of 1449, by 2014 it was 2,889 and is currently around 2,800. The map associated with the report and article shows the limitations and potential existing development.

“Anderson Ranch gets $10,000 grant,” applauded the Aspen Times in June 1980.

“The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded a grant of $10,000 this week to Anderson Ranch, bringing the art center’s project closer to reality,” the paper reported. “According to Caleb Bach, director of Anderson Ranch, the NEA grant is to be used to cover the design phase of the project. Total cost of the barn winterization has been set at $50,000. … He said tentative plans are that the main level will accommodate a small office area plus a large, unbroken gallery space that can also be used for lectures, film showings, concerts, or any other community meeting of medium size. The upper level will be converted into studio space for summer workshops, and also use by artists-in-residence. Said Bach, ‘The entire structure will have to be chinked, insulated, heated, and opened up to provide more light. The plumbing and electrical facilities will be improved.’”

John Cooley, marketing director for the Janss Colorado Corp., spoke with George Madsen for his KSNO Commentary program on Sept. 28, 1966; it was recorded for the Aspen Historical Society to document history in the making. Cooley moved to the area in December 1965 and was in charge of communicating with the public and future skiers the status of the project that was in full-blown construction mode in 1966.

“First Village” had all the groundwork completed and could start building the framework. The golf course landscape was taking shape in order to start seeding in spring 1967 but would not be ready to open until summer 1968. The first three lifts were completed, including the Fanny Hill and Burlingame lift — shown here in the midst of construction in the background behind John Cooley in the spring of 1966.

You can listen to the entire interview in the archives at the Aspen Historical Society.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the caption of a photo. Because of incorrect information from the Aspen Historical Society, the caption misidentified the subject; he is Dick Moebius.

The West Village area under construction in late spring of 1967 was “the first of several villages to be built by Snowmass-at-Aspen,” according to the caption of a photo in the Aspen Illustrated News on May 25, 1967.

“A total of $75 million is expected to be spent on the development over the next 10-15 years,” the paper reported. The development was considered a giant jigsaw puzzle with so many moving parts that a “360 computer” was used to help keep track of “what was happening at any given moment in the development of West Village and its extremities (including) the golf course, roads, utilities, and subdivisions.”

The system was designed to keep the project on schedule, though it was initially built for the “Navy to keep track of missile programs.”

“Brush Creek School Entertains,” recapped an article in the Aspen Times in 1934.

“Friday evening, May 25th, Brush Creek School closed for the year with a program and party. The program consisted of a number of recitations and a play,” the Times reported. “A prize was awarded (to) Edwards Roberts for having the highest average for the year. Charles Roberts, the only eighth grader, was second. Miss Stewart presented him with his diploma. After the program the older folks played cards and others spent the evening dancing. Music was furnished by Hildur Hoaglund. Refreshments served at a late hour.”

A May 1967 photo spread in The Aspen Illustrated News showcased the extensive construction efforts at what would become the Snowmass-at-Aspen ski area. This photo, taken by David Hiser for that photo spread, shows chairs waiting to be attached to Lift 2, also known as the Burlingame Lift.

“Aspen Skiing Corporation, under a joint development agreement, will have five lifts serving 50 miles of trails for December 16 opening,” the caption read.

As development cranked up at the soon-to-be Snowmass-at-Aspen ski area, the Aspen Illustrated News published a photo spread in May 1967 of the construction happening throughout town. This photo was published with the caption “Clearing for the commercial area (Snowmass Mall). John McBride, in charge of commercial development, expects 18 to 20 businesses to open at Snowmass next year. In the background, workmen begin the Janss lodge, the Wildwood.”

The Aspen Illustrated News spring 1967 issues reported on a Snowmass-at-Aspen project slated to open in December with updates and a look ahead at the future of the region.

“‘Sold’ buttons cover (a) map of Wood Run residential area,” read a caption for a map showing the lots along Wood Run. “Salesmen are insured of sales (for) 10 to 15 years if project proceeds as planned. The rate of sales will control the growth of Snowmass-at-Aspen.”

The Wood Run area is one of the oldest neighborhoods related to the massive undertaking involved in designing, building and opening the Snowmass-at-Aspen Ski Area.