Durrance Family History - just a snapshot

The Durrance family moved to Aspen in 1947 when Dick Durrance, America’s first skier of international stature, became the first General Manager of the Aspen Skiing Company. Dick and his wife Miggs had been to Aspen in the late thirties to compete in the U.S. National Skiing Championships. They returned after helping to start Sun Valley and Alta.

While general manager of Aspen Skiing Company, Dick Durrance designed the layout of the trails on Aspen Mountain. The width of Ruthie’s Run was revolutionary at the time. He also headed up the successful effort to bring the 1950 F.I.S. World Championships to Aspen, which would put Aspen on the map as one of the premier ski resorts in the world. From the early fifties on Dick focused most of his energies on filming documentaries, making ski films and international travel films.

Dick Durrrance is widely regarded as the Father of American Skiing.