Ski History

The University of Denver collects personal papers, organizational records, publications, and ephemera related to the history of skiing and other winter sports, with a focus on Colorado and the American West.

The Ski History collections features a rare archive of over 1600 books, periodicals, photographs, memorabilia, and related material on the history and evolution of skiing from its origins in Scandinavia through to its development as a sport in the Alps at the end of the 19th Century and into the 20th Century. The collection contains original editions of books from over 20 countries published between 1558 and the present day. The main focus of the collection is on skiing as a sport and the development of skiing technique with works from the beginning of the 20th century.

We also hold the records of the University of Denver Ski Team as part of the University's Archives. As of 2021, the DU Ski Team has won 24 national championships and boasts the first national champion in any DU sport (Barbara Kidder, 1946). Internationally renowned ski coach Willy Schaeffler took the program into varsity status in 1948, and since then DU has turned out Olympic champions, ski industry innovators, and lovers of recreational skiing.