Vail
AA-2026-713F35
On the image
Mountain resorts in the 1970s embraced the idea that a truly authentic Alpine experience could be manufactured from concrete and stained wood, provided it was set against a sufficiently impressive mountain backdrop. These multi-storey structures were designed to look quaint and European, complete with their own little balconies, perfect for an evening beverage while contemplating the investment you had just made.
The vehicles of the era, like the ubiquitous Volkswagen van, dotted the paved village lanes, suggesting a certain casual freedom that was probably very inconvenient for anyone trying to navigate with actual skis. In summer, the ski runs lay exposed on the mountain, bare green slopes with dormant chairlifts, patiently waiting for the snow that would transform them into their actual economic purpose.
This was the grand vision: a year-round destination built on the promise of winter sports, but needing to fill the summer months with something less strenuous. It succeeded primarily by convincing people that a faux-European village in Colorado was precisely what they needed for their relaxation dollars, regardless of the season.
The historian's note
This image depicts Vail Village, Colorado, during the 1970s. Vail was founded in 1962, explicitly designed as a European-style ski resort, contrasting with the mining town origins of many other Colorado ski areas. Its rapid development made it a prominent destination for winter sports during this period.
The architecture visible, characterised by chalet-style buildings with stucco exteriors and dark wood accents, reflects the deliberate emulation of Bavarian and Austrian alpine villages that was popular in newly developed American ski resorts. Whilst primarily known for skiing, resorts like Vail began to develop summer tourism offerings in the 1970s, including hiking, mountain biking, and cultural events, to ensure year-round economic viability.
The presence of paved roads and period-appropriate vehicles indicates a developed, accessible resort town. The visible ski infrastructure on the mountain underscores its primary function as a winter sports destination, even when pictured during the green season.
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Vail Village Street, Colorado, Summer 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-713F35. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/vail-village-street-colorado-summer-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026713F35,
title = {Vail Village Street, Colorado, Summer 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-713F35},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/vail-village-street-colorado-summer-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Vail Village Street, Colorado, Summer 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-713F35 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/vail-village-street-colorado-summer-1970s ER -
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