Winter Park’s Indigenous roots are now on the mountain in signs and art installations

By Rachel Estabrook
·
Listen Now
24min 23sec
240408-native-tribes-winter-park-skiing
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Connor Ryan, a Lakota and a professional skier, at his home mountain of Winter Park Resort on April 8, 2024. He’s standing beside a sign on the mountain that translates a ski trail name from Thunderbird Traverse into the Northern Arapaho dialect: Boh’ooonii eihii Traverse. Ryan has played a leading

240408-native-tribes-winterr-park-skiing
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Connor Ryan, a Lakota and a professional skier, at his home mountain of Winter Park Resort on April 8, 2024. Ryan has played a leading role in helping the ski area work to add indigenous elements to its history.

Durango-raised athlete to join U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame

240408-native-tribes-winterr-park-skiing
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A history marker highlighting notable developers of Winter Park Resort, April 8, 2024. Various native tribes called this region home long before white colonial settlers arrived and forced natives out. The resort now works to incorporate indigenous history into its operations, thereby offering a more complete history to the region.

240408-native-tribes-winterr-park-skiing
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Connor Ryan, a Lakota and a professional skier, gestures while describing a sign at Winter Park resort that says “There’s Snow on the Ground” in Northern Arapahoe dialect. Indigenous ancestors lived in the Fraser River Valley long before white colonial settlers arrived in the region and forced natives out. April 8, 2024.

Mount Evans is now Mount Blue Sky

Latest Stories