Time Machine: 40 years ago, Gillett Group acquires Vail Associates

40 years ago

Sept. 13, 1985

The Vail Trail interviewed new Vail Associates owner George Gillett, who shared his excitement in owning the ski area.

Gillett told the Trail that part of his attraction to Vail was that the resort had “since the early days of Pete Seibert, a belief in the notion of quality.”

As far as what he could do with Vail, Gillett said he would like to “hold up a mirror, and remind ourselves that we are primarily in business for the customers,” he said. “We have a rigorous budgeting process, and our notion of emphasizing quality and service doesn’t mean we’re not cost conscious, because we are. But I think that once we establish a budget, then we’re gone. We’ve left our heritage. Our heritage is that ‘I have a vision.'”

Gillett said he had the long view in his acquisition of Vail and Beaver Creek mountains.

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“The objective of the Gillett Group’s ownership of Vail is not that the Gillett Group has lots of extra resources it can pour into Vail; nor is it our objective to say ‘Vail has the potential in the next five or 10 years to create extra cash’ and then take the cash out of Vail,” he said. “Our objective in every case is to build long-term value, and to have the asset itself build its own long-term value. So we’re going to require the continued cooperation and involvement of ourselves and the entire valley in this process. We’re not coming in as the fat cats; on the other hand we’re not coming in hat in hand.”

80 years ago

Sept. 14, 1945

A Bronze Star medal was awarded posthumously to Pvt. Wayne Brown, a member of the 86th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division who grew up in Eagle and died on the battlefield in Italy earlier that year.

Brown’s citation said it was “For heroic achievement in action, Feb. 24, 1945, near Della Torraccia, Italy.

“The platoon of which Pvt. Brown was a member successfully occupied its objective, and while reorganizing its position for defense, the enemy opened an artillery barrage and swept the army with machine gun fire. “With no regard for his own safety, Pvt. Brown crawled from the safety of his fox hole to an advantageous position, and opened fire with his Browning automatic rifle, silencing a machine gun. While in the action of completing this noble deed, fragments of an enemy 88 mm. shellburst mortally wounded him.

“By his bravery and unselfishness he gave his platoon an opportunity to resume organization of their positions in the eventuality of counter-attack, His meritorious feat is worthy of praise and is highly in keeping with the lofty traditions of the United States Army.”

120 years ago

Sept. 15, 1905

Horse dentist Frank W. Nott had plans to perform a Buffalo Bill-style Wild West show in Glenwood Springs, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

“A stage coach has been secured and the Indians who will be there will take part in the exciting episode,” the Enterprise reported. “They will steal up on a lonely cowboy on the plains and take his horse and saddle from him.”

Another scene was set to depict “the cowboys of the early days roping another cowboy and dragging him,” the Enterprise reported.

Nott was able to set up the play “without causing personal injury,” the Enterprise reported, because he had “handled this kind of entertainment a number of times in this state and the matter will be left fully in his hands so that the people will be assured of his success in this matter. He will see to it that only blank cartridges will be used and the man who lies down as shot will be as alive as the rest of them.”