This past Sunday marked Ed OâBrienâs 75th birthday and what better way to celebrate than by hitting the slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek. OâBrien, who became hooked on the Vail ski experience upon his first visit in 1971, celebrated an additional and extremely impressive milestone this Friday morning as he strapped on his skis for his 70th year straight of downhill skiing. As a long-time local of Vail, living in the valley for 21 years and just recently relocating to Seattle, it is safe to say OâBrien spent his fair share of time out on the mountain. His 70 years have not been short of time on the snow.