The Berthoud Pass Ski Area was owned by the U.S. Forest Service and was a popular place in the 1920s for backcountry skiers. By 1933 the train allowed easier access to the area and it became even more popular for recreationists, despite no formal ski area established there. Skiing Berthoud meant driving to the top of the pass and sending a car to the bottom to retrieve skiers after their run.

A group of skiing enthusiasts decided to improve access by creating what is considered one of Colorado’s first powered ski tow ropes, which was financed by the May Company and Denver Ford dealers. Thus, one of the state’s first formalized public ski areas was born.

On Feb. 7, 1937, was the first day the tow operation began. Unfortunately, two skiers disappeared that day, marring the excitement of this significant day in ski history. Their bodies were not discovered until the next spring and it was believed that they had perished in an avalanche.

After World War II the Forest Service issued the first permit to operate the ski area and Berthoud Pass Lodge was opened. The lodge and ski area closed permanently in 2003 after suffering from financial issues.