My dad, his sisters and my grandparents spent many leisure hours skiing. Climax Mining Company opened a skiing area across from the mine and the town in the 1930s and offered Colorado skiers the first opportunity to ski at night.
Like so many ski areas in Colorado, the Climax ski area is now closed.
The photos below reflect a time that no longer exists. When a family could afford ski passes for themselves and their children at simply run ski areas and lodges.
My aunt Debbie performs an excellent plow or v-shape maneuver on her skis. My grandmother watches her form. 
My aunt Debbie rides in a ski gondola wearing her snazzy goggles. Shot by my grandfather, 1963-64. 
My aunt Robin rides up in a gondola to ski down. Photo by my grandfather, W. R. Allen, 1963-64. 
My aunt Debbie skis at Climax ski area, circa 1960-61. Photo by my grandfather. 
My aunt Debbie and my grandfather on the slopes at Climax, Colorado. Photo taken by my grandmother, circa 1960-61 
My aunt Debbie has taken a tumble on her kid skis. Shot by my grandfather, W. R. Allen, in 1960-61. Climax, Colorado 
My aunts Robin and Debbie prepare to ski at Vail, Colorado. Taken by my grandfather W. R. Allen in 1963-64. 
Here my aunt Robin is in the class plow or v-shape used by skiers to slow their downward descend. Her legs are a little bit splayed but otherwise she looks fantastic. Shot by my grandfather, W. R. Allen 
My aunt Robin and grandmother Fabyan Watrous prepare to ski downhill. Shot at Vail ski area by my grandfather W. R. Allen 
My grandmother with the goggles on. On her left is my aunt Robin and the right is my aunt, Debbie Rutzebeck. I believe this photo was taken at Vail ski area in 1963 or 1964. 
My aunt Debbie with two unidentified males, possible at Vail ski area. By the time this photo was taken, Climax ski area had been shuttered along with the town of Climax itself. 
My aunt Robin Allen, probably about ten in this photo. Neither Debbie nor Robin recall which ski area they were at when this photo was taken. 
My grandmother and father clip their skis to their old leather boots at Climax Ski Area. Shot by W. R. Allen 
My father, Jon Allen, and my grandmother, Fabyan Watrous, have made it up one hill, ready to go down another at Climax ski area, Climax, Colorado. Shot by my grandfather, W. R. Allen, circa 1952-53. 
My grandmother, Fabyan Watrous, downhill skiing at Climax, Colorado. Mount Arkansas is behind her. Photo taken by my grandfather, W. R. Allen, circa 1952-53
W R Allen Photography 
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