U.S. Olympic skier and skiing pioneer. A Floridian by birth, in 1932 Durrance won the German Junior Alpine Championship and in 1936, at Sestrier, Italy, became the first American to dominate a major European ski race. A 17-time U.S. ski champion he helped make Aspen a top ski destination; became the first general manager of the Aspen Skiing Co.; was a key developer of the Alta, Utah resort. He finished eighth in the slalom and 11th in the downhill in the 1936 Winter Olympics. In addition to his national titles, he also won three Harriman Cups, North America's largest ski race in the late 1930s. His influence helped Aspen hosted the 1950 World Championships. Bewteen 1940 and 1993 he produced and directed at least 46 ski films. Durrance's image was on the U.S. Ski Association's medal for several years. Died of natural causes.
U.S. Olympic skier and skiing pioneer. A Floridian by birth, in 1932 Durrance won the German Junior Alpine Championship and in 1936, at Sestrier, Italy, became the first American to dominate a major European ski race. A 17-time U.S. ski champion he helped make Aspen a top ski destination; became the first general manager of the Aspen Skiing Co.; was a key developer of the Alta, Utah resort. He finished eighth in the slalom and 11th in the downhill in the 1936 Winter Olympics. In addition to his national titles, he also won three Harriman Cups, North America's largest ski race in the late 1930s. His influence helped Aspen hosted the 1950 World Championships. Bewteen 1940 and 1993 he produced and directed at least 46 ski films. Durrance's image was on the U.S. Ski Association's medal for several years. Died of natural causes.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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