UPDATE: Andy pointed out that there are a variety of photos of the 1954 Jeep Lift at the Aspen Historical Society’s website. Here are a couple from the site. You can see the remainder here:
https://aspenhistory.pastperfectonline.com/search?utf8=✓&search_criteria=%22jeep+lift%22&searchButton=Search
CREDIT: Aspen Historical Society : One color film positive of the Jeep Lift that took place when the Lift One broke down in 1954, and jeeps were used to transport skiers up the mountain. This image shows several women walking away from the jeeps with their skis on their shoulders. Mt. Hayden is in the background.
CREDIT: Aspen Historical Society : One b/w photograph of several people and some ski equipment in a jeep driving by Little Nell. The towers for the t-bar can be seen, as well as several jeeps and a building on the far left side. Probably part of the “Jeep Lift” in 1954, when jeeps were used to transport skiers to the top of the mountain because the lift was broken.
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Original post from October 1, 2018:
In 1954 Aspen Ski Corporation’s Lift #1 broke during the ski season. In order to keep folks skiing, a road was plowed to the top of Aspen Mountain and townspeople ferried skiers for an entire week. According to the Aspen Journalism, thirty-five jeeps hauled 2,500 skiers, earning $1,109 in tips.
Among the people who organized the vent was Natalie Gignoux, who’d started the Little Percent Taxi Service using a jeep in 1950.
https://www.aspenjournalism.org/2017/01/11/aspen-ski-history-timeline/
PHOTO CREDIT: ASPEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, COURTESY OF ASPEN JOURNALISM. One b/w photograph and negative of about 10-15 jeeps and cars parked up near the top of Aspen Mountain. The Sundeck and lift towers can be seen in the background. There are skiers near the cars getting their equipment out of the cars. Sitting in the jeep is Dave Stapleton, John Thorpe is standing next to him (white shirt, buzz cut), Neil Beck is standing in front of John (grey shirt), and Euclid Worden in black cap. 1954-.
