Information Center for Ropeway Studies

The Collection (1939-1996) focuses on the working papers of Charles F. Dwyer. It includes documents, correspondence, reports and records of field work, but also photographs and notes. (Dwyer also donated many of the publications that were the foundation of the Ropeway Center in its inception; these can be found in the Library catalog.) Dwyer was a leading figure in the development of the ropeway industry in Colorado ski areas. The Collection also includes scattered materials on other ski areas in the US and internationally.

Box 1 -- Miscellaneous organization materials; newspaper clippings and notes. Includes:

• Miscellaneous memos, notes and correspondence on meetings of the North American Aerial Tramways Officials (NAATO) and OITAF-NACS (1984-1991)
• Newspaper clippings and miscellaneous documents covering ropeway accidents, including YAN Keystone chair; Vail gondola.
• Miscellaneous newspaper clippings and documents on the history of skiing

Box 2 -- Ski areas, Colorado (1941-2005), miscellaneous documents, reports, newspaper clippings and promotional materials, organized by ski area.

Box 3 -- Ski areas, Colorado (cont.); and papers related to operations (1951-2005) of:

• OITAF-NACS Committee on Aerial Tramway Authorities
• Association of Recreational Tramway Authorities (ARTA) (1951-2005).

Box 4 -- Correspondence, notes and documents related to operations (1972-1992) of:

• International Aerobus Association (IAA)
• Society of Aerial Tramway Engineers (SATE)
• Internationale Tagung der Technischen Seilbahnaufsichtsbehorden (ITTAB)

Box 5 -- Correspondence, notes and documents related to operations of the Internationale Tagung der Technischen Seilbahnaufsichtsbehorden (ITTAB) (1990-1994)

Box 6 -- Newspaper clippings, histories, notes and other materials on ski lift installations (various) in Colorado (1902, 1947-1990).

Box 7 -- Technical information, specifications on historical lift installations; with scattered brochures, miscellaneous materials:

• Tramway Data Sheets, Colorado
• Equipment Data Sheets, Colorado
• Aerial Tramway Data Sheets, US
• Miscellaneous materials, US

Box 8 -- Technical information, specifications on historical lift installations in the US; miscellaneous and historical materials on US and international ropeway sites; and accident files; with some photocopies (1938-1996):

• Data Sheets on Region 9, US Forest Service (New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
• Miscellaneous materials, international sites (Austria, British Columbia, France, Switzerland)
• Historical files related to sites in Colorado, California and Oregon
• Accident files on incidents in Alaska, California, and Colorado

Box 9 -- Accident-related materials: Newspaper clippings, photographs, reports and notes on accidents in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming. Includes materials related to the Vail Aerian Tramway & Ski Safety Seminars (1981-1986).