Aspen’s unique topography and excellent winter conditions led Billy Fiske (Olympic Bobsled champion) and capitalist Ted Ryan, to suggest the development of a ski area. The original “Boat Tow” on Aspen Mountain was constructed in 1937 by members of the Aspen Ski Club using old mining equipment.

Up to four people could sit inside a boat and be pulled to “the top” in less than three minutes, whilst the other empty boat slid down the other side. The fee was 10 cents a ride, 50 cents for a half day. The official opening day was January 27, 1938. One hundred people rode Colorado’s biggest ski lift that day.

85 years later and Aspen is one of the most celebrated ski resorts in the world. The price of a day’s skiing has risen by more than inflation, but so also have the facilities, and the ski range now spreads over four mountains.

Aspenites are proud of the town’s long history; first as a mining town and then as a Bohemian resort in the 1960s and 1970s and the Aspen Boat Tow is an integral part of this history.

I wanted to tell a story about the Boat Tow so we made one and it found its way to Aspen. The rest was easy; we just asked one of the world’s more famous women - Cara Delevingne - to climb on board and enjoy the ride. I had her wear on old Andy Mills’ race vest, to add a little more local flavor.