Ski History
My father, Abbott “Bud” Phillips, lived a remarkable life defined by adventure, service, and a deep love of the outdoors. His story is closely tied to the early history of American skiing and the legacy of the soldiers who helped shape the sport after World War II.
During the war, he served in the 10th Mountain Division, an elite unit trained in alpine combat and skiing. In 1945 he fought in the historic Battle of Riva Ridge, one of the division’s most daring and decisive engagements in the Italian Alps. During the battle, my father saved the life of fellow soldier Pete Seibert—who would later go on to found Vail Ski Resort. For his bravery and actions during the fighting, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
When he returned home from the war, skiing remained a central part of his life. Like many veterans of the 10th Mountain Division, he helped shape the postwar ski industry in the United States. He founded the ski school at Mad River Glen and played an important role in building the mountain’s iconic Single Chair at Mad River Glen. That single chairlift, first installed in 1948, still carries skiers up the mountain today and remains one of the most beloved and historic lifts in American skiing.
Outside of the mountains, my father also found his passion on the ocean. He ran a fishing business out of Little Compton, Rhode Island, where he spent many seasons working the water aboard his boat, the Surf Master.
Whether skiing down mountain slopes, helping build the early ski industry, or navigating the Atlantic waters off Rhode Island, Bud Phillips lived a life defined by hard work, courage, and a deep connection to the natural world. His legacy continues not only in ski history, but also in the stories and traditions passed down through our family.
My son, Nicholaas Hallisey, has found his own way to carry forward our family’s connection to ski history. Inspired by the legacy of his grandfather, he combines creativity, craftsmanship, and technology to keep the stories of early skiing alive.
Nicholaas recently graduated with an art degree in computer science from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, blending artistic design with technical skills. Today he works with Aspen Skiing Company as a ski lift operator, where he also uses his creative talents to produce artwork and visual pieces that celebrate the culture and heritage of skiing in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Outside of his professional work, he spends much of his free time restoring historic ski lift chairs. Using a mix of welding, fabrication, and careful restoration techniques, he works to preserve these pieces of ski history while maintaining as much of their original construction as possible. Each chair represents a small piece of the early ski industry and the communities that helped build it.
Through art, craftsmanship, and storytelling, Nicholaas continues a family tradition of honoring the history of skiing and ensuring that the legacy of those early pioneers remains visible for future generations.
