Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
W. Michael Elliott - 1942
Inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame 1993
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Colorado
Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame W. Michael Elliott - 1942 Inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame 1993 | Home | Back to Alphabetical List | Year of Induction List | Back to Athlete | Back to Ski Sport Builder | Back to Inspirational |
Mike is a native of Durango, Colorado, and a fourth-generation Coloradoan. He started skiing when he was six years old and went on to compete in Cross-country skiing. A protégé of Adolph Kuss, a Colorado Ski Hall of Famer, Mike was introduced to skiing and coached by Kuss in Durango's Junior Program, at Fort Lewis College and on the National Ski Teams. He became the Junior Rocky Mountain Division Cross-country Champion in 1958, and from there went on to win Junior National Championships, NCAA Cross-country Championships (twice), represented the US on FIS Ski Teams (three times), represented the US on Olympic Ski Teams (three times), served on President Ford's Commission on Olympic Sports, served on the Executive Committee of the USOC and won ten National Master's Cross-country Championships.
Mike had his competitive career interrupted twice as a junior when he severely broke his leg two years in a row, on the same date, Alpine skiing. He also had his competitive career interrupted three years with a tour of duty as an Infantry Officer in the US Army, which included a year in Vietnam in 1968-69.
After honorable discharge from the US Army, Mike attended graduate school at Colorado State University. He continued skiing and competing on the United States Olympic Cross-country Ski Team. In 1973 he began work at Purgatory Ski Resort, where he is currently employed. Mike has held numerous positions at Purgatory-Durango Ski Resort during the past twenty years, including many in management and operations. Presently, he is Director of Skier Services.