Breckenridge Ski Resort co-founder and Colorado skiing legend Trygve Berge dies at 93
Sarah McLear/Breckenridge Ski Resort
One of the co-founders of Breckenridge Ski Area, Trygve Berge, died April 2 after a brief illness, according to his obituary.
Berge founded the resort in 1961 with Sigurd Rockne and Bill Rounds. Prior to that, the Voss, Norway, native was a professional ski racer, becoming the Norwegian downhill champion in 1954 and competing at the 1956 Olympics in Cortina, Italy, for Norway. A stylish skier and risk-taker, his flips off of jumps and carving were featured in films, postcards and billboards across the state and world.
“His accomplishments, however, tell only a part of his story. To many who knew him, he was a trusted companion, mentor, and friend. He formed lasting friendships across generations whether on chairlifts, in lodges, or around kitchen tables, earning a reputation of kindness, warmth and an easy smile that make people feel welcome,” stated his obituary in Summit Daily News. “His friendships were deep, loyal and enduring, and he took pride in the community that grew around him.”
Many took to social media upon hearing of his death to share how Trygve was a “legend” in Summit County, noting his outgoing personality and ability to connect with people through both his kindness and humor.
“The name Trygve Berge is always going to be synonymous with the town of Breckenridge, Colorado, and the ski resort itself,” Terri Edwards Shannon said of Berge in his 1999 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame induction video. “Every skier in Colorado should be extremely grateful for the contribution he has made to the sport of skiing.”
-
Two of Breckenridge Ski Resorts main founders, Trygve Berge, left, and Sigurd Rockne, pose for a photo. Rockne is part of the 2024 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame class and will officially be inducted on Sept. 7 in Vail.
Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame/Courtesy photo
-
People pose with Breckenridge Ski Resort co-founder Trygve Berge for his birthday party at the Vista Haus on Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 8 on Monday, April 11.
Sarah McLear/Breckenridge Ski Resort
-
Trygve Berge participates in a Champagne toast for his birthday party at the Vista Haus on Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 8 on Monday, April 11.
Sarah McLear/Breckenridge Ski Resort
-
-
Breckenridge Ski Resort co-founder Trygve Berge, right, is presented with a replica of his trail sign at his birthday party at the Vista Haus on Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 8 on Monday, April 11.
Sarah McLear/Breckenridge Ski Resort
-
Breckenridge Ski Resort co-founder Trygve Berge wipes snow off of a plaque that details the resort’s history in Breckenridge, Friday, April 1. The ski area is celebrating its 60th season and Berge turns 90 this month.
Ashley Low/For the Summit Daily News
-
An early Breckenridge postcard features ski school director Trygve Berge doing a flip on Peak 8.
John A. Topolnicki Sr. Photographic Collection/Courtesy Breckenridge Heritage Alliance
-
Breckenridge Ski Resort co-founder Trygve stands in Breckenridge with the slopes in the background Friday, April 1. Berge directed the ski school and co-founded Ullr Fest.
Ashley Low/For the Summit Daily News
-
Bill Rounds, from left, Celdin Catlin, Trygve Berge and Gov. John Love in 1965 on the occasion of meeting to discuss the proposed Winter Olympic Games for Colorado.
Courtesy Trygve Berge
-
Trygve Berge and friend in 1939 at a mock wedding, which was part of the Honsok Celebration during the Midsummer’s Night.
Courtesy Trygve Berge
-
Trygve Berge jumping at Breckenridge in 1962.
Courtesy Trygve Berge
-
Trygve Berge in front of his meeting place at Stein Eriksen’s ski school at Aspen Highlands in 1959.
Courtesy Trygve Berge
-
Trygve Berge pictured in 1999.
Courtesy Bob Winsett
-
“White gold came to Summit County in 1961 with the opening of the Breckenridge Ski Resort and the development of a full-blown ski industry and subsequent real estate boom. Shown in this very early marketing poster is none other than Trygve Berge.
Special to the Daily |
-
Trygve Berge and family on their farm in Voss, Norway in 1935.
Courtesy Trygve Berge
Berge and Rockne laid out and named all of Breckenridge’s original runs, and Berge served as the first director of the resort’s ski school. He told the Summit Daily in 2009 that Trygve’s, a green run named after him on Breck’s Peak 8, has the name because he would teach ski school on the slope.
The Colorado Ski Hall of Fame inducted him into its ranks in 1999. According to prior Summit Daily reporting, he played a part in growing the popularity of skiing in the 1960s and 1970s, skiing for filmmaker Warren Miller on several occasions in Aspen, Boyne Mountain, Mammoth Mountain and Breckenridge.
Born in April 1932, Berge once said Colorado seemed more like home than any other place because he spent so much of his life living there.
Berge was surrounded and comforted by his family and friends in his last few days. He is survived by his children Truls, Rondi, Jan and Trygve Jr. along with his grandchildren Hana, Konur, Hailey and Chloe, according to his obituary.
A celebration of life has not yet been announced.
The Summit Daily plans to publish more about Berge’s impact on Breckenridge and Summit County. Community members who want to share stories of Berge can send an email to news@summitdaily.com.
“His legacy lives on not only in the mountains he helped shape, but in the countless friendships he built along the way,” his obituary stated. “He will be remembered for his character, his stories, his sense of humor, and the sense of belonging he offered so freely to others. He will be missed.”
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.
Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.