By Eileen Ogintz
VAIL CO. — Let’s hear it for Margie Haas. She was a local home cook who welcomed soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division who were training at Camp Hale in Colorado, just 27 miles south of Vail (as the crow flies) during World War II.
To honor her memory, the Hythe Vail resort has named its breakfast restaurant Margie’s Haus with a bountiful buffet and plenty of other options (fried chicken and waffles baked blueberry pancakes, stuffed French toast, among the choices; if you’re not into buffets, we recommend Jose’s huevos rancheros off the menu).
The 344-room kid and pet friendly hotel is ideally situated whether you want to hike, walk or bike on the Gore Creek Trail, go to the top of Vail Mountain on the Gondola or relax at the & Being Spa with alpine inspired treatments.
There are daily epicurean delights (raclette on Fridays!) fireside s’mores and tastings of 10th Mountain Whiskey. Kids and adults alike love the outdoor pool and hot tub. Near the elevators, you will find framed photographs of the incredible 10th Mountain Division, the only one of its size in the US military to receive specialized training for fighting in mountainous conditions.
In 1944, they fought in some of the toughest terrain in World War II – northern Italy. More recently they participated in Operation Desert Storm, Hurricane Andrew relief in Florida, Haiti, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and more. The 10th Mountain’s home for many years now has been Fort Drum, in upstate New York.
Many who come to Vail to enjoy summer, fall, and of course winter snow sports, don’t realize that the 10th Mountain Division could in part be credited with the creation of Vail Resort.
Pete Seibert, who served during World War II in the 10th Mountain Division, climbed Vail Mountain with local Earl Eaton in 1957. He wanted to build a ski resort here which opened five years later. Ultimately, the resort became the most popular in Colorado and one of the most well known in the world, drawing many international guests. As Seibert hoped, Vail had the amenities of ski villages he had seen in Europe. He was among the 1,950 wounded soldiers and spent 17 months recovering, defying doctors’ predictions that he may not walk again much less ski. Today Vail Resorts is a behemoth, with resorts not only in the US but abroad.
Last night we enjoyed dinner at the Hythe’s Revel restaurant (seating is the same place as for breakfast) where we had our pick of burgers, trout, power bowls, corn chowder, eclectic salads and more – perfect to relax after a long day.