Own A Piece Of Vail History: 2556 Cortina Lane With Legendary Ski Racing Roots On The Market!

Published on October 24, 2025

West Vail, Colorado, a organization synonymous pinch nan tone of skiing and alpine adventure, is astir to bid farewell to 1 of its historical homes. The six-bedroom residence astatine 2556 Cortina Lane is now connected nan market. This home, erstwhile owned by nan Brown family, holds a unsocial spot successful Vail’s history, particularly successful nan world of competitory skiing.

For decades, Byron and Vianne “Vi” Brown, on pinch their children, were pillars of Vail’s improvement and skis racing community. The Browns’ contributions to Vail’s skis culture, from organization building to skis racing, person near an indelible people connected nan town.

The Browns’ Arrival successful Vail

Byron and Vi Brown moved to Vail successful 1964, erstwhile nan edifice municipality was successful its infancy. At that time, Vail had less than 100 residents, a stark opposition to nan bustling skis destination it is today. Byron came to Vail to activity successful existent property development, first for nan Vail City Corporation, past arsenic an independent existent property patient owner. His efforts successful Vail’s maturation went acold beyond business. He was an instrumental fig successful nan constitution of Vail’s infrastructure.

Mike Brown, nan oldest of nan Brown children, recalls really his begetter was an integral portion of Vail’s development. “When we first moved to Vail, we stayed successful nan basement of a exemplary home,” Mike shared. “Dad would often shake hands visitors from Denver, guiding them done nan disposable lots. Many of them would walk nan night, arsenic nan thrust backmost location could return up to 5 hours earlier nan completion of I-70.”

In 1969, nan Browns built their family location astatine 2556 Cortina Lane, 1 of nan first properties successful West Vail North. Their caller location became a haven not conscionable for nan family, but besides for nan Vail community. It was a gathering spot wherever friends and early Olympians would travel to stock a meal, memories, and of course, their passion for skiing.

The Brown Family’s Deep Ski Racing Ties

The Brown family’s relationship to skis racing is undeniable. It began pinch Mike, who went connected to go a nationally-ranked skis racer, competing successful nan World Cup. Under nan guidance of his parents, nan Brown family fostered nan improvement of competitory skiing successful Vail. Byron was instrumental successful creating nan Buddy Werner League, a grassroots programme that helped present young skiers to nan sport. As nan children grew, they moved connected to nan Ski Club Vail, a community-focused skis racing programme that their parents helped build. Vi Brown notably made history arsenic nan first female president of Ski Club Vail, a position she held pinch immense pridefulness and dedication.

Cindy Brown, nan youngest of nan 3 siblings, remembers nan family’s heavy engagement successful nan sport. She notes that We learned to skis astatine Meadow Mountain earlier transitioning to Vail. After a afloat time of skiing, we would make our measurement to Dad’s office, which is now nan Patagonia shop successful Vail Village. The municipality was truthful overmuch smaller backmost then, and our organization was tightly knit.

The Browns’ Contribution to Vail Beyond Skiing

Byron and Vi Brown’s committedness to Vail extended acold beyond their engagement successful skis racing. Vi, for example, worked astatine nan Vail accusation booth and moreover welcomed stranded travelers to their location erstwhile Vail Pass was closed during snowstorms. She besides served connected nan Eagle County School Board, while Byron made awesome contributions to Vail’s infrastructure. His activity connected section h2o and sanitation territory boards for complete 30 years helped guarantee Vail’s description was sustainable.

The Browns’ enduring power was officially recognized successful 2017 erstwhile they were awarded nan Trailblazer Award, a prestigious grant celebrating their lifelong contributions to Vail’s community. They were nan 2nd recipients of nan award, underscoring their captious domiciled successful shaping nan town.

A Home Filled pinch History and Memories

The location astatine 2556 Cortina Lane was not conscionable a spot of residence but a awesome of Vail’s maturation and nan Brown family’s unwavering committedness to nan community. Today, nan residence, which boasts complete 3,000 quadrate feet of surviving space, stands arsenic a reminder of nan early days of Vail’s development.

Mike reflects connected nan home’s typical energy: “The location ever felt live pinch activity. My parents opened their doors to anyone, and nan location was ever filled pinch laughter, conversation, and nan sound of skis hitting snow. It holds a typical spot successful nan hearts of many, and it’s clip for nan adjacent procreation of Vail lovers to make their ain memories here.”

Cindy adds, “This location allowed america to enactment successful Vail. My parents rented retired nan basement, which helped support america here. It was ever afloat of people—friends, racers, and travelers—creating memories. We lived simply, but nan location was ever filled pinch warmth.”

An Ideal Location for nan Next Chapter successful Vail’s Story

Beyond its rich | history, nan home’s location successful West Vail offers melodramatic views of nan Gore Range and easy entree to world-class skiing. The serene deck, cozy double-sided fireplace, and ample surviving abstraction make it a cleanable spot for nan adjacent family to create their ain legacy.

Mike hopes nan location will proceed to service arsenic a spot wherever young skiers and their families tin find inspiration. “Vail has ever been astir organization and nan emotion of skiing, he says. This location was a large portion of that community, and it’s fresh for nan adjacent procreation to return it forward.