Michael W. ELLIOTT

Mike Elliott was a native of Durango, Colorado who took up cross-country skiing when he was only six. He later competed at Fort Lewis College, where he won two NCAA cross-country titles. Elliott’s career was interrupted by two broken legs, sustained while Alpine skiing, and a tour of duty in Vietnam as an infantry officer in the US Army. After discharge from the Army he did graduate work at Colorado State University. He also served on President Ford’s Commission on Olympic Sports and the Executive Committee of the USOC. Elliott has continued to compete, winning over 10 US Masters cross-country championships. Since 1973 he has worked in various positions at Purgatory-Durango Ski Resort, including work in management and operations, and as of 2009, serves as Director of Skier Services.