Sun Valley Idaho Union Pacific Overland

Averell Harriman-the Chairman of the Board for the Union Pacific Railroad was the catalyst of what would become the famous resort of Sun Valley. He wanted a world class Ski report that rivaled the great European resorts of France and Switzerland, but also situated logically adjacent to major western rail routes the development occurred in the mid 1930's when America was pulling out of the Great Depression, a time that made sense to establish direct train service to Hailey Idaho and Sun Valley. Sun Valley's first chairlift started operation in 1936 an it brought skiing to the West in a powerful way, cementing world class skiing immediately. And to achieve this vision: Augustus Moser was commissioned to produce Posters advertising this Union Pacific Rail Service location, including this wonderful ski poster, that has become one of the most iconic ski posers anywhere. Ironically this Moser illustration happens to be one of Nicholas Lowry's (famed Swann Galleries) personal favorites, which is immense validation, as he's considered one of the world's leading poster specialists. (See Reference)