Sipapu ski resort co-founder passes away at age 98

VADITO, N.M. — Olive Bolander, the co-founder of Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort in northern New Mexico, has died at age 98.

Bolander’s family confirmed she passed away Saturday at her home in Vadito. Bolander lived not far from the resort that she and her husband, Lloyd, founded 74 years ago.

“My mom was an avid hiker and outdoor person. She climbed to the top of Jicarita Peak almost every year up to her 92nd birthday. One of her greatest joys was visiting with the people who frequented the resort. She will be missed,” son Bruce Bolander said.

In 1952, Olive and Lloyd Bolander opened with a “100-foot-long portable rope tow” on 13 acres of mountain property they purchased two years before. Lift tickets cost just 50 cents (equivalent to $6.37 today) when they opened.

Over the last 74 years, the resort has added lifts, trails,”hand-built slopeside lodging” and more. Although the couple retired from daily duties in 1984 and sold the resort in 2000, the family has continued to contribute to resort operations.

In honor of their contributions, Olive and Lloyd Bolander were inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame in 2004. Lloyd Bolander died in January 2014, preceding Olive in death.

“I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to know Lloyd and Olive. They were both so passionate about sharing their love of the sport. Olive was truly a pioneer of the ski industry. I speak for our staff and community when I say we are so grateful for what the Bolanders started,” Sipapu general manager John Paul Bradley said.

Olive is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, her son and daughter-in-law, three grandsons and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by the “countless employees, resort guests, friends, and neighbors whom she counted as family.”

A celebration of Olive’s life is set for Saturday, Dec. 12, from 2-4 p.m., at the Sipapu Lodge Day Room. All are welcome to attend.

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