Free Museum Admission in honor of Senior Mahoney. 

If you’ve never heard the name Bill “Senior” Mahoney, you have certainly still felt the impact of his work and life in Telluride. The ski runs you speed down and much of the community you live in were created or molded thanks to the drive and vision of this Telluride legend.

Born into a family of miners, Mahoney came to Telluride at age 4 with his two brothers and father. After growing up skiing down the streets of Telluride, as well as its vast backcountry, he would take his skis to work at the Idarado Mining Company and ski back to town. Long before Joseph Zoline came to Telluride, Mahoney assisted with early rope tows and runs.

Mahoney left his job as mine foreman to work with Zoline who identified Mahoney as the most knowledgeable in town, in terms of local skiable terrain. Zoline initially put Mahoney in charge of cutting and laying out the trails after they were designed by Émile Allais. Once the lifts were installed and the area in operation, Mahoney was responsible for the maintenance of the lifts, and construction and maintenance of the trails. He eventually became Vice President of Telski, and retired in 1993. 

Senior Mahoney enriched our town through his various roles as miner, ski area visionary, council man, and overall wonderful person. We celebrate his legacy on Senior Mahoney Day – August 12.