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The Miss Coonskin Effect
RAYNA & PETER HALE

In the summer of 1978, a gal named Rayna moved to town and decided to learn to ski. At the Miss Coonskin Carnival at the Roma Bar and Restaurant, she met a ski bum named Peter Hale. The two started dating and in 1980, became the first couple to get married on the ski area. They have two daughters, Sara and Shelly, and are proud of the colorful life they’ve built in Telluride.

Among many other accomplishments, Rayna has created and conducted exercise classes throughout her time here. She led gymnastics seminars for 16 years and was involved in creating the original Telluride Athletic Club. Rayna is probably most recognized as the woman behind Smooth Moves. Smooth Moves is the exercise program she conceived and developed for fitness enthusiasts. The regimen follows everything from aerobics to spinning to stretching.

Peter is a hard-working, family man who loves skiing and the outdoors. Career-wise, he is an electrical wire lineman and actually worked on the installation of the Illium Valley power lines. In 1980, Peter was invited to help with developing of a cable system in Telluride. He also helped set up similar systems in Ophir and Mountain Village.

Rayna and Peter speak proudly of their daughters. “They were exceptional skiers from the beginning,” they admit. “Because of their skills, programs like Pre-TART’ (Telluride Alpine Racing Team) had to be created.” These days, Sara attends college at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She’s studying kinesiology—in her mother’s footsteps. Shelly is an aspiring fashion designer and is currently pursuing several schools. On account of her talents, she is the youngest designer involved with the Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show.

For recreation, the Hales are waterskiing addicts. They've owned five ski boats and are accomplished barefoot water-skiers, as well as slalom course experts. Much of their summer time is spent on Lake Powell and McPhee Reservoir. Of course, the Hale clan's first love is skiing on snow. Peter used to be a ski jumper and volunteered on a crew that has influenced two Olympic jumping events. These days, Rayna works with on-mountain security and is the housing director for the Telluride Ski & Golf Company, while Peter heads up Mountain Village’s digital Internet system.
A tried-and-true Telluride family, the Hales are passionate about this region. For over 26 years, Rayna and Peter have balanced work with play and are vital members of the community. It’s amusing to note that their contributions to the spirit and qualities of Telluride started at the old Miss Coonskin Carnival.