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About realvail Writers
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David O. Williams
David O. Williams: The O. Report

David O. Williams

The O. Report

realvail local since: June 21, 1991

David O. Williams was hired by the owner of the Vail Daily while standing around a keg of beer in the parking lot of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in the spring of 1991. Sports editor morphed into ski editor, then city editor, before Williams launched the competing Daily Trail in 1998.

When the Vail Daily bought the Trail in 2003, Williams struck out on his own as a freelancer. A regular columnist for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Williams’ work has appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Aspen Daily News, L.A. Weekly, Powder Magazine, Skiing Magazine, 5280 and United Hemispheres.

Williams is a founding member of the Vail-based Millennium Society, which funds a number of local charities. He and his wife Kristin, a Battle Mountain High School graduate and true Vail local, live in West Vail with their three boys, Nick, Max and Rennick.

Kristin Kenney Williams, a former journalist, is the founder and owner of Minturn-based Commfluent LLC, a public relations firm. RealVail is independent of Commfluent and its clients from an editorial and financial standpoint.

David O. Williams's Blog: The O. Report...

 

Articles by David O. Williams
 Headline  Section  Post Date
Speaker speculation: Dem Rep. Bernie Buescher could be the next head of the state House Real News Jul 21, 2008
Great White Shark Greg Norman swims in former glory at British Open Real Lives Jul 18, 2008
Vail Resorts, Forest Service launch aggressive plan to deal with aftermath of beetle epidemic Real Biz Jul 17, 2008
Salazar says ski-resort work visas stalled by immigration debate deadlock Real News Jul 13, 2008
Skyrocketing fuel costs putting squeeze on beetle-kill mitigation in Vail Real News Jul 9, 2008
Vail-area congressional candidate Fitz-Gerald questions opponent's fiscal restraint Real News Jul 9, 2008
Moderate Republicans say Buckleys should come clean about conservative blog EagleCountyTimes.com Real News Jul 7, 2008
May sees second lowest monthly total of Vail Valley real estate sales since 1996 Real Estate Jul 5, 2008
Vail Resorts, Forest Service officials kick off 'veg management' planning to battle beetles Real News Jul 5, 2008
Litany of Vail Valley tragedies underscores debate over personal responsibility in the wilderness Real Rhetoric Jul 1, 2008
Fuel load guarantees Vail wildfire will be like Yellowstone with houses Real News Jul 1, 2008
Funds for Vail Pass wildlife bridge run down by weak economy Real News Jun 24, 2008
Boulderite Polis has Vail ties; wants to represent resort valley in Congress Real News Jun 22, 2008
A closer look at state House race for Vail's district Real News Jun 17, 2008
Assessing Vail’s next presidential prospects Real Rhetoric Jun 17, 2008
Experts say federal funds for mountain rail to Vail likely tough to come by Real Biz Jun 15, 2008
American political picture could shape 2018 Colorado Olympic bid Real Sport Jun 11, 2008
Vail-area congressional candidate Shafroth says ending wars will free up funds Real News Jun 11, 2008
Mountain McPapers slurp up competition from Vail to Aspen Real Biz Jun 9, 2008
Are truckers the biggest problem on Vail Pass, Interstate 70 corridor? Real News Jun 6, 2008
SkiEO: Vail chief makes jump from Wall Street to Pearl Street Real Lives Jun 1, 2008
Landlocked in the Vail Valley means always looking for a sand fix Real Travel Jun 1, 2008
Kids help revive passion for past Vail mountain-biking ‘glory’ Real Kids Jun 1, 2008
Former Vail Chamber director Ferry to run Hasan campaign Real News May 28, 2008
Frequent Vail visitor Jerry Springer talks trash TV, political ambitions with realvail.com Real Lives May 21, 2008
Parents of boy sued in Beaver Creek ski accident look to change law Real News May 20, 2008
Pricey congressional race comes into focus following assembly in Denver Real News May 12, 2008
Eagle County steps in to hold down housing prices despite plummeting market nationwide Real Estate May 7, 2008
Ski towns struggle with labor crunch as immigrant crackdown continues Real News May 5, 2008
Raids by ICE agents have some Vail Valley residents on edge Real News May 1, 2008
Can Euro-style ski trains better connect Vail to Denver? Real News Apr 30, 2008
Marquez wants fellow superdelegates to declare their candidate Real News Apr 30, 2008
A memorable Memorial Day duathlon Real Kids Apr 30, 2008
Seasonal recreation, culture guide to Vail, Beaver Creek Resort Guides Apr 28, 2008
On edge: skiing with Phil Mickelson at Beaver Creek Real Lives Apr 27, 2008
I-70 toll derailed as mountain train gets a boost Real News Apr 25, 2008
Tree IVs inject controversy into battle over beetle kill Real News Apr 25, 2008
I-70 toll-gate debate raises stakes for mountain rail proponents Real News Apr 22, 2008
Should the Eagle County Airport re-brand as Vail International? Real Biz Apr 19, 2008
Carbondale an ominous early start to mountain wildfire season Real News Apr 18, 2008
County's high-end home sales still strong, but overall market lagging Real Estate Apr 16, 2008
Colorado ski towns look to Utah for cautionary beetle-kill tale Real News Apr 14, 2008
Ferry steps down as Vail Chamber director following 'riff-raff' comment Real Biz Apr 14, 2008
Moseley mute grabs some Olympic glory on memory lane Real Sport Apr 12, 2008
Ferry 'riff-raff' comments spark firestorm of controversy statewide Real Biz Apr 11, 2008
Epic Pass could cause epic headaches for Vail, critics say Real Biz Apr 8, 2008
Eagle County Republicans look to recapture former glory Real News Apr 7, 2008
Aviation pioneer Fossett remembered at Beaver Creek service Real Lives Mar 21, 2008
Spring break rocks the Rockies: a sampling of sizzling ski-town events Real A&E Mar 20, 2008
Vail's Vonn races into record books Real Sport Mar 11, 2008
Vail hopes to battle beetles chemically Real Biz Mar 2, 2008
Vails Vonn clinches World Cup downhill title Real Sport Feb 22, 2008
Scot Schmidt: still limiting his exposure after all these years Real Lives Feb 22, 2008
What does it take to be dubbed a 'longtime local'? Real Rhetoric Feb 21, 2008
Smokey on skis a hit with the kids Real Kids Feb 21, 2008
Eagle County woman gets 8 years for vehicular homicide Real News Feb 14, 2008
High-end mountain real estate still selling at record clip Real Estate Feb 13, 2008
Miller vs. Mahre: debating all-time ski-racing greatness Real Sport Feb 3, 2008
East Vail Chutes likely to remain open Real News Jan 28, 2008
Labor 'crisis' drives Timber Ridge project Real Biz Jan 28, 2008
The reverse commute: second homes in the city Real Estate Jan 26, 2008
Dr. Richard Steadman: an active legacy Real Lives Jan 22, 2008
Longtime Vail local returns to run the mountain Real Biz Jan 22, 2008
Miller breaks Mahre's U.S. World Cup victory mark Real Sport Jan 20, 2008
Giving more than just lip service to skier safety week Real Rhetoric Jan 17, 2008
Runner from Sudan gets second shot with surgery in Vail Real Sport Jan 12, 2008
Jensen will be missed, but all is not lost Real Rhetoric Jan 9, 2008
Multi-home trend supplanting second home ownership Real Estate Jan 9, 2008
Former Vail execs, managers lead Asian ski boom Real News Jan 5, 2008
The best and worst of the Vail Valley in 2007 Real Rhetoric Jan 3, 2008
New gondolas up and running at Beaver Creek Real News Dec 21, 2007
Chasing the bluebird Real Travel Dec 15, 2007
Some say it's high time to ditch High Noon Real Biz Dec 12, 2007
From stretch pants to riches Real Lives Dec 11, 2007
Sen. Salazar says future of skiing hinges on minority participation Real News Dec 11, 2007
Thomas Wolfe was wrong: you can go home again Real Rhetoric Dec 11, 2007
Retro Monarch Mountain shows an untamed side Real Travel Dec 10, 2007
Vonn fourth in Aspen downhill despite powdery conditions Real Sport Dec 9, 2007
By any other name, Vonn is still a champion Real Sport Dec 6, 2007
Austrians dominate Birds of Prey super-G Real Sport Dec 3, 2007
Ligety ties for fourth in GS won by Albrecht Real Sport Dec 2, 2007
Austrian Walchhofer wins Birds of Prey downhill Real Sport Nov 30, 2007
Miller fourth in Birds of Prey combined event Real Sport Nov 29, 2007
Miller, former teammates take his independence in stride Real Sport Nov 29, 2007
Miller or Maier: who owns the Birds of Prey? Real Sport Nov 28, 2007
The great Christmas tree hunt Real Kids Nov 28, 2007
Raising young ski-racing fans Real Kids Nov 27, 2007
‘N Sync with Ford Focus Real Biz Nov 20, 2007
Birds of Prey World Cup races still on track Real Sport Nov 18, 2007
Life on the run Real Estate Nov 17, 2007
Construction tax a nice surprise for new Vail Town Council Real News Nov 7, 2007
Vail’s Lindsey Vonn says healed knee is ready for World Cup season Real Sport Oct 26, 2007
Risk a relative thing in Colorado's high country Real Rhetoric Oct 24, 2007
Ski industry hopes to hit grand slam with World Series Real Biz Oct 24, 2007
Silverton Mountain: a long haul, but worth the journey Real Travel Oct 22, 2007
King George: Gillett a lasting local icon Real Lives Oct 21, 2007
Loveland loses race to be first, but opens with quality early-season conditions Real Sport Oct 19, 2007
Timber Ridge top concern for Vail Chamber Real Estate Oct 18, 2007
Hiker fortunate to keep toes, life Real News Oct 17, 2007
Vail council approves Lionshead development agreement Real Estate Sep 18, 2007
Menconi recall petition apparently falls short Real News Sep 18, 2007
Menconi recall bid stirs more bad political blood in Eagle County Real News Sep 17, 2007
Redevelopment concerns shape Vail Town Council debate Real News Sep 7, 2007
Debate starts to rage over Vail’s proposed construction tax Real News Sep 5, 2007
Vail Resorts battles to buy Canyons in Utah Real Biz Sep 4, 2007
‘Extremely peaceful, extremely high’ Real Biz Aug 4, 2007
Multi-dimensional man: Edwards' Walt Horton Real A&E Aug 4, 2007
The ripple effects of redevelopment Real Estate Jun 16, 2007
New kid on the block Real Estate Jun 15, 2007
Going for the trifecta Real News May 1, 2007
Busting a few ski-town, Vail Valley myths Real Rhetoric Apr 15, 2007
Remote and rowdy: heli-skiing Nevada's Ruby Mountains Real Travel Apr 3, 2007
Vail: world-class criminals only, please Real Rhetoric Mar 20, 2007
Tree hugging? Try tree bashing Real Sport Mar 11, 2007
The Alps vs The Rockies Real Travel Mar 10, 2007
Canyons a hidden gem on Park City side of the Wasatch Real Travel Jan 14, 2007
The Vail Valley: forever Ford country Real Rhetoric Jan 3, 2007
Beaver Creek alpine slide sparks legal brouhaha Real News Nov 21, 2006
Pine beetles gnawing nerves of ski industry Real Biz Nov 10, 2006
Nasty smear tactics mar ski-town politics Real News Oct 25, 2006
Beaver Creek Lodge: redefining slope-side luxury, amenities Real Lodging Oct 21, 2006
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek gets a bold new look Real Lodging Oct 6, 2006
New Vail Resorts CEO rides winds of change Real Biz Sep 20, 2006
Fun, comfort should drive gear decisions Real Sport Sep 4, 2006
Crossroads a MOPFOM (Money Pit Full of Memories) Real Rhetoric Aug 24, 2006
Vail revels in medal win for 'Awesome' Dawson' Real Lives Aug 3, 2006
Marc Philippon: hip doctor of the stars Real Sport Jun 15, 2006
Heli pilots take on twin demons of heat, height Real News Jun 12, 2006
Alpine alternatives: ice, air, water and poker Real A&E Apr 15, 2006
Fear and loathing in Torino Real Rhetoric Jan 25, 2006
Sarah Will: racing toward a bold new role Real Lives Dec 20, 2005
The edgier side of Aspen Real Sport Dec 15, 2005
Chris Anthony: Warren Miller's 'utility man' Real Lives Oct 14, 2005
Punishment and pampering at 14,000 feet Real Lodging Jul 15, 2005
Billy Mattison: Vail’s consummate raft guide Real Lives Jun 8, 2005
Winter hot air ballooning heats up in the hills Real A&E Jan 5, 2005
A critical mass of critters Real Rhetoric Nov 18, 2004
Dale Chihuly: rhapsody in Electric Blue Real A&E Aug 16, 2004
Patriotic pratfalls in paradise Real Rhetoric Aug 15, 2004
Ravinos legend, spirit lives on in Vail Valley Real Lives Jun 22, 2004
Arn Menconi: bringing powder to the people Real Lives Jun 3, 2004
Blog Entries by David O. Williams
 Headline  Post Date
Tough times for former Vail Valley officials in Steamboat Jul 23, 2008
Will Shafroth get a bounce as Polis, Fitz-Gerald go to blows? Jul 21, 2008
Greg Norman looks to make golf history at British Open Jul 19, 2008
No ESPY for Vail's Vonn ... but at least Danica didn't win Jul 18, 2008
Politics of parking in Vail get more tangled by the day Jul 16, 2008
Pastor Carl Walker retires with a simple message: 'I am for you' Jul 14, 2008
Kaye Ferry out as columnist at Vail Daily following Katz, Zemler piece on Boulder ties Jul 12, 2008
GOP bumps Runyon from ECO TV; Hasans contribute to Polis Jul 10, 2008
Gov. Ritter turns to Spain for renewable energy investment Jul 9, 2008
Packy Walker takes shot at Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz in Fourth of July parade Jul 5, 2008
Sen. Salazar says help is on the way on Vail Valley's most pressing issues Jul 2, 2008
Water ban evaporates, but Vail hockey tradition has new hope Jun 29, 2008
Water emergency in effect from Vail to Edwards Jun 27, 2008
Log chopper returns to skies over Vail Jun 25, 2008
Vail Mountaineer enters its first full week of existence Jun 24, 2008
U.S. Highway 6 near Vail: I was there for the opening ... I think Jun 23, 2008
Jeremy Bloom may make another run at Olympic skiing glory Jun 23, 2008
Tiger rumored to be returning to Vail area, this time for surgery, not skiing Jun 20, 2008
Vail Valley newspaper war set to heat up this week Jun 18, 2008
Vail's best-kept summer secret, Piney River Ranch, opens for the season Jun 17, 2008
Newt Gingrich brings his latest book to the Vail Valley Jun 16, 2008
Vail's Boyd has a long history of battling for boaters' rights Jun 12, 2008
Utah ski industry keeps relentlessly wooing Colorado ski media Jun 11, 2008
Conservative Vail-area blog calls for axing of commissioner Runyon's TV show Jun 10, 2008
Moab then and now: mountain-biking memories of an aging Vail ski bum Jun 9, 2008
CDOT agrees to consider mountain rail system, but will it realistically ever happen? Jun 6, 2008
Can Kaye Ferry keep writing her Vail Daily column and run Ali Hasan's campaign? Jun 3, 2008
Stop the presses! Vail Daily falsely claims to ‘break’ Gordon story Jun 2, 2008
Vail's Gordon 8 signatures short in commissioner petition bid May 30, 2008
Beaver Creek loses out on 2013 World Alpine Ski Championships May 29, 2008
Vail's other founder, Earl Eaton, dies at age 85 May 28, 2008
McAuliffe shouted down at Indy 500, FIS Congress in South Africa, and by Vail Town Council May 26, 2008
Powerful runoff has Vail Valley mountain rescue groups on alert May 24, 2008
Workforce housing a hot potato from Vail to Aspen May 22, 2008
Vail vandals publicly pilloried by Vail Town Council May 18, 2008
Will Vail Mountaineer bring a new edginess to the valley media scene? May 15, 2008
Vail marks a month without skiing but plenty of snow, calling fall snowmaking into question May 13, 2008
Endless Vail winter parallels seemingly ceaseless political season May 12, 2008
Grappling with rec center envy in Vail, and does anyone remember the Mountaineers? May 7, 2008
All aboard the Obama Express; Barack backs high-speed rail May 2, 2008
From Huffington Post to huffing powder, Vail is all over the Net Apr 30, 2008
Vail should take the lead on mountain rail system Apr 28, 2008
The O. Report throws its considerable weight behind Vail International Airport Apr 23, 2008
2007-08 officially the second snowiest season in Vail history Apr 17, 2008
The 2007-08 ski season was one for the record books Apr 14, 2008
Local riff-raff begs ski company to keep lifts going a couple more weeks Apr 11, 2008
Some of my best friends are Front Rangers Apr 9, 2008
New daily paper launching in Eagle County Apr 7, 2008
Vail Film Festival injects some culture into the end of the season Apr 5, 2008
Vail surpasses 400 inches as wet, heavy spring storm drops 2 feet Mar 31, 2008
Roll out the red carpet: The O. Report debuts on MSNBC.com Mar 26, 2008
Hand Ligety busted in Bormio gets fixed in Vail Mar 21, 2008
An epic season lost; an Epic Pass gained Mar 19, 2008
Bode disdainfully backs into second overall title Mar 14, 2008
Blog potpourri: Vail open house, sales slump, 2013 Worlds Mar 12, 2008
Vail's open house: part business, part social function Mar 10, 2008
Snowpack keeps getting deeper; beetle kill keeps getting worse Mar 7, 2008
Latest storm brings Vail within inches of its seasonal average Mar 2, 2008
Learning avy caution the hard way Feb 22, 2008
Matterhorn memories from the 2006 Winter Games Feb 15, 2008
Meltdown in Vail, but snow on the way Feb 14, 2008
Vonn triggers trip down Olympic memory lane Feb 11, 2008
Snow gods keep adding insult to injury Feb 6, 2008
'Money, it's gotta be the boots' Jan 31, 2008
Colorado license plates may no longer be green with envy Jan 25, 2008
Vonn, Miller making ski-racing history Jan 20, 2008
Stuck on the celeb desk Jan 17, 2008
Yes, man can ski without an ACL ... but we don't recommend it Jan 13, 2008
The anatomy of the hour-and-a-half ski day Jan 9, 2008
Epic conditions on Vail Mountain Jan 8, 2008
Snow keeps coming in wet wave after wave Jan 6, 2008
Storm dumps a half foot, with more on the way Jan 6, 2008
An accidental backcountry tourist Jan 3, 2008
Vail feeling festive under a foot of fresh snow Dec 31, 2007
Cold, snow expected to prevail through New Year's Day Dec 27, 2007
Merry Christmas and a powdery new year from realvail.com Dec 25, 2007
Realvail.com launches the season in style Dec 22, 2007
Realvail.com launch party kicks off the season tonight at Samana Dec 21, 2007
Vail Mountain holding up well a week after last significant storm Dec 19, 2007
Deep freeze keeps snow light, lines short Dec 16, 2007
Latest storm delayed but freshies keep falling in general Dec 14, 2007
Realvail.com celebrates 3 months of existence, launches slew of new reader-friendly features Dec 12, 2007
Perfect 10: my 10th day of the season a powder paradise Dec 9, 2007
Snow just keeps coming; Vail opens Chair 5 Dec 7, 2007
First major powder day of the season Dec 7, 2007
Vail in crosshairs of serious storm cycle Dec 6, 2007
Powder days, ski racing not necessarily mutually exclusive Dec 3, 2007
Bode kicks off skispace.com, brings big snow to the Beav' Dec 2, 2007
Black Diamond Ball produces record auction item Dec 1, 2007
Austrian Walchhofer breaks U.S. stranglehold on Birds of Prey Nov 30, 2007
Weekend feast of freshies headed our way Nov 30, 2007
Vail opens another lift, more terrain Nov 28, 2007
Fresh snow good news for skiers, bad news for racers Nov 28, 2007
Snow in the forecast for the rest of the week Nov 28, 2007
Beaver Creek offers quality ski product for kids despite lack of snow Nov 26, 2007
Beaver Creek opens with new family-friendly gondola Nov 23, 2007
Opening day made more interesting with a 4-year-old Nov 22, 2007
Storm finally deposits some white stuff Nov 21, 2007
Beaver Creek pushes back opening till Friday Nov 20, 2007
Metaphorically speaking, Vail like a virgin bride at the altar of the snow gods Nov 17, 2007
Warning, early-season conditions definitely do exist, seem likely to persist Nov 14, 2007
Resorts keep opening despite lack of November snow ... so far Nov 9, 2007
Vail quickly turns Wendy’s into Spendy’s Nov 8, 2007
Today’s election all about keeping Vail a ski ‘town’ Nov 6, 2007