Celebrating Stein, And Skiing

Dear Eriksen Family, Deer Valley Resort and Friends,

In February, you all invited me to participate in celebrating the historic life of Stein Eriksen. I did not have the opportunity to meet Stein in life, but I now have an intimate appreciation for his character and his legacy as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor and icon.  Over the past two months, I’ve reflected often on the amazing gathering we hosted at Deer Valley on February 4. I’d like you to indulge this reflection as my way of saying “thank you” for extending me the privilege of participating in the Stein Eriksen Celebration of Life.

Since that day in early February, I’ve snuck out for my share of ski days: solitary morning trysts up the Sultan lift seeking rejuvenation through bluebird corduroy and stormy adventures; “chairlift meetings” with out of town peers and partners sharing this amazing resort and my passion for skiing; and the ultra-precious time skiing with my family - my wife, Jamie, children, Dylan and Sadie, and a few extra special days with my mother and father. At some point during each of these outings, I was reminded of Stein - unloading at the top of Sultan, catching sight of the “Stein’s Way” sign and the expansive view of the Uintas and Jordanelle Reservoir beyond;  stopping for cocoa and freshly baked pretzels

at the Stein Eriksen Lodge and resting at the foot of Stein’s magnificent trophy case; or simply seeing one of Raymie Eriksen’s elegant commemorative pins adorning Deer Valley staff and guests of the Celebration of Life as they ski at the resort or wander around Park City. Stein’s legacy to the sport and culture of skiing is pervasive.

On January 1, 2016, when Bob Wheaton and Lessing Stern asked me to lead the Stein Eriksen Celebration of Life event at Deer Valley, I answered with a bold “Absolutely!”, but honestly felt scared and quite humbled. Having grown up in Maine as an enthusiastic young racer and weekend warrior, ski raced at Dartmouth College, managed PR at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, clawed up the ranks from intern to publisher of SKI and Skiing Magazines, and now working with Royal Street Corporation, I have a keen understanding of what legacy means in our beloved snow sports industry. Those experiences weighed heavily as I thought about creating a public celebration for one of the industry’s most iconic influencers and personalities.

Like any good event organizer, I met with all of the stakeholders: Eriksen family members and close friends, Deer Valley Resort management, and the Freestyle World Cup organizers and Deer Valley event management group to see how these two events might neatly join. Objectively, my goal was to provide a valuable experience to the attendees within the parameters of the Resort, Stein Eriksen Lodge, the World Cup events and the Eriksen Family. While taking in all of these details, I tried to navigate the emotions around the recent passing of a father, husband and friend and the logistical mandates of perhaps the most stringent sport governing body in the world.

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But, I’m not an event organizer. I’m a poet turned sales exec turned VC. I have a different way of looking at things.

I believe every valuable experience can be distilled down to a single raw emotion. One thing. At the core of the Stein Eriksen Celebration of Life, what was the one thing we wanted all participants to feel and remember? Through conversations with family and friends, the hours of film I culled through as the first 

step in producing a video and photo montage for the event, personal reflection observation of Deer Valley’s guests, one thing started to percolate. It was Stein’s seemingly unbridled elation at the opportunity to lead the life he lived - his passion for competition, instruction and education, alpine culture, resort building and obviously the relationships with family and friends that the sport cultivates. (What is a chairlift if not a catalyst for serendipity?) 

Joy was our one thing.

Through the world class service and experience of the Stein Eriksen Lodge staff, the creativity and tirelessness of Deer Valley Resort’s many departments and individuals, Tom Kelly’s heartfelt emcee-ing, Warren Miller Entertainment’s touching video segment, the words of Jim McConkey, Stephen Kircher, Rosemarie Bogner, Julianna Eriksen, and Bob Wheaton, Dylan Ferguson’s spectacular layout front flip, Deer Valley’s generous donation to 

the Stein Eriksen YSA Opportunity Endowment, the hundreds of Dale of Norway sweaters in the crowd and the literally thousands of friends, family and resort guests that participated in the event, I think we were able to share some of Stein’s joy on that day. Even better, we were able to guarantee his joy will persist for many generations of skiers to come.

I’ve received compliments and letters of appreciation for my part in the Stein Eriksen Celebration of Life and I’m grateful for that recognition. However, it’s me who is most thankful to all of you. Thank you for allowing a weekend warrior from Maine, a “reformed" ski racer, a fan of ski culture and history, and a husband, father and son help recognize the life and legacy of a great person and one of our sport’s most impactful figures. It was a  privilege to participate in the event and a pleasure to work with all of you. I will think of you, and him, often, especially as I fly as gracefully as possible down the slopes.

​Thank you.