By Shannon Lukens.

 

Wes Richey is retiring as head of Ski Patrol for Steamboat Resort. Richey has been with the ski area for 46 years.

“46 years… I just turned 68. That’s kind of tradition. That’s how old John Kohnke was when he retired. And I was just ready. It’s been a long time. So, it’s time to just move aside and let somebody else take over.”

 

Richey started at Steamboat Resort back in the fall of 1978 at Priest Creek but moved on to Ski Patrol the next year. He met his wife, Dano, that first year. She also retired as ski patrol a few years ago.

“Who is your favorite ski patroller? My wife! She was patrol for maybe 38 years.”

 

Richey says he has never had to get a ride in a toboggan down the mountain but he has given a lot, too many to count.

We asked Richey about how many moose-bear encounters he has had.

“Uncountable, especially with the moose. We never used to have it in the 80s. The first time we saw a moose was actually, middle of the 80s, and a moose was there where Greenhorn Ranch is now. It went loping down the road. That was the first time. And then you just really never saw them a whole lot. But over the past 15 years or so, they’re all over the place, which is a good thing. But they’re kind of a pain because have to close runs and stuff because people want to take selfies with them, and that’s not a good thing.”

 

He says he will stay on part-time for a while, helping with the budget and then he’ll help train those who will be leading the slope maintenance team.

 

When he started, in 1978, Steamboat had about 30 ski patrols. Now there are 66 full-time patrollers, 20 part-time, and eight courtesy patrollers. Richey says he might continue as a ski patrol volunteer since his credentials are still active.

We asked what he’ll miss the most.

“I’m going to be happy not doing paperwork. The most I’m going to miss are the people, everybody I work with.”

 

Richey also says he and his wife will now do some traveling.