The incredible story of Emily Coombs, who once helped pave the way for big-mountain skiing and now creates positive change by connecting Jackson Hole’s Latino community to skiing and climbing. Illustration: Alleli Tanghal
Anna Beninati, who lost her legs in a train accident at the age of 17, is now a top skier with the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah. PHOTO: Dave Obzansky
Klaus Obermeyer, from the “Soul Gallery,” a collection of profiles on seven charismatic people who established ski culture in the U.S., including Dave McCoy, Hugh Evans, Betsy Pratt, Bobbie Burns, Liam Fitzgerald, and Dick Dorworth. Photo: Scott Markewitz
Every year on his birthday, “Wild Bill” Bowen jumps into S&S Couloir at Jackson Hole. For this collection of profiles called “The Local,” I wanted to highlight the decisions ski town locals make in order to keep skiing and living in the mountains, and how those decisions may evolve at different times in their lives. The collection starts with a first-year rookie at Alta; then a 10-year Dirt Bag King and musician at Big Sky; a 20-year free spirit at Stevens Pass; a 25-year avalanche specialist at Copper; a 35-year Cookie Monster at Squaw; and Wild Bill, a 40-plus-year soul skier in Jackson. Photo: Mark Fisher
Elizabeth Lamphere created the International Avalanche Nest Egg (IAN Fund), a nonprofit to help families of avalanche victims, after her husband was killed in Colorado in 2013, leaving her alone with their then 8-month-old daughter. Her willingness to speak openly about the hard truths of avalanche fatalities has inspired hundreds of people throughout the skiing community. Photo: Trent Bona
As a skier living in Verbier, Ace Kvale helped establish what good skiing should look like back in the 1970s. Today, the photographer helps preserve wilderness in Southern Utah and documents efforts to cure blindness in third-world countries. He also has a pretty cool dog.
For three decades, Pelle Lang has been at the heart of La Grave’s steep skiing culture.
After he nearly lost his life in an avalanche, longtime TGR producer and creative mind Greg Epstein decided to run for local office as a way to give back. He now sits on the Teton County Board of Commissioners, where he tries to balance as many babies on his lap as he can, as well as the community’s many needs.
All I can say is, “F#ck yeah, Joe Turner!”