On December 29th, on the verge of the new decade,聽 the skiing industry lost a legend. Bill Levitt, long-time mayor of Alta, Utah, and owner of the Alta Lodge, after collapsing in the ski area's dining room. He was 92.
It was in the , where he often held court, that I was fortunate to meet Levitt many years ago. I was in Utah on a press junket and meeting the amiable mayor of Alta was, of course, part of the agenda. Two things were obvious: Levitt loved skiing and loved Alta.
Levitt also fought to keep Alta small and quaint (read: out of the hands of developers) and to establish it as a true, hardcore skier's ski area–something that snowboarders like myself envy but that most everyone familiar with the area and its aesthetic respects. So while I'm rather late in offering a tribute to Levitt and condolences to his family and the Alta community (I just learned of his passing), I do so now.
Do you have memories of Levitt or comments about Alta (which 国产吃瓜黑料 rated North America's in 2008) that you'd like to share?聽 Please, share away…
—is a freelance writer, covering the environment, sustainability and outdoor recreation. The Good Route, her blog for 国产吃瓜黑料 Online, is focused on the places where the active life and sustainability merge.