Tom Kelly
Last Chair Podcast
There's something unique and personal about the culture of skiing in Utah. It's embodied in the stories of the people who bring you these amazing mountain destinations and the lifestyle that pervades them, from peak to peak and village to city. Last Chair: The Ski Utah Podcast brings those personalities to life in a series of insightful storytelling sessions with athletes, resort leaders and cultural icons as Last Chair host Tom Kelly weaves a fascinating storyline that brings you even closer to The Greatest Snow on Earth.
Jan 12 2022
Alf Engen: The Legend of Alta
As skiers, we’re drawn to legendary ski runs. Like the imposing rock face of Alf’s High Rustler that stands sentinel over Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Alta Ski Area. A quarter century since his passing, the legend of Alta icon Alf Engen lives on. Last Chair host Tom Kelly explores the life of the Norwegian immigrant who helped plan the original Alta and served as its director of skiing through tales from his son, Alan Engen. It’s a remarkable look into the early days of skiing and how the culture of Alta began.
Jan 6 2022
Katharina Schmitz: Future of Ski Lifts
What do ski lifts mean to skiers? Ask Doppelmayr USA President Katharina Schmitz and she’ll tell you ‘freedom.’ In this episode, Last Chair host Tom Kelly chats with the leader of Utah-based Doppelmayr USA to explore the evolution of ski lifts and future trends, not only at resorts but as a vital form of mountain and urban transportation.
Dec 17 2021
Kristen Ulmer: Embracing Fear
As skiers, we all know fear. Utah skier Kristen Ulmer decided to embrace it, leading to a pro career as one of the best big mountain skiers in the world.
Dec 7 2021
Tony Gill: Joy of the Backcountry
Cruising through knee deep powder in the peace and solitude of the Utah backcountry is pure joy. It’s alluring. It can also be dangerous if you are not well prepared. Journalist Tony Gill grew up skiing on 300-foot ski hills in the midwest. Today, you’ll find him on his telemark skis in the Utah backcountry. He’ll talk us through the joy of having a powder slope to yourself, as well as how to best prepare.
Nov 29 2021
James Niehues: Man Behind the Maps
James Niehues has spent three decades painting 100s of resorts and making mountains bigger than life on paper. We caught up with him to learn more about his fas
Nov 5 2021
Zane Holmquist: Active Lifestyle Chef
VP of food and beverage at The Stein Eriksen Lodge, Zane Holmquist, grew up in Utah and enjoys serving guests in his dining room just as much as the mountains.
Oct 28 2021
Jeremy Jones: Passion for Protecting Winter
Professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones was saddened by the shortening of the season and receding glaciers. So he took action & started Protect Our Winters in 07.
Oct 8 2021
Ted Ligety: Back Home in Utah
Over the past two decades, Utah native Ted Ligety has hopscotched across five continents every year, collecting World Cup crystal globes and Olympic gold medals.
Apr 9 2021
David Perry: A Sustainable Future
As skiers, we all have a responsibility to be good stewards of the mountains we ride. Sustainability is vital for our future. David Perry, one the ski industry’s most knowledgeable advocates for preservation of our mountain resources, sees a true sustainable future - if we can all work together!
Mar 25 2021
Kym Buttschardt: Ogden’s Ski Town Renaissance
A century ago Ogden was the crossroads of the west as a vital rail junction. Today, it’s revitalized as a ski town with 25th street downtown teeming with restaurants and bars, and the outdoor industry calling Ogden home. At the core of Ogden’s energization is Kym Buttschardt of Rooster’s Brewing Company, who lives and breathes her community.
Mar 10 2021
Sandy Melville: Silver to Slopes
A century and a half ago, Utah’s mountains were the home of boomtowns as silver mining flourished. Today, the same slopes that harbored valuable ore are the home of some of the worlds greatest ski resorts.
Mar 4 2021
Steve Sullivan: Stio - A Brand for the Mountain West
The outdoor adventure clothing brand Stio has been showing up more and more at Utah ski resorts. Founder Steve ‘Sulli’ Sullivan grew up in neighboring Colorado but spent a lot of time in Utah’s red rock desert and snow-covered mountains
Feb 25 2021
Jeremy Jones: Progressing Sport at Woodward
Founded as a gymnastics camp in the hills of Pennsylvania a half century ago, today the Woodward brand is bringing progression in sport for kids of all ages to snow-covered mountains across America. Last Chair visited the new Woodward Park City to catch up with freestyle skate and snowboard legend Jeremy Jones
Feb 17 2021
Chris McCandless: Little Cottonwood Via Gondola
Chris McCandless grew up in Little Cottonwood Canyon, dropping powder lines as a kid and hiking Mt. Superior in the summertime. It’s a place near and dear to his heart. Amidst a discussion on mountain transportation today, he has a vision - for a high speed gondola
Feb 9 2021
The Seeholzers: Family Story of Beaver Mountain
Utah’s Beaver Mountain dates back to its origins in 1937, the Seeholzer family has taken good care of the mountain near Logan, Utah.
Feb 2 2021
Greg Schirf: Evolution of Ski Town Breweries
Today we take ski town brew pubs for granted. Where did it all begin? Right here in Utah! Craft brewery visionary Greg Schirf started it all in 1985 with Wasatch Brewery in Park City.
Jan 20 2021
Lamont Joseph White: Skiing in Color
In this episode of Last Chair, artist Lamont Joseph White speaks about his pathway into the sport as a Black snowboarder and how he conveys his viewpoint through a stunning collection of original prints, Skiing in Color.
Jan 12 2021
Jim Steenburgh: Secrets of The Greatest Snow on Earth
Atmospheric science professor Jim Steenburgh is a good guy to know when you head to the mountains. He wrote the book: Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth and he’s ready to share some secrets.
Jan 4 2021
COVID-19: Innovating a New Approach to Service
After eight months of COVID restrictions, it’s quite liberating to stand atop a mountain and point your ski tips down into the powder. In this episode of Last Chair, we look at the pioneering innovations Ski Utah resorts have been making to get open, stay open and provide guests with a great and safe experience.
Dec 21 2020
Jodie Rogers: From Turkey Chili to Gooey Warm Cookies
Imagine feeding thousands of skiers at a dozen locations across five mountains every day? That’s the life of Jodie Rogers. An Australian skier who found Utah 25 years ago, Rogers brings a jovial spirit to her role as director of food and beverage for Deer Valley Resort.
Dec 8 2020
Chris Waddell: Tragedy to Opportunity
Lifelong skier and collegiate racer Chris Waddell was at the peak of his career when a skiing accident took away functionality of the lower half of his body. Just 362 days later, he was back on snow - this time in a monoski.
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