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.
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.
Nov 27 2020
Nikki Champion: Outdoor Adventurer Helping Keep Backcountry Safe
From Mt. Rainier to Utah’s backcountry, Nikki Champion is the ultimate on-snow adventurer. Trading her Michigan roots for the Wasatch Mountains, Champion helps keep the backcountry safe as a forecaster for the Utah Avalanche Center. In the summertime, you’ll find her guiding on Denali or Mt. Rainier. Nikki shares her favorite lines, a mid-winter dinner plan and a couple of special Utah beers.
Nov 20 2020
Bryn Carey: Innovation for a Better Ski Vacation
Bryn Carey’s family move from Maine to Utah opened new doors for him. Today, his innovative Ski Butlers rental delivery service is revolutionizing ski vacations.
Oct 27 2020
John Cumming: Passion for Utah and Outdoors
John Cumming’s passion for the outdoors and focus on balance led him to become a successful national resort owner including Snowbird and Woodward Park City.
May 19 2020
Season Pause: A Fabulous Snow Season Cut Short
Without doubt, the 2019-20 ski and snowboard season was one for the record books - great snow, guests from around the world enjoying the Greatest Snow on Earth, restaurants and bars serving up the Ski Utah lifestyle. Then, it all came to a sudden pause on March 14.
Mar 10 2020
Mike Caldwell - Ogden’s Ski Town Mayor
On any given day, Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell will be riding his road bike to work, taking the mountain bike up onto nearby singletrack, slipping into a climbing harness, clicking into alpine touring gear for a backcountry outing or sliding onto a chairlift for an day at nearby Snowbasin, Nordic Valley or Powder Mountain.
Feb 25 2020
Randy Doyle - Brighton Ski Area
Randy Doyle literally grew up on the slopes of Brighton and has carried on the tradition of one of Utah’s most family-friendly resorts.
Feb 11 2020
Ron Baldis - Park City Powder Cats
Tom Kelly takes the Last Chair podcast to Park City Powder Cats, chatting with owner and guide Ron Baldis about how he found his way to the pristine mountain ranch and what makes cat skiing such a social experience.
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