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The Patrolman – After 37 years, Big Sky Resort’s ski patrol director is hanging up his coat and cross

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During his first week of work ski patrolling at Montana’s Big Sky Resort in 1982, Bob Dixon was buried in two avalanches. He also saved someone’s life.

By that time, the 33-year-old had three years of patrolling experience under his belt, from working at Park City and Park West (now the Canyons) in Utah, and it appeared that he would need every ounce of it. That first season, there were only seven people on the Big Sky patrol, and the snowpack was unstable. On day one, Dixon responded to an avalanche in the area known as “The Bowl,” and wound up treating a skier with an open femur fracture. On day two, he was swept over a cliff by an avalanche and completely buried. And a few days later, Dixon was again buried in another slide, this time up to his neck.

 

(Many thanks to Cameron Lawrence for sharing:  “One of the great benefits (and there are many) of working on the Pro Ski Patrol at Big Sky Resort is working closely with Bob Dixon. He is truly one of the most interesting characters I have crossed paths with and, trust me, I have met many. This is a great profile of Bob who is retiring as the Patrol Director at Big Sky Resort, which is one of the most intense ski patrol environments in North America. Regardless of whether you love skiing you will enjoy this profile as it captures the story of a person who has lived one hell of an interesting life. Well done Bob!”)

 

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