Page 70 - NSAA_Fall2015Journal

Last Lift
Saying Goodbye
to an Industry Icon
Dick Bass 1929–2015
BY REBECCA W. AYERS, EDITOR
WHEN WORD SPREAD that Dick Bass, 85, had passed away
July 26 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, the sto-
ries started rolling in. Inevitably, the news set off a nationwide apparently he never trained for the climbs, which came as
exchange of anecdotes (and several here at the NSAA offices).
In 1971 Bass co-founded Snowbird Resort with part-
ner Ted Johnson, and in 1974 bought Johnson’s interest
to become the sole proprietor—a title he held for some 40
years. At various times in his life he held interests in Aspen,
Beaver Creek, and Vail ski resorts too.
He was an NSAA Lifetime Achievement Award win-
ner (2006), an inductee in the Intermountain Ski Hall of
Fame (2009), and even inspired Utah Gov. Gary Herbert to
honor his contributions to the state’s ski industry by declar-
ing “Dick Bass Day” in June 2014.
Bass’s ski industry celebrity is only one part of a larger-
than-life story. He was an entrepreneur in every sense—not
only as a ski resort developer and investor but also as a Texas
oilman, rancher, adventurer, and author.
Born in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 21, 1929, Bass moved
with his family to Dallas in 1932. He entered Yale as a fresh-
man at age 16 and studied geology, then attended graduate
school at the University of Texas to study petroleum engi-
neering. While there he was drafted to serve on a Navy air-
craft carrier during the Korean War.
After being discharged, Bass joined his family’s oil, gas,
and ranching businesses. He began skiing in Colorado in the
1950s and developed a deep love of the sport and the moun-
tain environment, leading to his involvement in the coun-
try’s growing ski industry. In building Snowbird Resort, Bass
realized his dream to provide others the opportunity to tap
into broader themes of human camaraderie and communion
with the great outdoors.
In 1985, accompanied by his friend and guide David
Breashears, the 55-year-old Bass famously summited Mount
Everest on his fourth attempt—a feat that distinguished him
as the first person to climb the highest peak on every conti-
nent and the oldest person, by five years, to climb Everest.
He even co-wrote a book about the experience, Seven Summits,
with his longtime climbing partner, Frank Wells (former
president of Warner Brothers and then Disney).
Although Bass was an avid skier and tennis player,
68 | NSAA JOURNAL | FALL 2015
Photo courtesy of Snowbird Resort
no surprise to those close to him. He was known to recite
the occasional line (or totality) of a poem to motivate oth-
ers, capture the moment, or teach a life lesson—whether in
a tony Dallas restaurant or in freezing temperatures on the
summit of a mountain.
One of his sons described him as having “boundless
enthusiasm, curiosity, and energy that was driven toward a
purpose of celebrating the human spirit.” Bass channeled
those qualities not only in his business ventures but also as
an aficionado of art and literature, amassing numerous trea-
sures over the years—including the stunning collection of
oriental rugs that adorn Snowbird’s lodge today.
Bass spent 43 years as Snowbird’s owner/developer and
chairman of the board before selling the family’s majority
interest in the resort to Ian Cummings of Park City-based
PowdrCorp in 2014.
Bob Bonar, who worked with Bass for 45 years at
Snowbird, said the resort’s evolution was Bass’s life’s work.
“Dick overcame much adversity to get Snowbird open and then
make it one of the world’s premier ski resorts,” Bonar said. “He
made time for anyone and, as a result, his personal connection
with people from all walks of life was remarkable. Everyone in
our industry seems to have a memorable Dick Bass story.”
Bass once said of himself, “I am not super strong, not
super smart, and not super courageous, but I am super curi-
ous and super enthusiastic”—attributes for which he’ll
always be remembered.
Bass is survived by his wife of 23 years, Alice Worsham
Aston Bass, four children from a previous marriage (Rita),
five stepchildren, and 13 grandchildren.