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and the SAO program had a position to fill—fast. Rauschke What’s Next?
was back at CMC, this time as an instructor. What is next for Rauschke, and for the program he’s shaped for so
“I had no intention of teaching,” Rauschke said. “It was many years? He is planning to do some work for nonprofit orga-
never on my radar.” nizations, consult on a limited basis, travel and, “after too long
Looking back, that unintended career choice was appar- a hiatus,” he said, return to playing the bass. And CMC will be
ently a good call, though he continued to stay involved in searching to fill Rauschke’s position.
the ski business. Through the years, he’s been a professional The program operates with two full-time ski area ops pro-
ski patroller; a member of the National Ski Patrol Board of fessors, supplemented by a number of adjunct faculty that round
Directors; and president, chair and educational liaison of the out the curriculum’s demands. The college is searching for ski
Rocky Mountain Lift Association. He worked at, and brought area industry professionals with EMT certification, on-mountain
students to work at, the World Alpine Championships in Vail experience, and PSIA level 8 skiing/riding ability who also have
in 1989 and 1999. And he has redesigned the Ski Cooper Ski at least one year of teaching experience. The position begins in
Patrol—all while teaching at CMC. August 2018; information is available at coloradomtn.edu.
“Paul is loved by the students,” said Rachel Pokrandt, There’s no question Rauschke’s position will be a challeng-
vice president of CMC and dean of the Leadville campus. ing one to fill. Terresa Herbst, CMC Leadville assistant dean of
“Students this year say that they know Paul is retiring, so instruction, said that Rauschke’s teaching style has served the
they want to spend as much time with him as possible before SAO program well.
his departure. The students truly recognize what an amazing “Paul is always trying new things,” Herbst said. “He thinks
resource of knowledge and mentoring they have in Paul.” about how students will understand information and changes up
the delivery.”
A Legacy, Around the World “Bear has guided my career and purpose in life,” said Chris
CMC’s ski ops alumni reflect the program’s effectiveness. Sutton, alumnus and fire battalion chief. “Whether it be the ski
There’s Neil Jackson, senior vice president at Resorts of industry, our fire district, or our nation on disaster incidents, it’s a
the Canadian Rockies in Calgary. Jeff Thompson, long- desire to serve, and to leave things better than you found them.”
time Beaver Creek ski patroller, avalanche dog trainer and
handler, and trails supervisor and forecaster for the US
Forest Service, is an alumnus too. So are Geoff “Salty”
and Allison Kohn Marriner, who recently finished work-
ing the Winter Olympics and the XII Paralympics in
PyeongChang, South Korea—Geoff as the mountain oper-
ations manager at Jeongseon Alpine Centre, and Allison as
a snowcat operator.
At times, studying ski area operations with Rauschke
has led to rewarding careers off the mountain. Alumni
Chris and Hannah Sutton both worked as ski patrollers and
trained rescue dogs at Copper Mountain and Beaver Creek
after CMC. Today Chris is a battalion fire chief and Hannah
is a certified flight registered nurse in Oregon.
According to Chris, “Paul used to say, ‘It’s SAO time.
If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re early, you’re on time.’
The program gave structure to my life.”
Jason Gusaas, SAO assistant professor at CMC, has seen
firsthand the effect Rauschke has on his students. “I have
heard students say things like, ‘I wanted to take classes from
Paul because I’ve heard how tough he is and I wanted that
challenge and quality education,’” said Gusaas. “Bear has
always held high standards in the classroom and has helped
mold numerous employees to the ski industry. He is hands
down the most knowledgeable individual on the subject of
ski area operations that I have ever met.”

CONVENTION 2018 | NSAA JOURNAL | 51