Work hard, but play harder

Clay

The most important person to shape the Stevens Pass Culture in the last 20 years.   

Show up every day with the same attitude – “work hard but play harder”.

Clay was one of those natural leaders who shaped a culture.  Clay’s passion and focus for whatever he was doing at the moment, was infectious.  Whether conducting morning meetings, working harder than most, being in the right place at the right time all day every day, shaping patrol policy, or training rookie and veteran patrollers, his love for the mountains and life just glued to your skin. 

  

After a hard work week, while most were getting some needed rest; Clay was up early, backpack packed, and out the door – “free skiing”.  Clay was a master at working the spines of the steeps or searching for the perfect powder line.  “see ya at the bottom”. He didn't like to stop mid way through anything.  

This is what working hard but playing harder meant to Clay.  This infectious attitude shaped the Stevens Pass alpine culture by pure infusion of passion.  Everyone wanted to be like that.  You had to. In or order to rise to the level of the elite, the respected and the professional, you had to try and work and play like Clay.  Not too many of us could, but we tried, and that is how the amazing ski culture was shaped.  The Stevens Pass culture is firmly planted in the psyche of the mountain and will surely live on – thank you Clay.    See you at the bottom my friend.     

JM