If you’ve ever skied Alta, perhaps you’ve seen dozens of perfectly spooned ski tracks falling in a row across a slope. Those parallels of turns were “farmed” by Dave Van Dame, also known as “The Farmer.”
Van Dame is an icon at Alta, with his recognizable, sun-faded red Marmot jacket. Ever more recognizable are the farmed turns he leaves behind after a day of powder skiing. Van Dame’s dedication to his craft is featured in Episode 8 of Alta’s “Steeped in Tradition” video series. Check it out.
Steeped In Tradition Episode 8 – The Farmer from Alta Ski Area on Vimeo.
Here’s how Alta Ski Area describes one of their most famous and committed skiers:
Farmer Dave has perfected snow farming as a way to maximize his powder turns. To Dave, it’s also a physical mediation and an artform.
Dave and his wife live near the bus line which allows Dave access to his favorite ski area while minimizing his impact on the environment and simplifying his life and routine. His entire life, Dave has tried to minimize the resources that he uses. living by an old motto “waste not, want not.” Dave seems to have life figured out, trading in work time for playtime.
Some call him old-school, donning the same red jacket for the last few decades, but the most beautiful thing about Dave is that he is a true skier at heart, with an unabashed love for snow and the mountains. Dave has built a life that allows him to take in Alta’s stormy days, bluebird powder days and every day in-between and is a refreshing reminder that we are all here to ski.