If there's one man who brought style to the slopes, it's Warren A. Miller.
The iconic ski filmmaker died on Wednesday at the age of 93 of natural causes at his home on Orcas Island, Wash.
He'd been making films for decades, earning him a following that spanned several generations of skiers and snowboarders.
For 60 years, Miller released an annual ski feature film to kick off each ski season and toured around the world showing the film.
It was his work that made prairie teens and mid-westerners pack up their things and head west to become a bonafide ski bum.
Of course, Miller was the original ski bum, camping out in his van, but in no way a slacker, producing more than 500 films that covered not only skiing but water sports such as surfing, sailing and more.
He was also a talented author and cartoonist, writing more than 1,200 columns and 11 books.
One of his most well-known quotes points to how he accomplished so much in one lifetime: "If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do."
Miller fought in World War II and later pursued skiing as an instructor and a racer.
He also dedicated time to training youth in entrepreneurial pursuits.
At 12 years of age, Miller purchased his first camera for 39 cents.
When he turned 15, he bought his first skis and bamboo poles for $2 from his paper route earnings.
He made his first ski film in 1944.
"This is a sad day during which we draw some comfort from the fact that Warren's legacy of adventure, freedom and humor carries on in the countless lives he touched," said Laurie Miller, his wife of 30 years. "Warren loved nothing more than sharing his life's adventures and hearing literally every day from friends old and new about how his stories inspired others to enrich and enjoy their own lives. All of us are better for knowing and loving Warren."
Line of Descent is the most recent Warren Miller film, released in December 2017.
Miller is survived by his wife, Laurie, his sons Scott (Melissa) and Kurt (Ali), by his daughter, Chris (David) and his stepson, Colin.
The family is requesting privacy at this time. In memory of Miller, the family encourages folks to ski a favourite run in his honour.
In lieu of gifts, the family's asking for donations to Warren Miller Performing Arts Center in Big Sky, Mont.
As Miller might say: “I’ll see you same time, same place next year, only I’ll be watching from a different mountaintop.”
