Meet Red River’s Walt Foley. He was honored October 21, 2016, by Ski New Mexico and the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame as Mountain Operations Director of the Year.
Seen here on the right with John Garcia, former NM Secretary of Economic Development and an avid supporter of skiing in the Land of Enchantment, Walt is the Deputy General Manager and Director of Mountain operations at the Red River Ski & Summer Area. Ski New Mexico gives awards annually for the Best of the Best in 4 categories: Operations, Customer Service, Ski Patrol and Ski Instructor.
Walt has over 30 years of experience in the ski area business. He first became a part of the Red River Ski Area family in 1992 and served in various capacities, including head of Ski Patrol. His desire is to see skiing as a fun and safe form of recreational entertainment.
It was Walt who made helmets mandatory for all RR Ski Patrollers, a move that saved the life of more than one patroller on the slopes. He is a campaigner for the Alpine skiing experience to be enjoyable and safe.
In 1999, he departed Red River for a ski industry job as Mountain Manager at Steven’s Pass in the state of Washington. He went on to serve as Environmental Coordinator at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and as Risk Manger and Ski Patrol Director at Angel Fire NM.
He was lured back to Red River in 2008 by long-time RRSA owner and eternal ski fanatic Drew Judycki. He took his place in the management team of RRSA as Deputy General Manager in 2010 and has been proactive in the development of the area.
His leadership and hands-on approach to summer projects in particular, such as the Pioneer Flyer Zip Line, have proved priceless.
He was also active in the creation of the first new in-bounds skiing terrain in 20 years, a large glade near Drop Off Trail, which offers more diversity in tree skiing to snowboarders and skiers alike.
Walt lives in the high country with wife Jennifer and son Ross. Ross is the youngest certified skier to become a member of the Red River Junior Ski Patrol.
Walt has been likened to the rabbit in the battery commercial: always on the go, moving easily and gracefully from duty to duty. During the Winter Season, he is on the slopes nearly every day and knows the mountain well as a valued friend.
ABOUT THE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1979, the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame was founded to honor the pioneers, the industry leaders, the competitors and the inspirational individuals who have contributed substantially to the development of skiing and snowboarding in New Mexico. Red River is honored to have five NM ski industry giants who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame: John and Judy Miller, Drew Judycki, Wally Dobbs and Sigi Klein.
