Dave Pilarowski, a longtime history teacher turned mountain safety attendant, recently completed an ambitious goal: skiing at every one of the 37 North American ski resorts operated by Vail Resorts on the Epic Pass.
Pilarowski has spent nearly 30 years teaching history, a passion that he combines with his love for skiing. Four years ago, while working at Keystone Resort, he decided to use his employee pass to ski at all the resorts in the Epic Pass network.
By the end of the 2023-24 season, Pilarowski had visited 27 resorts—about 75% of his goal. This past winter, he set out to conquer the final 10 ski areas, all located in the Northeast.
“The last 10 were all in the northeast,” Pilarowski said. “Starting with Eastern Pennsylvania, there’s Jack Frost, Big Boulder, and then Hunter Mountain in New York. Then there are seven in Vermont and New Hampshire.”
During his travels, Pilarowski enjoyed learning about local history, meeting new people, and experiencing the unique character of each resort. One highlight was Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont, near the Canadian border. Pilarowski praised Stowe for its excellent snow and rich history.
“That was my favorite out there,” he said. “It is sizable, has the best snow. Lots of history there too with the 10th Mountain Division and the von Trapp family from the ‘Sound of Music’ having a lodge out there.”
Stowe also boasts the nation’s first established ski patrol, many of whose members were part of the 10th Mountain Division—a connection Pilarowski noticed while walking over a covered bridge near a familiar statue of the division, similar to one at Vail.
Pilarowski also observed key differences in ski culture between the West and the Northeast. While western resorts typically operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., many eastern mountains stay open for night skiing, serving as popular social spots for locals after work.
“People get a few runs in on their way home from work,” he said. “It’s almost like a bowling league. Some places had big containers under the lifts for people to throw their empties into. It is fun to explore the ski culture across the continent.”
Another notable difference was the stronger sense of community around eastern ski hills. Despite Vail Resorts owning many mountains, these resorts often maintain a close-knit, independent feel, with regular visitors knowing each other well.
“There are more community ski hills out east,” Pilarowski said. “You get the regulars who show up all the time. I got the sense that a lot of people know each other, which also makes safety easier.”
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from his journey was a deeper understanding of regional snow conditions and trail ratings. Pilarowski said this firsthand experience helps him better serve guests as a mountain safety attendant.
“Most people are not used to a 3.5-mile run like Schoolmarm. They’re also not used to the elevation. The green, blue, black trail rating system really depends on the region. … That is an adjustment that people have to make,” he explained.
By completing his cross-continent ski quest, Pilarowski has not only fulfilled a personal dream but also gained knowledge and insight that enrich his role at Keystone, connecting history, culture, and skiing in a unique way.