Often described as a renaissance man and a visionary, Snowbird owner Dick Bass is one of the ski resort industry’s most dynamic and energetic personalities. In his own words, he was born with “blanket curiosity, nonstop verbosity, and hyper-enthusiasm.”

Such temperament and outlook have caused him to take a very broad cut at life, and have given him great interest and experience in many areas. He also has said that he picked his father very carefully, but didn’t go quite far enough West… to Fort Worth, Texas – home of the billionaire Bass family. He’s the “Bass from Dall-as”, as he likes to describes himself. And though his net worth may not stack up to that of the other Basses, he measures his wealth in adventures and in friendships.

Certainly, Snowbird has been a giant leap into the unknown for a geologist and rancher who had never developed any real estate or resort projects on his own. As if Snowbird’s evolution were not enough for anyone’s nervous system, energy and pocketbook, starting in May 1981 Dick played hooky from time to time over a period of four years to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents.

On April 30, 1985, he finally succeeded in his fourth attempt to scale Mt. Everest, and he became the first person to reach the seven continental highs, as well as the oldest by five years to summit Everest at age 55. (That last title fell in 1994 to a 60-year-old Venezuelan guitar maker.)

Snowbird has been Dick’s passion (along with his wife, Alice) for nearly 30 years, and it keeps evolving each year, toward his goal of creating a place for the enhancement of the “body, mind and spirit.” Just gaze on the mountain from a balcony window in The Cliff Lodge and you can see how well this place mingles with nature, and how Dick’s dream of the ultimate ski resort is being realized.

Through his many lectures from coast to coast, Dick is a constant inspiration to others. His story is one of overcoming adversity – in business and in life. If you read his book, “Seven Summits” (co-authored with the late Frank Wells and Rick Ridgeway), you can fully appreciate his robust approach to everything he does and his triumphs of the human spirit. (The book is available throughout Snowbird and at major bookstores across the country.)

Look for Dick on the mountain or around Snowbird Village. You will probably hear him before you see him. Just listen for a booming voice that is rich with Texas homilies and Shakespearean poetry, and you’ll find the man who has taken ”...the road less traveled.”