Photographing Park City Through the Lens of the Ski Patrol
Documenting activity on the slopes that lures outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.
Photo: Willie Maahs
Willie Maahs honed his “patrol eye,” the ability to focus on many aspects to ensure safety and security, while serving on the Park City Ski Patrol. For several years, Maahs took his camera along on his shifts, photographing the scenes of skiers and snowboarders in action. After the 2023 ski season ended, Maahs catalogued the photos he had accumulated. At the urging of friends, he formulated the idea to turn the photos into a book, giving them a permanent “place to live.”
The resulting publication is entitled, Patrol Eye: Ski Patrolling with a 35mm Camera. “I wrote the text, took all the photographs, and designed the book myself,” says Maahs. “The volume pays homage to the day-to-day life of the ski patroller past and present.”
Photo: Willie Maahs
With a 35 mm retro vibe, the first run of 600 books rapidly sold, and Maahs realized he was on to something. Readers learn about avalanche control, skiing in the dark with the snowcats, and providing emergency medical care. To date, 1100 copies have been sold. “The first and most important criteria for a ski patroller is a love for being out in the elements all day,” says Maahs. “Competence, skill, and the ability to bring calm and a sense of order to difficult situations is also crucial. Helping others is its own reward at the end of the day.”
Photo: Willie Maahs
The “proof of concept” that came with the success of his first book opened a Pandora’s Box of inspiration for a new book exploring other ski areas and ski patrols in the Mountain West. “A wide-ranging project that explores fresh terrain, the ethos of ski patrol work, and the perspective of patrollers of all ages telling “cowboy stories” of working the hills and sharing their skills is fascinating,” Maahs explains. “Exploring their passion and drive to work in the elements captivates readers of all ages. Ski patrolling is becoming refined and professional in ways that it wasn’t years ago. It’s fun to hear the stories different generations tell of its earlier iterations.”
Photo: Willie Maahs
A perfect gift for outdoor enthusiasts, the coffee table book can be purchased on Maahs’ website. In addition, prints of his photos are also available to order online. Says Maahs, “The photos in the book reflect the solitude of nature and the joy of reflection while featuring the beauty of the outdoors.”
