Red Resort Renames Runs to Honor Local Legends

Red Resort recently announced that it is renaming two of its ski runs to formally recognize the contributions made by long-standing local residents to the development of skiing in Rossland. The first, called “Long Squaw,” will be renamed “Rino’s Run” in honor of Rino DeBiasio, who retired from the Red Resort volunteer ski patrol this past weekend after 50 years of continuous service. The second run, “Short Squaw,” will be renamed “Booty’s” in honor of pioneer skier Booty “The Old Trapper” Griffiths, who passed away last spring at the age of 89.

“We could not imagine a better way to recognize the outstanding contributions that these two gentlemen have made to the skiing community in Rossland than by naming these runs in their honor,” said Red Mountain Ventures President and CEO Howard Katkov. “They truly deserve this special recognition.”

Rino DeBiasio was born in Trail, British Columbia, in 1934, and started skiing at Red Resort at the age of 14. He joined the volunteer ski patrol in December of 1956, just eight years after Western Canada’s first chair lift went up on Red Mountain. DeBiasio has patrolled every year since then, dispensing first aid and good humor to many lucky individuals over that time. “He says he is retiring,” said Peter Crawford, head of the Red Resort Pro Patrol. “I still think he will pull a shift or two. He is too darn fit to give it up altogether.”

Booty Griffiths was born in 1916 in Big Eddy, British Columbia, and moved to Rossland in the 1930s. He was one of the first directors of the Red Mountain Ski Club, and started the first ski school at Red Resort. Booty also ran a ski shop for many years both in Rossland and at Red Resort. He is best known for building numerous back-country cabins in the mountains surrounding Rossland that are enjoyed to this day by many in the community. Booty skied his last run at Red in January 2005 at the age of 89. “His motto was: always leave them laughing,” said Booty’s wife, Sharon. “I can guarantee you that Booty is looking down on us now with a big smile on his face.”

Article provided by Red Resort.

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