Freezing in a cramped trailer, shooting rabbits for dinner, slurping a gruel of ketchup and oyster crackers: Warren Miller’s early 20s would have been downright Dickensian if they weren’t so much fun.
In 1955, within only three months — and 30 days ahead of schedule — Mammoth Mountain erected a high-capacity double-chair lift that was 3,400 feet long with a vertical rise of 1,000 feet. The lift’s 86 double chairs, which were diesel-driven, carried 900 skiers an hour — at the time, the largest lift of its kind in the state.
McCoy also coached legions of hardcore ski competitors and young racers, some of whom made U.S. Olympic teams. Among them was Robin Morning, who is now writing a biography of McCoy titled “Tracks of Passion.” As the operation mushroomed into a full-scale resort, critics complained that McCoy spent too much time fine-tuning the mountain and not enough on improving local amenities. As a result, Mammoth struggled with a nagging image as an everyman’s “Sears, Roebuck” resort of cheap rooms and fast-food lunches.
At one point during the signing of more than 100 pages of documents believed to have brought him $80 million, McCoy openly wept.
Thanks Dave, so many awesome memories made on your mountain
Dave McCoy was a definition of what it used to mean to be an American. Just a small handful of anecdotes deemed safe for publishing.
I did not know he was still alive! Dave is part of Mammoth.
I feel like I grew up in Mammoth - I’ve been skiing there since I was six. My bother broke his leg there many years ago and Mr. McCoy sent him a personal letter telling him he hoped he’d back on the mountain soon. This is sad to see - but what a life he lead.
May he RIP
Oh wow, that is a sad day for all us California skiers. I never had the opportunity to meet him. But I spent many days over the last 40 plus years on his mountain. What a wonderful long life he lived. Condolences to his family.
Damn dude lived a looong life bless him