Dave Elmquist

I joined the Showdown Patrol in the fall of 1985. My wife Colleen and I had just moved to Great Falls that January. All these years later, I look back at that as one of my good choices. I met some lifelong friends and made so many wonderful memories. I started back in the day of the beginner’s rope tow, the poma lift, the old top and bottom patrol shacks and long before the top rock or lower lodge addition. Things have changed a lot, but the people and the good spirit and vibe of Showdown holds steady. Not to mention the awesome powder.

My first impression of Showdown other than the great skiing, was the feel of a tight knit yet still welcoming group, and the Great Falls ski patrol was not just your average patrol. An early sign was when a few of our members tried out and qualified for the 1988 Olympic Ski Patrol. As I got more involved in the patrol I began to appreciate the patrol’s history and its leadership even more. I spent time on a couple of the patrol teams and served as Patrol Director before joining the infamous Team 2. By then the team had developed somewhat of a reputation. Two Team 2 members who were candidates with me 15 years earlier, Dirk Walden and Lizzard Shane wanted to show their team spirit and had a logo designed. It has been featured on annual team hats, stickers, T-shirts, and even a Team 2 flag. We were truly legends in our own minds.

Back in the 80s there was an after season party at (the old) Bob’s. I brought my guitar to play some Guy Clark and John Prine songs for some of the instructors that I’d been talking music with. Jim Gold was there and went back to his place, returned with his guitar and joined me playing while sitting on Bob’s pool table. We’ve been playing together as the We Ski Cousins ever since.

Thanks to Showdown for the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful people: Showdown’s Willett family, the instructors and hill employees. It feels like home to so many people for good reason. To us there’s no better place to go downhill.