Mentor and inspiration to so many.
Always and forever—Skiing with the Big Boys
Stuart Duncan Campbell, 12/26/42 – 12/4/08
Stu’s Obituary
Author, skier, Vermont native, Stu Campbell, passed away December 4, 2008, at his home in Stowe after a 20 year battle with cancer. He was 65.
Known throughout the skiing world, Campbell fashioned a career from his own understated elegance, both on skis and with his ability to put words to the act of gliding on snow.
He grew up skiing in Bennington, Vermont, and was a 4-event ski racer (slalom; giant slalom; cross-country; ski jumping) while a student at Middlebury College. He graduated from Middlebury in 1964 with a BA in American Literature and received his master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Vermont in 1972.
Campbell taught English literature and coached skiing at Harwood Union High School and at the Valley Junior Racing Club from 1967-69 before settling in Stowe as Technical Director of the Sepp Ruschp Ski School. Campbell moved from Stowe to Heavenly Valley, California, in the late 1970s, where he served as Director of Skier Services. He oversaw Heavenly’s ski school, other skier services and a very active race department that hosted World Cup, professional and celebrity ski races. He spent more than a dozen winters at Heavenly (though during that time he continued to spend his summers, writing, in Stowe). He returned to Stowe full time in 1997 and led the development, construction and opening of The Country Club of Vermont, pursuing his late-in-life passion for the sport of golf.
Campbell’s extraordinary grasp of the technical elements of skiing and ski teaching led him to positions with the Professional Ski Instructors of America as a Demonstration Team member, as co-chairman of the Technical Committee and as an examiner with PSIA’s Eastern division.
But it was as a writer for Ski Magazine that Campbell mentored the greatest number of skiers. He served as Technical and Instruction Editor at Ski from the mid 1970s until his death, penning everything from illustrated quick tips to feature articles. “The art of skiing,” Campbell wrote in 1991, “is, ultimately, the search for sensation.” He encouraged the reader to use his skis “like a draftsman’s compass” to scribe arcs on snow. He saw skis as “tools for sculpting space on the tilt.”
Campbell also wrote ski instruction books, including Ski With the Big Boys, The Way to Ski, and, with Tim Petrick, Good Things to Know about Gliding on Snow.
Some of his Vermont neighbors knew him best for his books on gardening and alternative house design, including 1975’s Let it Rot!, which helped start the home composting movement, and The Underground House Book (1980). Campbell and his wife Carol West-Campbell lived for 28 years in a radically earth-bermed house in Stowe.
In September, the Vermont Ski Museum awarded Campbell the first Paul Robbins Ski Journalism Award for “lifetime commitment to ski journalism with ethics, humor and good taste. . .” He told the gathering at the museum to “get up on the mountain and make lots and lots and lots of turns. Every turn you make is good for the soul.”
He leaves behind his wife of 23years, Carol West, his mother Helen L. Campbell of Stowe, his brother Alan and his wife Heidi of Huntington, his daughter Cricket Kadoch and her husband Aaron of Bend, Oregon, and his son Gregory of Waterbury, along with 2 grandsons, Aiden Jacob Duncan and Joshua Stuart Asher, 3 nephews, Mason, Abbott and Owen Rachampbell and an aunt, Virginia Thomas of Bakersfield.
Services will be held at the Stowe Community Church on Monday, December 8th at 11:00am.
December 7th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Endless Winter and Bluebird Days for you, Stu, and peace for your family.
Bonni
December 7th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I am better for having spent time with him. My sincere condolences to all he left behind. Many people will feel his loss. Let us all try to remember his life. When last we spoke he said he was “making up for lost time.” For me, it’s hard to believe he had any “lost time”.
December 7th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Thanks, Stu…
–for the support when I was a young loudmouth instructor.
–for all the fun with you and Carol in New Zealand.
–for your contribution to all of us.
–your sage advice.
–your warm smile and twinkling eyes.
–our visits and motorcycle rides.
I have learned much from you about life on both sides, and am so grateful to know you and Carol.
December 7th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Stu was “the man”, the “Mr. Skiing” I’d see in SKI Magazine for years. When I had a question about skis or skiing, Joan Rostad referred me to Stu – she said he was the “gold standard” and that I should rely on what he said, and I did. I finally met him at Stowe, quite in awe. It took a few years of knowing Stu in person – quite an experience, because he was a celebrity to me – that we each figured out that we’d known each other years earlier at Middlebury College. He’ll always be “the man”, the “gold standard” in ski instruction, and his memory will live in every beautiful turn we make as a result of his coaching. Colleen and I send sincere and deepest condolences to Stu’s family.
December 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Stu was like a father to me,but better. I will miss him forever.RIP
December 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
My life is richer for having spent time with Stu. He will continue to inspire passion for skiing through the legacy he has left behind.
I am grateful for that.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Stu, thank you for your wisdom, grace, patience, and humility. You will always be an inspiration to me.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Stu brought honor to the profession of ski teaching. His influence lives on in the many people whose hearts he touched, whose minds he challenged, whose will he inspired. He made us better for having known him.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am
It was 1979 and I was in Jr. High. I was given a copy of Ski with the Big Boys. I won’t say it transformed my life, but it sure helped my skiing!
Thanks, Stu, for a lifetime of passion shared with so many.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:30 am
As I said, the last time I saw Stu out here at an FIS Event at Whistler, British Columbia, ” You will always be the voice in my head, as I ski down the slopes and strive to carve each turn ever more perfect.”
I wish I could have been as perfect as Stu !
December 8th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Stu’s father taught my father to ski. My father taught me and my sister to ski. We chose husbands who ski. I’ve moved near the mountains, and I am teaching my children to ski.
I should have been a ski instructor. For those of you who are and have learned from Stu, either on the snow or in life, please pass his legacy on to your students. Read everything you can get your hands on and share the passion of skiing with everyone you can.
Stu helped me purchase my first ski boots, taught me not to lick my lips on the mountain and the true meaning of “no friends on powder days”. He was a generous man, kind-hearted and determined. There is little in life better than skiing in his tracks and making those gorgeous turns. Unless it’s skiing with Carol, who can make the lift lines feel much shorter.
While he was faced with many challenges in life, he seems to have been one of the lucky ones who got paid for his passion. And in his case, I believe, more than one! I will continue to be inspired by him on and off the hill.
And you should all know on the day of his memorial, it is snowing in the Rockies. So GO SKI!
Thank you, Stu, for sharing your life with so many. You will be missed. My deepest sympathy to your mother, Carol, Cricket and Gregory, and all who loved you — including my father.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Stu had a talent for giving focused, technical ski technique advice in a few well-written or well-spoken sentences that any skier could understand. He was one of those guys that spoke and wrote via “gems” of information — stuff you would underline, write down, or remember afterwards. I loved reading Stu’s articles in SKI; his “don’ts” almost always pegged some aspect of my skiing that was not right, and his “do’s” would give the solution in a “eureka!” sort of approach. It seems odd to think that a magazine article could carry so much weight with a skier on the slopes, but Stu’s articles did. He will be missed, but his contribution to skiing will live on forever.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Stu
Our years together in CA changed my life. The opportunity to learn from you and with you was a priviledge. Alejandra and I are truely grateful that our paths crossed. We’ll be thinking of you everyday we make turns, for the rest of our lives…Rest well my friend….
December 8th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Today we held a funeral service for Stu. In a packed, standing room only church, family and friends said goodbye to our friend.
There were many tears, some laughter, all of us had reminiscences of events, words, thoughts with Stu.
The Stowe Ski School, respecting a request from Stu, turned out in Red Jackets….he dearly loved all Ski Instructors..called them ‘his people’.
I think many of us have very similar thoughts about Stu…when he spoke to you, no matter how rushed he was, no matter who you were, he made you feel as if you were the center of his world.
It is remarkable, how, even at this sad event, evoking Stu’s name brought smiles. We all have a favorite story about some incident involving him, many tales were told of his exploits!
The difficulty in sorting out emotions and feelings of loss, and writing about today is overwhelming, so I apologize for being somewhat disjointed in my writing…..
The thought of never again walking into the Mansfield Base Lodge, meeting up with Stu, slogging up Cardiac hill, and sliding down in fresh powder is heart-breaking.
My favorite piece of skiing advice from Stu….
“Ski quietly…ssshh”
December 8th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Keith, thanks for sharing about the funeral. I spent the morning here in Chicago thinking about Stu and could just imagine the feeling in that church in Vermont.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
every time i saw stu it brought a smile to my face were going to miss that guy
December 8th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Stu will be greatly missed by the skiing community. As a long time reader of his articles on Ski Magazine and as a member of the Epic Ski Academy, I had the distinct honor and privilege of meeting Stu and hearing him talk about his thoughts on skiing technique as well as his philosophical insights into skiing. Now, whenever I go to Stowe to ski, he will be always be in my thoughts.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Stu was a great man and an extraordinarily insightful coach. I will miss him.
Thank you Stu, for what you have done for our sport.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I wish I could have been in red today to share a story and some tears. Thank you Keith for passing on that visual. You’ll have to remind everyone to ski quietly, to leave the long leg long longer and other Stu-isms.
I’ll cherish every chair ride, turn and chat and hope that I can inspire at least a few as much as Stu inspired us.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I met Stu years ago. I was instantly a fan. I knew of him from his articles, but what is indelible in my memory was that his handshake immersed me. I felt as though I was the only one in the room and he was on a mission to get to know me regardless of how long it would take. An inspiring man indeed.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:40 am
I never met you but…
Until there will be someone remembering you and smiling
at the thought of you, you won’t be really gone.
Farewell.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:33 am
It’s just never going to be the same without Stu on the hill. One of the last times we skied together he was showing me some new ‘shaped’ techniques (gleaned from Mike Rogan, no doubt) and I was having a hard time getting it right. He was fine with it but I was SO disappointed. I felt like I’d let him down somehow. You just wanted to try SO HARD to please him (and I’m 50 freaking years old!). I think that was a big part of his gift, MAKING you want to do well for him.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I attended Stu’s memorial service yesterday in Stowe, and Ed Pitoniak in particular gave a great remembrance of Stu as his mythical older brother. That really hit home to me, as it did for many of the people in the Church. Stu not only showed many of us how to ski and teach, he also showed many of us how to be creative and actually support ourselves in this crazy business. His legacy I hope will be that many of us who were guided by him will become mentors to the youngsters of today. I took several runs at home last Friday, and felt Stu’s presence with me all the way.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Although we never met, when I started to learn to ski 5 seasons ago his Ski Magazine articles became a bible and having cut them out I refer to them over and over. Hopefully, someday I’ll become an Instuctor and be able to pass on his words of wisdom to another generation.
A man is measured by his deeds and how he is remembered after he has left us. Stu will be with us in spirt for some time to come as he has carved deep archs for us to follow……
December 10th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Words can’t express how sad this news is. Peace and ease to Stu’s family.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I met Stu back in Stowe Vermont in the 70’s. He was the only ski instructor I ever had that could explain things in a way I could relate to. Stu was the measure for all who came after, and noone else even cam close. Sunny powder days to you Stu…you brought skiing into the lives of so many.
Shirley
December 10th, 2008 at 10:55 am
My first contact with Stu, I believe, was at INTERSKI 1971 in Germany. We didn’t have any meaningful contact until I became the director of the Ski School at Mt. Snow, 1973. At that time, there was an abundance of foreign instructors in the school and only two PSIA certified instructors. I made the decision that instructors working in the USA should be encouraged to be certified in the USA, including myself. Stu, Peter Duke and gang came down to Mt Snow and the relationship began. I arranged for Stu and Peter to travel out to Banff to observe at one of our Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance spring courses and that exercise resulted in a long and continuing relationship between the CSIA and the PSIA.
Stu and I stayed in contact and our last happiest moments were as judges at the World Powder 8 Championships at Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing just two years ago.
We can all thank Stu for many memories and for all he did for skiing and ski instructors.
December 10th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHY….
WE SEND YOU STRENGHT , LOVE AND PEACE.
ON BEHALF OF MIKE WIEGELE HELICOPTER SKIING AND THE BRUDERSCHAFT ORGANIZATION OF BLUE RIVER BRITISH COLUMBIA,
CANADA.
ANDY AUFSCHNAITER
December 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I miss you, my friend. You accepted me so openly when we met, shared yourself and your knowledge generously, and made my life better by your presence in it.
Thank you. You will always live on in the hearts of those who know you.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Stu,
I will never forget you teaching me how to get across Lift Line Alley on a typical skating rink type of snow and how to set my edges into the ice so that I was able to head down Lift Line with confidence and enjoy the experience! I remember you as a Master’s of English, which I always felt made you an incredibly well-rounded kind of guy as a ski instructor. It has been many years since I last saw you, but I will never forget the things you taught me. May you find good skiing up there in the stars.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Stu we had good dinners at your underground home and I will always remember you and regret not keeping in touch over the years. You were one of the good guys.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thanks Stu for showing a young ski instructor all your secret spots at Heavenly and allowing me to overhear numerous pearls of wisdom as we skied together with clients. You and your contribution to skiing will be missed.
December 15th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
We had the extreme pleasure of meeting Stu at our first ESA at Stowe 3 years ago. I was in Stu’s group. The other few folks in our group were inclined towards 1/2 day skiing. They were headed to the spa at Stoweflake. My toes were killing me and my boots were a nightmare, but there was no way I was going to miss 2 afternoons of skiing ALONE with Stu Campbell. He skied behind me shouting encouragement and teaching each moment. I was in heaven. My big toe nails turned black and fell off several weeks later and I smiled through it all! One year later, upon returning to ESA at Stowe, we were greeted by Stu as he came to view our videos from class that day. Within 3 mins. of viewing my downhill run, he said, “Marcia, what is different with your stance?” Sure enough I had had heel lifts put into my boots. He simply said, “Take them out.” I was amazed he remembered ny stance and skiing from a year earlier with such clarity. But that was Stu. A gifted and magnificent educator, coach, and gentleman. What I gained from Stu as a skier was immeasurable. What he gave all of us, was truly a gift. Thank you, Stu. You are loved and remembered, always.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Stu Campbell was one of the nicest men ever put on this earth. He will be sorely missed.
Dave Auer
December 28th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I recall the early days of Stu’s writing in Ski magazine and the anticipation for the next issue, he was an inspiration to me and I wanted to teach and ski just like him. I’ve followed his career from afar and thank him for his wisdom and skills. Peace to his family
January 15th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
i’ve been taking ski lessons and clinics for 20 years, including the past 15 as a member of psia. i have met and skied with a lot of great skiers. but the greatest ski lessons i’ve ever had were with a man i never skied with, nor have ever met – stu campbell. every month when ski magazine arrived, stu’s words were the first read. and reread. and read again and again. all season long. and into the summer as well. it’s not that i couldn’t understand what he was writing about, it’s just that in the search for the perfect turn one turns as often as one can to someone who knows the secret, and is willing to share it. thanks for sharing, stu. the next turns i make are for you.
January 20th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Unfortunately, I just learned of Stu’s untimely passing. Stu was the instructor who really improved my skiing even at the age of 68. He helped me in all aspects of skiing from getting a good fit of the boots to selecting the right skis to developing the perfect arc in my turns. More importantly, his wonderful caring, enthusiasm, and love of people made him a delightful person to be around. I will always remember him. My wife Kathy and I send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Carol.
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 am
Stu and I were born on the same day the same year and found that out in a pub in Queenstown New Zealand on a Ski Trip I invited him to attend to write about the Ski facillities in New Zealand. We became instant friends. And I went from a beginning skier to an intermediate skier on that trip thanks to Stu’s teaching. The thing that impressed me and also worked for me was he would just quietly say “lets ride up the lift together” and than say “Think about this” and give pointers.
My wife Linda, son Joe and Daughter Debbie all got to know Stu and Carol very well, my daughter became a ski instructor working at Heavenly because of Stu’s encouragement and we all learned to Ski pretty well thanks to his teaching.
Linda and I stayed with Stu and Carol in Vermont two summers ago for a few days and did alot of catching up it was great to see them again after quite a few years. We loved Stu and will miss him. Our condolences to Carol and the rest of Stu’s family.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:20 am
Stu was instrumental in the foundation of my career in the ski industry. He mentored and challened me to pursue the highest level of ethics and professionalism along with understanding the many components of operating a ski resort.
Thanks Stu and “God Bless”
Jon (Grampy) Mahanna
August 26th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Back in the days when PSIA did not have reciprocity between the divisions, I had the honor of examining
Stu for his level III pin in the Far West Ski Instructor’s Association(now PSIA-W). Needles to say
he passed with flying colors!
Stu and Horst Abraham were good friends who led us through the discovery of the Skill Delevopment Concept which still froms the foundation of American teaching
over 30 years later.
Thank you Stu. Your legacy will live on.
October 26th, 2009 at 5:17 am
Stu had a clarity of purpose like few others and that was to help others become the best at what they aspired to be through trial and education. As a co member of the PSIA Eastern Demonstration Team Stu and I would often talk about the “turn”. Stu never cared how an individual made it, just that it happened through what ever means.
As when you teach a person to fish and thus feed them for a lifetime, when you teach a person to ski you introduce them to a lifestyle. The world in many small ways is a better place because Stu was here with us and cared to share his skills and knowledge.
I will miss him and indeed his legacy will live on!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I just learned of Stu’s passing today & I was sorry to hear this news!
I first met Stu during my PSIA certification exam held at Killington back in 1976. Both Stu & Peter Duke were involved in my certification process. I later would run into Stu at spring clinics in both California & Utah and where we would share thoughts about the good days skiing back in New England. Stu was a super person & I will miss him.
Jim Menei PSIA-I
January 12th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
The year was 1979. I was a skinny, fresh-faced ski instructor with a burning desire to become a full certified instructor. Stu was one of my examiners. Imagine my astonishment when we rode up the lift during the exam and we talked about our mutual love of literature – I was an English major and he was a former English teacher (also an English major) and a refined gentleman. He immediately settled my nervous soul. I never look at my level III pin without thinking about you. You did not know it that day – but your thumbs up opened many doors that shaped my life. Thanks Stu.