Comments on: A Skier Idiot. RIP Shane McConkey, Skiing’s Greatest Nut 1969-2009

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:03:24 +0000

Thanks for that. He was wildly admired in some far away places.

By: Iks

Iks — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:24:03 +0000

Dave, thank you so very much. I cannot say enough how your words affected me. You have honored a great man. And for that I praise you, sir.

Long live the Legend of Shane McConkey!!!! we are all richer for having him grace our lives.

-Drew

By: Lynnette

Lynnette — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:14:34 +0000

Beautifully written, Dave. I started following Shane when I was at the RSCVA and we were sponsoring him as our area skier. I watched in awe as he jumped from the Silver Legacy. Hard to believe someone who lived so big is gone.

By: Scottie Ewing

Scottie Ewing — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:57:03 +0000

Dave, Thanks for the written tribute through your eyes and experience. I wrote in my blog about some of the shenanigans and great times with Shane, but there’s too much to write, short of writing a short story book about all of the escapades many of us shared with Shane. His impact on so many is a tribute in itself.

Thanks for sharing,
Scottie Ewing

By: Martin Gastanaga

Martin Gastanaga — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:22:32 +0000

“Go back to the 80’s, more specifically that nexus point when a bunch of ski-racers all graduated high-school circa 1988. I met Shane for the first time via Matt Francis who grew up racing with Shane at Squaw and in their GMVS vs. Burke days. After spending the first 18 years of my life in Crested Butte, I accidentally ended up at the University of Nevada, Reno and was suddenly a Tahoe skier thrown in with Green Mountain Valley Schoolers Matt Francis (now my attorney and best friend), Dylan Westfeldt (friends since ‘83), Brant Moles and Chuck List along with Tahoe natives Martin Gastanaga (in business together since 1995) and Johnny Albrecht (now my brother-in-law). Matt went to GMVS with Adam Comey, Jeremy Nobis, Brant Moles, Chris Paulding, Jason Webster, Chuck List, Daron Rhalves, etc. Shane went to Burke Academy with many more of my racing friends from Crested Butte and abroad. The point? One of the most wonderful things about skiing is that there’s only one degree of separation between us, and Shane connected many of us together.”

Stories and time that I am so glad to have experienced. Thanks for this post Dave, you put a lot to a big picture of a big man.

R.I.P Shane

By: Greg Harshfield

Greg Harshfield — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:05:25 +0000

RIP!

By: Barb Hamblett

Barb Hamblett — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:30:41 +0000

Dave
Love this and am honored to be mentioned in this very classy tribute to Shane. Sounding like the old school mother hen that i now am, those really were the best of times. I will be sending love and light to all tomorrow, during the service…Hugs and kisses to Jess and the boys! Thank you!!!

By: Deb Darby Dudley

Deb Darby Dudley — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:14:25 +0000

David,

I have had the honor of knowing Shane but I thank you and your wonderful words for filling in the blanks and telling the whole story. My sons also found him to be an inspiration and we were all so proud to call him a friend. Just two weeks ago I was having Sushi at Mamasaki and Shane and entourage arrived. I did not wan to disturb his dinner but felt like I just had to say a quick hello as we exited. So glad I acted on that instinct. Just a few short days later Brenden my youngest son called me in tears from college in Denver to tell me he just heard Shane was gone. Both my boys met Shane as young Squaw Mighty Mites when he signed their helmets and inspired their skiing dreams. Shane continued to be an inspiration in all our lives when he so selflessly was the first to say “I am in” when we were looking for help with the Squaw Valley Institute “KT awards” – Shane brought the event “street credibility” gave a speech that was unforgettable and inspirational. His smile was always contagious and his aura glowing. He lit up the room, the mountain and the world with his spirit. Thanks for your illumination of that spirit in your words. – Deb Darby Dudley

By: Christian Dean

Christian Dean — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:02:48 +0000

Thanks Dave, for helping shed light on one of the best lives lived. Shane was a hero, friend, husband, father and absolute nutball. For every person who had ever met Shane or even witnessed his crazy antics on video or live, it couldn’t be missed that he was a man who loved life and lived it to its fullest extent. Shane will live on in every one of those kids lives, in every one of our memories and in every snowflake we get the good grace to ski. RIP Shane…one of a kind…

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:55:18 +0000

wow.. smiling and tearing up simultaneously.

well said Dave.

By: Linda Covington

Linda Covington — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:51:25 +0000

Dave, it seems no matter what you write about, it always brings a tear or two to my eyes-this time it brought buckets.

So sorry for the loss of your friend and for the pain your boys must be feeling. I am sure wherever Shane is now, he is still the ringleader.

By: Michael Landau

Michael Landau — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:24:01 +0000

Thanks David, for an inspiring story about friendship and passion. I met Shane only once and knew of his generosity and passion for skiing and life. I am deeply sadden that a friend of yours has passed. Hearing that your passion for skiing has been transformed due to Shane and looking through LoganCody eyes must be incredible.Y our writings are inspiring to others, just as Shane would only have it, so lets go have some fun.

By: Mick

Mick — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:57:42 +0000

Really well written. Thanks for sharing. I think the best part – and the part that says the most about Shane – is your kids “play Shane” on the trampoline.

By: Josh Kenzer

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:26:47 +0000

Dave, I’m sorry for your lost of such an old friend. I know you’ve lost a few friends to the passion of skiing and it’s always a conflict of emotions when someones dies doing what they love.

I know this isn’t just your loss but a wife and daughter’s loss, as well as a loss to an entire industry. My heart goes out to all.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:02:10 +0000

Wow! Thank you for a full insight and history into the life of one of skiing’s greatest athletes and “skier idiots” (in a positive way). You nailed Shane right on, as he would have wanted it. Squaw Valley will always have a special reputation because of him and his amazing antics. It was like his playground. Good take on why snowboarding took off for a while. I notice that young riders, male and female are coming back to skiing because of the equipment, the parks, and the new school exciting skiers. Great piece! Thanks.