Lift Line Legacy

Storytime – My connection to ski history starts with my grandfather, Captain Abbott "Bud" Phillips, a veteran from the 10th Mountain Division. During World War II, he fought in the Battle of Riva Ridge and was awarded a Bronze Star for saving the life of Pete Seibert, who would later go on to found Vail Ski Resort.

After returning home, he continued shaping ski culture by starting the ski school at Mad River Glen and helping build the first iteration of the Mad River Glen Single Chair—now recognized as the last operating single seater ski lift in the United States. That legacy is where my fascination with lifts began.

Today, I work as a lift operator in the Roaring Fork Valley, primarily with the Aspen Skiing Company. Outside of work, I channel that passion into art. I create tribute designs inspired by both historic and modern lifts, translating their stories into graphics for apparel like shirts, hats, and stickers.

I also explore this connection through metalwork, restoring old ski lift chairs into functional benches while preserving as much of their original structure as possible so each piece can continue to tell its story. Alongside this, I create smaller metal art pieces that celebrate and promote the culture and history of ski lifts.