Anybody who knew Steve Romeo knew that he despised summer. He wanted every month to be February. His passion for fresh snow percolated into every one of his actions and conversations. His “live to ski” energy resonated with friends, shop clients and the dedicated followers of his popular blog.

The Jackson based ski mountaineer and global blogger had the demeanor of the kid next-door, yet he attacked the backcountry like a snow leopard on the move. On March 8th, 2012, “Rando-Steve” died in a Class III avalanche on Ranger Peak in Grand Teton National Park.

Steve came to Jackson from the East, in 1993. He started out in Jackson as a lift operator at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and moved up through the ranks until he was head liftie. In the late 90s, he started a ski shop job at Skinny Skis that would continue for the rest of his life. In between customer service and tuning skis, Steve started the blog TetonAT.com, wherein Steve documented his adventures, gear and other ski-related events, videos and observations.

One of my last memories of Steve was his heroic efforts to help pro skier Eric Hjorleifson rivet a new buckle onto his modified TLT5’s. He personally went out of his way to pre-purchase the rivets, and take him into the back shop for a late night elf session. This desire to help, learn and breathe skiing is what made Steve Rando-Steve.

Steve Romeo lived to ski, and his life was lost doing it. The moment was tragic but the legacy will never be forgotten. Ranger Peak was then; Baffin was next and the heavens are today.