Ray Heid

Ray Heid Man Behind the Duster

Ray Heid is a fourth generation local legend sharing stories of growing up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the early 1940s. His Pop owned a grocery store called the Boys' Market. They made deliveries to sheepherders' camps on the Continental Divide in vintage 1920 vehicles. He grew up competing as a four way skier and specialty big hill jumper traveling to all the big hills across the country in the 1950s from Lake Placid, New York to Leavenworth, Washington. He came of age surrounded by Olympic hopefuls, success stories, and several years as the head ski coach at the University of Wyoming. He spent twenty years involved in the ski business in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He went out on search and rescues and was in the sports retail business. Ray and his family returned to Colorado to run a guide and outfitting horse ranch outside of Steamboat Springs and over the years his passion for skiing and his life as a horseman have entwined. The mythical cowboy skier and his elk hide duster is promoted and seen as the western image in the Colorado High Country. His life stories entertain, and as an old man with authentic hard working country charm, he has reached legendary status as he continues to make a living riding horses and skiing for pleasure. He lives the dream on his ranch in the country surrounded by his horses, his children and their children.