Legacy Customer Profile: Williams Family

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Ski With Kim (SWK). Meaning Kim has skied with A LOT of people, in A LOT of places. Kim's passion is to share her love of skiing with others. As a tribute to the people who have made this dream possible year after year, we are highlighting some of Ski With Kim's most loyal customers.

For the second installment, Kim profiles the Williams Family who have been on over 20 trips with Kim since 2005.

Carolyn, Ted, Hank and Kate ~ Alyeska, Alaska 2008

Where did they hear about SWK: In the fall of 2004, Ted Williams suggested it was time to buy new ski gear to get fired up about the upcoming winter. His 51-year old wife Kate responded with “Oh no. Not me, I’m quitting….skiing bores me and I’m fat.” Ted replied, “You can’t quit! It’s what our family does together!” and went to work to find a way to ignite Kate’s ski fires again.

That’s when Ted discovered Ski with Kim Adventures on the internet and sent an oddly-willing Kate to Alta in February of 2005 to check me out. Ted was interested in the August Portillo trip, and wanted to know if I was the real deal.

Kate had a life changing experience at her first clinic. She re-learned how to ski, discovered yoga and found herself in a motivated, healthy, happier place.

“I met a whole community of amazing women and it’s been fun to reconnect at various Kim trips over the years,” says Kate.

Where have they skied with Kim? The Williams Family has skied with me in Alta several times, Aspen, Portillo Chile, Big Sky, Telluride, and Silverton and have Heli-skied in Alaska a bunch, with Chugach Powder Guides (CPG) and at the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge.

Most notable trips: One year in Alaska with CPG, it was storming hard and we couldn’t fly the helicopter so we went snow-cat skiing. The snow was so deep we got face shots every turn and our tracks were filled in every run. We had to help each other to maneuver around and if you fell someone had to pull you out. We couldn’t stop smiling, it was like being drugged on adrenalin, euphoria and powder.

Fun memories? I’ve been a part of the Williams family’s life for a long time. Watching Hank and Carolyn grow up to be kind, hard working, and motivated young professionals has been wonderful. It’s possible our time together influenced some of the choices they made. Not having my own kids, it means a lot to have that kind of connection. I love all four of them like family.

Kate and Ted after a big Powder day ~ Chugach Powder Guides, Alaska 2013

How has your connection/friendship with the family evolved over the years?

Hank and I have a special connection. He went to my Alma mater, the University of Colorado and loves to ski. We’ve had many conversations about the choices we make in life; following our heart and being happy verses chasing money. He has become a pilot and enjoys the variety of his life. We get to reconnect when he and his dad come ski with me. Last year in Silverton he crushed it and showed the rest of the group how it’s done. He is modest, quiet, considerate and funny. I’m proud to call him a friend and I love skiing with him.

Carolyn owns and runs Zephyr Cycling Studio in Bozeman, Montana. Inspired by her brother – Carolyn chose to follow a path of purpose, although anyone who owns their own business knows, it’s a lot of hard work. She credits Ski with Kim with helping her (a band geek at heart) discover her athleticism and love for being active and outside. Despite growing up on ski hills, she never appreciated the mountains and how much fun they could be until she skied with me. I’m looking forward to visiting her and having her kick my butt; payback for years of me kicking hers (especially after she’d had one too many Baja fogs at the Portillo bar the night before a powder day).

Katie has more energy than any person I know. When Kate is on a trip with me she goes out of her way to get to know everyone. She is gregarious, interested and caring. I like sharing my personal life with Kate because I know she truly cares about me and wants me to be happy.

How do you appreciate their support? It’s very rewarding to connect with a family like the Williamses. I love what I do because of the relationships I build. I never expected when I started this business 30 years ago that I would get back so much. This family has given back more than I could possibly express. To Ted, Kate, Hank and Carolyn… Thank you.

About Legacy Customers: Longtime clients are what keeps me coming back every year with a renewed desire to offer engaging, memorable trips year after year!