Intro
Born and raised in Lake Dallas, Texas, Curt traded flatland for elevation 30 years ago and never looked back. He moved west to chase snow and purpose, earning his EMT certification and joining the ski patrol in his early twenties.
Today, he serves as a Lead Supervisor for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol, one of the most respected and extreme patrol units in the country. At a mountain known for steep lines, serious terrain, and real consequence, Curt is responsible for skier safety and avalanche mitigation.
When the snow melts, he follows the seasons, switching gears to guiding fly anglers all summer long. Curt lives freer than most. Calm under pressure. First in, last out. The kind of guy you want on the mountain when it matters. We’re proud to welcome him to the Turtlebox family.
Want to know what fuels long days on the mountain? Check out Curt’s Jackson Hole Ski Patrol playlist!
Q&A
What is your profession? And did you always know this is what you would end up doing, or was it something you stumbled into?
My jobs are ski patrol in the winter at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, fly fishing guide in the summer at WorldCast Anglers, and during the shoulder seasons I host trips in the Bahamas, Bolivia, and elsewhere. I’m also a host guide at Los Locos in Puerto San Carlos, BCS, Mexico. I would say since college I’ve stumbled into all the things that I get a check from, but it’s really hard calling any of these passions a job!
When you’re not doing your core pursuit, what else do you enjoy doing?
Taking my wife fishing, taking my daughter fishing, taking my dog fishing… you get the point! And riding bikes.
How do you incorporate music into your life?
I spend many hours in the truck, in the boat, and tying flies. I couldn’t imagine my life without music!
What does “Live Free” mean to you?
I’ve made choices in life that have kept me outside doing the things that I love, whether it’s fishing the great hatches in the West, skiing a line without a track in it, or wading a flat without a boat or person in sight!
Any guilty pleasures?
Key lime pie… and you’d have to ask my wife about the rest.
What’s your hottest take or most controversial opinion?
Being responsible with the number of fish pics, the grip-and-grins. Not every fish needs to be picked up out of the water and held.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you in the wild/on tour?
I don’t know about crazy, but just being outside and seeing all the life that’s out there. I mean, the biomass of life off Magdalena Bay — the whales, sea lions, porpoises, pelagics, bait balls — it’s insane!
Who is your favorite musical artist? Or what are you listening to right now?
I can’t be held down to just one, but subgenres of reggae and Americana Texas songwriters are what I listen to most.
Favorite Turtlebox speaker and why? How do you use it?
I like them all, of course, but I use the Ranger the most. It’s the most versatile and plenty loud!