MEET THE FAMILY
Discovery has been owned and operated by the Pitcher family for nearly 30 years—long enough that our kids learned to ski here and now their kids are learning to ski here, too. And, we sincerely consider everyone who works here part of that family. To help you meet them, we'll be introducing various "family members" here and in our newsletter over the course of the season. If you see them around, be sure to return they're hearty hello and friendly smile.
Jim Ward, Ski Instructor
When it comes to learning how to ski, Jim Ward is the answer. From Belgrade Montana, Jim spent most of his life skiing at Bridger Bowl before moving to Moonlight Basin, and finally ending up here at Discovery. Lucky us!
Jim's passion for skiing is not only on the snow, but off. Jim also happens to be the mountain representative for Rossignol. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Jim has a degree in marketing from MSU, and is a video producer. He has been in the film business for twenty years, with over 300 hundred national and global advertisements, two Olympic ads, and even a Super Bowl ad. He loves filming big effects, with lots of weather elements. Jim has done just about every thing on this planet a speed demon and adrenaline junky would, but still says nothing beats the way he feels when he skis.
Jim's teaching style is different from most. While being a PSIA certified instructor, he believes skiing is all about the experience. If someone is not having fun on the snow, the chances of that person coming back are not great. "Whether you are three years old, or ninety three years old, it's all about the experience." He believes if you teach someone to have fun, they will get better from there. Adding a technical aspect to the lesson, Jim starts by teaching the proper stance. If a skier does not take an athletic stance, he or she won't be able to do anything right. Aside from the stance, he leaves all the technical jargon to more professional discussions and focuses on the easiest, simplest, quickest way to teach someone. "If you know how to walk, you know how to ski. You walk where you look, you ski where you look." Easy as pie!
Jim's passion, however, is for big mountain skiing. He loves jumping off cliffs, ripping down through chutes, and hitting real steep terrain. When given the opportunity, he'll help anyone excel at hitting every aspect of the mountain. "I like to make good skiers better skiers. I really get cranked up getting to help people."
If you are looking to learn the basics, or looking to hit some gnarly lines, come on up and give Jim Ward a shout!
Mike Sauer, Chef
Every wonder why our baked goods so completely rocked last year? Meet Mike Sauer. He's starting his second year as the Chef at Discovery Ski Area. Originally from Boston, Mike attended the prestigious Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI where he received an associate's degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and some additional education in culinary arts and food service management.
After working in the northeast at various restaurants, he met his wife Meredith a Montana native. They eventually decided to move to Meredith's home state and start the Philipsburg Café. Mike started with Discovery last ski season and brought his own twist to many of Discovery's favorites.
Since moving to Montana, Mike has steadily become an accomplished skier. "I spend most of my time on Center Stage and Orphan Girl, but on a good day there is no better place to be than the West Bowl," says Mike. This season, Mike's equally stoked about expanding the menu, including fresh baked goods, breakfast burritos and his signature pasties (you're welcome, Butte).
If you see Mike this winter, he'd love to talk golf at the Old Works or skiing the West Bowl. Just don't try prying our cookie recipe out of him. Ain't gonna happen.
