Meet David Van Dame: Alta’s Revered “Farmer”

"Farming is a term that's been used when people cultivate a resource to reach its full potential. I try to do the same thing with a field of snow. [That way], I can ski fresh powder all day long." - David Van Dame

For nearly half a century, Alta has been home to one of skiing’s most beloved legends: David Van Dame, better known as “Farmer Dave.” At 73 years old, Dave has spent 48 winters carving Alta’s slopes with a style so unique, it became his signature.

With his weathered red jacket, wool-knit hat and a frosted beard that seemed as permanent as the Wasatch peaks, Farmer Dave was easy to spot. His skis traced perfectly symmetrical, side-by-side lines down Alta’s powder fields, tracks that resembled plowed farmland and earned him his nickname. His signature skiing style mirrors his minimalist philosophy and the pure sense of escape he finds on the mountain.

“I tend to think of it as a physical meditation, where my body just repeats the same motions over and over again. I don’t have to think about the turn… they just seem to happen for me.”

Dave’s approach was simple: maximize time on the mountain with minimal effort. He retired in his thirties, pared life down to the essentials and devoted himself fully to skiing, sailing and adventure. On average, he logged 130 ski days a season, most of them right at Alta. Why? Because, as he put it, “Where I ski is one of the best places in the world.”

Alta’s claim to fame, “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” was all he needed. He even chose his home based on walking distance to the ski bus stop, part of what makes Salt Lake City unique: four world-class ski regions, all accessible from downtown.

Dave’s love for snow began as a teenager, when he’d make the long drive from Delaware to Hunter Mountain. He soon realized that living near the slopes was the only way to truly live the life he wanted. So in 1973, he packed up and moved west to Salt Lake City. He’s been skiing at Alta Resort ever since. His favorite days were the stormy ones, when the crowds hid in the lodge and the snow fell light, deep and endless. “To this day, it still excites me,” he said. “You have the feeling of floating, or actually flying at times.”

Farmer Dave’s farming method was born in the backcountry, skiing with a buddy on full downhill gear and surplus skins. They discovered that by laying tracks side by side, moving over just 18 inches each run, they could “harvest” powder lap after lap, without ever wasting fresh snow. They could ski the same hill all day, fresh powder every time.

In many ways, Farmer Dave embodied the soul of Alta itself: no-frills, all powder, pure passion. His story is a reminder that skiing isn’t about the gear or the hype. It’s about the snow and the simple joy of being out there, again and again and again.

Watch the video

RIP (Rest in Powder): David Van Dame passed away on October 17, 2021. In the words of Alta Ski Resort: “You are an artist and the mountain has been your canvas.” We hope his story by Sweetgrass Productions inspires you to find simplicity in your own life and in the magic of the mountains.

*Video courtesy of Alta Ski Area

Ready to ski untracked Alta powder? Let our Mountain Travel Experts craft your perfect trip and point you toward the legendary stashes of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Get your free quote today and start planning your powder days.