Canyon Blog sat down (well stood around some field artillery actually) with the canyon’s newest master gunner, Margie V. Master gunners are responsible for overseeing the 105mm howitzers in the canyon that mitigate avalanche risk, and you owe them more than you might realize because that’s what allows Highway 210 to open when you want it to most.
As part of your correspondent’s continued feature of canyon leaders who happen to be female, there are few that are more respected. So, how’s one become a master gunner then? Read on.
Canyon Blog: Is this something you planned on doing when you were younger?
Margie V.: No. I first started at Snowbird in 1997 at the Cliff Lodge doing rentals and repairs. Mostly because I’d taken a year off college. It was a great job and we were all just kids, but you got to be up here and also meet famous people. And of course, ski.
CB: Not an intuitive connection to launching high explosives.
MV: Well, in 97 we had a terrible helo crash and also this bus avalanche incident and it was the first time I got to see ski patrol in action. They were amazing to watch and so cool.
CB: So you applied then?
MV: Oh, no. I became a mountain host by day, bartender by night. But was told I should apply to ski patrol because they were looking for females. Mongo (the then ski patrol director) asked me if I was afraid of explosives. So I told him, a little, because I’d never been around them.
CB: And that led to becoming a gunner?
MV: Oh, no. That led to becoming an avalanche dog handler. I was hooked on avi dogs and did that in addition to being ski patrol full time.
Sensing Canyon Blog’s struggle to follow the logic she cuts to the chase scene.
MV: I became an assistant gunner during the 15/16 season and then progressed to a loader, the next step. That’s a fun position because you get to check the math of the master gunner and assistant. It wasn’t till last year though that I became a master gunner. There’s a lot of math.
But that’s a bit of a disservice. Margie isn’t just the newest master gunner, she’s Snowbird’s artillery program manager, responsible for coordinating with the US Forest Service, who in turn coordinates with the military, who actually owns the howitzers. If that sounds confusing it’s because it is.
CB: So what’s the bottom line here on all this mountain, gun, dog and ski patrol stuff?
MV: Well, I love to shoot. And pushing the envelope on a daily basis as a ski patroller and dog handler is addictive. So, when you combine them it’s the best of all worlds.
CB: So, what’s next one wonders.
MV: Training the young kids.
With that she smiles and pats her howitzer affectionately.
Training the next generation is great answer and not surprising coming from one of the ski industry’s true leaders and accomplished humans. Thanks for keeping us all safe and on top of the snow Margie!