John Holland

John grew up in Yorktown Heights, NY where he founded the high school ski team and went on to a successful collegiate alpine racing career at New England College in Henniker, NH. After graduating college he returned to his roots in Yorktown and coached the high school ski team and XC/track team while beginning his career as a middle school teacher. In 1971 he came to Alta with the then owner of Hickory and Tweed Ski shop in Armonk NY. Ted Johnson had invited Jim Ross, out to look into the feasibility of opening a second shop at Snowbird as the resort prepared to open. Although the second shop never materialized, John was smitten by Alta and has returned every year since. In 1973 he arrived at Alta for Christmas break and shared with friends Bino, Toby, and Cassie Levitt that he was spending 6 weeks the following summer in East Africa. All 3 joined him along with 3 other NY/Alta friends on a trip that would create life long bonds.

John returned to Utah in the fall of 1976 to spend a year of graduate work at the University of Utah developing environmental curriculum while working at the Alta Lodge during the winter. In 2002 he collaborated with Robert Kennedy Jr. and the Riverkeeper to produce an instructional video for the Stroud Research Centers Leafpack Network. Over the years he has been on numerous forums and committees with a focus on protecting watersheds. Since 1990 he has been active in a number of environmental organizations in Weschester County NY including the Yorktown Land Trust, Teatown Lake Reservation and Wolf Conservation Center. John retired from teaching in 2004. John sold Green Mountain Running Camp this past year after 40 years as the founder/director. He presently lives full time in Lyndonville Vt.