This Spring Bob and Ruth Wade were inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame. We are proud to share their story and celebrate the life they’ve built in our community.
Married in 1994, Bob and Ruth Wade have made a lasting impact on Aspen’s outdoor and athletic culture through their dedication, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. Both lifelong and accomplished athletes, you can find Bob and Ruth involved in local area events like the Grand Traverse, Nordic events, or uphill focused community gatherings. They have volunteered extensively with local organizations including ACES, the Independence Pass Foundation, Chris Klug Foundation, and Jaywalker Lodge.
Ruth, a former U.S. Ski Team member, was born and raised in Aspen. She helped launch the Aspen Cross Country Center, coinciding with the founding of the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System and Council by Bob and Olympian Craig Ward The Wades have been strong supporters of youth and school programs by providing seasonal rentals for the junior nordic and skimo programs, providing a scholarship for a graduating senior, and assisting with many aspects of Aspen School’s Outdoor Education trips.
Bob’s passion for the outdoors began with guiding whitewater trips in the Grand Canyon and grew to include rock climbing, eventually inspiring him to start a specialty outdoor retail store. After opening the Ute Mountaineer April 1st, 1977, he grew the business into a cornerstone of Aspen by providing a hand picked selection of outdoor equipment and investing in the local community through events like America’s Uphill, the Golden Leaf Half Marathon, and the Ute Mountaineer Nordic Race Series.
Ute Mountaineer carries on under the leadership and ownership of Bob’s daughter Maile. Maile honors Bob’s legacy while guiding the business into a new era for future generations of Aspen locals and outdoor explorers. Bob’s mantra of “We take care of the community that takes care of us.” is still alive and well at Ute Mountaineer.
Through all of these efforts and now with their induction into the Aspen Hall of Fame, Bob and Ruth Wade have cemented their place in Aspen’s history.
Cheers to you Bob and Ruth!