Randosteve pauses in spring 2009 in the northern Tetons near where he died March 7, 2012 in a slide.
Steve “Randosteve” “Randomeo” “Randobewan Skinobee” “X-Steve” Romeo, 40, of Jackson was caught in avalanche March 7 on the north side of Waterfalls Canyon near Ranger Peak in Grand Teton National Park. He was accompanied by fellow backcountry skier, Chris Onufer. Neither survived.
Steve was born in Manchester, Conn., and graduated from East Catholic High School in 1989. He graduated from Marist College in 1993 and, to follow his dream of skiing and upon his father’s suggestion, he packed his car and moved to Jackson Hole later that year. For the next six years he worked at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. He started as a lift operator and moved up through the ranks until he was a lead operator. During those seasons, Steve spent his time honing his ski style and technique. In 1998, he began working at Moosely Seconds in Moose, which soon evolved into year-round employment at Skinny Skis, where he worked for the next 14 years.
In addition to his pioneering backcountry ski descents, he was selected to be a member of the US Ski Mountaineering Team in 2006 and 2008. He competed in the world championships, which took him to Italy and Switzerland. To chase away the summertime blues, Steve would train for the ski season by competing in ultramarathons. His success in that area secured him additional industry sponsorships from Nike and La Sportiva.
In 2006, Steve launched TetonAT.com a “website dedicated to backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.” On TetonAT, Steve documented his adventures, provided cutting-edge gear reviews, followed trends and news in the backcountry ski industry and hosted a forum for passionate discussion about backcountry skiing ethics and exploits. TetonAT was visited by a national and international audience, often logging upwards of 10,000 hits per day. The inspiration the site provided to thousands is undeniable.
Due to the success of TetonAT and his ski exploits, Steve was sponsored by numerous outdoor industry companies, including Black Diamond, Dynafit, Arcteryx, Ortovox, GU, Suunto, Nuun, Mountain Khakis and even the sandwich shop across from Skinny Skis, Backcountry Provisions.
While Steve logged impressive ski descents in New Zealand, Antarctica, South America, Mexico and Europe, the Tetons were sacred to him, with the northern part of the range his sanctuary. It seems fitting that this was where he spent his final moments.
Steve is survived by his parents, Stephen and Elaine Romeo, of Tolland, Conn.; his sisters, Lisa Romeo, of Boston, and Jennifer Romeo Higgins of Lighthouse Point, Fla; along with his brother-in-law Michael Higgins and adoring nephew Michael Ryan and niece Brooke.
Steve was a skier. His well-known and oft-quoted mantra was “Live to ski”. For him, there were two seasons: winter and waiting for winter.
“My inspiration comes from the mountains themselves” he once said. “I love the silence, the wind, the sun, the ruggedness and contrast between the soft snow and the jagged rocks.”
Steve was truly an amazing individual. From the first day we met, and leading up to the many years and great adventures we shared together, he was always a pleasure to be in the company of. It’s been incredibly hard and strange to realize that he is no longer with us. If there is any consolation, it is in knowing that he lived his life to the fullest. I have been looking through my trove of old photographs from Steve and my adventures in the Tetons and Winds, and in every picture I have, Steve is smiling from ear to ear. His love of the mountains and adventurous spirit were truly contagious. It brings tears to my eyes, but also brings a bit of solace.
My heart goes out to the Romeo family- know that your son was truly one-of-a-kind, and loved by many. I will help to keep Steve’s spirit alive in all of the fond memories.
Rest in Peace Steve, you will not be forgotten. You are greatly missed.
Rando was a great man and an inspiration to many (me included). I recently made a donation to TCSAR in memory of Steve Romeo. I certainly don’t mean this to be insensitive, inconsiderate, premature, etc., but I was wondering if consideration has been given to auctioning off some of Rando’s gear with the proceeds going to a specific charity/organization. Seems like Rando would want that.
So sad! I follow his blog since years.
Christian
(Germany)
Our condolences to the Romeo family and the crew at Skinny Skis. We’ve enjoyed working with Steve over the years and following TetonAT. Jackson is dear to us and Steve was a huge and passionate part of the community there. We’ll miss that connection.
Bruce Edgerly
Backcountry Access, Inc. (BCA)
I did not know Steve Romeo and was unfamiliar with his exploits, but inadvertently discovered his blog posthumously. I met his college friend Scott while spring skiing at Jay Peak yesterday. It was apparent his buddy was grieving pretty hard and was missing his friend over this tragedy. My condolences to all who were close to Steve. And if you read this Scott…… drop me a line; I’m always looking for a skiing companion.
A great tribute to Steve and Chris.
Things keep moving on…and having the site updated is a wonderful memory.
Thank you.
I went to The Banff Mountain Film Festival this past weekend and while looking through program I notice a climber who recently summited Denali and was wearing a Teton AT Visor. It made me happy to see this image of a fellow mountaineer supporting Teton AT and I thought of Steve and how tickled he would be that his labor had paid off with a bit of free advertising. Recently I think about Steve almost everyday it seems like. Steve always looked out for me during my brief four years in Jackson. He always checked up on me after winter seasons to see if I had work line up for the summer and he always let me get first dibs on his hand-me-downs, feeding my gear habit. Steve always shared his experiences with me and I learned so much from him about alpinism and skiing. It hurts my heart not to think that when I visit Moosley Seconds in the summer on climbing trips that I won’t be able to hear him lament over the lack of snow. It’s wild to think that such a staple of the Jackson community and who to me was a mentor is gone.
Romeo, you are deeply missed.
Chris Leath
I sure miss steve. spring was the time for the steeps. I miss his april fools post. Were skiing for you.
I’m totally crushed right now. I’ve been down in patagonia for the last month and just gone on the site to see where Steve has been playing. I never new Steve personally but I have always enjoyed his passion for skiing, mountains and gear, and I will truly miss him…we have lost another mountain brother(s). Sometimes this makes us question the things we do…as we roll the dice, but what would we be without venturing in to the mountains. My condolences to Steve and chris’s families, friends and Steve’s coworkers at Skinnys.
I never met Steve, though I felt like I knew him well through his blog. I will truly miss his inspiring stories and am grieving like so many that the story will not continue to unfold. I just returned from skiing in Chamonix and completing the Haute Route. I chuckled when I ran into another american wearing a Live to Ski visor. Steve recently posted that he preferred more exotic location than the Alps. Though he chose not to travel there, his spirit was in the high mountains and the reminder was much appreciated. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Never met Steve, but he was the man. Always enjoyed reading about his adventures.
Steve- it was a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for inspiring my partner Travis. You saw his passion, & Motivations & welcomed him as a ski partner, although he was a boarder! I know people also criticize him!! I went on your web site very often, & was always amazed at your talent, passion, & perseverance!!! You were such a hero in my book!!!I will miss seeing you @ Moosley Seconds! You are a legend & a hero to me for working for search & rescue! I was so pissed that you got let go for documenting that avalanche on the Headwall! You would be the guy who I would of wanted to rescue me, if shot hit the fan! Anyway, please be our angel when we are climbing/ riding in the Tetons!!! You forever live on in the mountains! Peace brother!!!!
skied gannett peak this weekend…there would be no one more psyched to hear the trip report or give back stoke than you. you are certainly not forgotten and will continue to inspire.
I am reading and reading. Thank you all!! I am a VERY proud sister.
Been chillin’ in my new digs up in Alaska. Skiing lines Steve would love. Was driving back the other day and Pearl Jam came on the radio. Couldn’t help but think of Steve. He and that band will be forever linked in my mind. That’s a good thing.
Hey Steve,
Thanks so much for all the info and inspiration over the years. It has been almost a couple months since you passed on and I still find myself typing in the 1st letters to go to tetonat.com when I’m online and looking for what’s happening in the ski world. I wish you were still out there, getting in those last spring lines, and telling/showing us all what it was like. I bet I read close to every post you’ve written.
“Live to ski”, ski to live. You’re living on in our memories, little tips and stories you’ve shared with hundreds and thousands of us. You are certainly not forgotten, Steve Romeo.
Live to ski!