Ian Cruess

Ian was born in South Lake Tahoe, CA, and raised by a fashion designer and ski bum mountaineer. He clearly remembers gazing down at the Snoopy-adorned skis between the much larger skis of his father, at the age of two, on the slopes of Kirkwood. Growing up, Ian was surrounded by lots of color, art, textiles, outdoor gear, nature, and friendships anchored in outdoor activities. Straight out of high school, Ian carried his sense of service, adventure, and love of nature into his 13-year wildland firefighting career, performing arduous tasks with a Stihl MS460 chainsaw on firelines and sleeping beneath starry skies around the Western United States. Summer work supported his lifelong relationship with winter.

Since resigning as a McCall Smokejumper, Ian embraces every season by sitting, breathing, walking, hiking, running, biking, ice-skating, and backcountry skiing amidst the impeccable “Range of Light,” the Sierra Nevada. He resists the 9-5 lifestyle as a relationship coach, yoga instructor, and wedding officiant. Ian aims to find joy in every moment, living and leaving a legacy of love in his wake, and believes in finding and investing in gear that will last a lifetime, not just a season.