Kip Garre, 1973-2011 Tahoe Legend passes away

As Reported from BackcountryMagazine

Kip’s body was found yesterday, April 28, along with girlfriend Allison Kruetzen by a team of search-and-rescue and friends. Powdermag.com was first to report the tragedy, and confirmed that both were overdue returning from a trip to ski the Split Couloir south of Bishop, California. According to Powder’s interview with Robb Gaffney, a close friend of both Garre and Kruetzen who participated in the rescue, the two were likely hit while climbing the couloir by what Gaffney called, “a pretty powerful avalanche.”

Kip was a beloved friend of many Squaw employees, skiers, boarders and anyone else who knew him. Our hearts and prayers go out to anyone who knew him.
Kip’s Team page on Squaw.com shows his enthusiasm for Squaw Valley.

My Dream Day at Squaw: Patrol’s first bomb shakes the house and I roll over to see that the snow hasn’t stopped. Ingrid is singing about the amount of snow that fell last night while we gear up. Clicking into our skis on the deck my first turns are toward the stairs and down Wayne chute, at this point I notice that I can’t see across the valley to Squaw Creek which means it is snowing really really hard. Keeping my speed I make it most of the way up Lany and past the post office, skate through the parking lot to Wildflour’s for some Peets coffee and a bagel, Susan sneeks me a cookie for later and it’s off to Red Dog because it is snowing so hard that KT can’t open for a while. Red Dog to Far East laps in the trees. Giggling. I start laughing at everyone who is not skiing on Pontoons because there is no way they are having as much fun as me. I tell everyone on the lift how cool I am because I brought two Ski-gees today.I eat my chocolate chip cookie that I got earlier at Wildflours get off the lift just as ski patrol asks me if I would like to go up KT before it opens, “Yes, I would”. After my first bottomless run through Tom Days tree line I ski back to the KT lift and meet all my friends. I let them know about my amazing run as we load the lift and ski runs that fill in better and better each lap. Getting off KT for the last run of the day I spot a twenty dollar bill, I grab it before I make one last fingers lap and head straight to the Chamois where I find Alzy who has a cold beer waiting for me. Yea-Haw!

Many others who knew him have been sharing their thoughts and sadness via Facebook.

4FRNT Skis

Remembering Kip Garre. A great human has been tragically taken from the Tahoe community once again.

JP

I feel privileged to have known such a class act. RIP Kip. Shred in peace my friend.

Brendon

Kip Garre was one the nicest people I have ever met. He was an inspiration to the world and everyone he met, with the most giving and loving personalities. You will be more than missed! RIP

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