When Walter “Wally” Dobbs was inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame in 2012, he was the only inductee. Ski New Mexico, organizers of the event, usually induct two to four NM ski industry standouts.
Wally was special. Ask any of the 300 people who turned out that night to drink New Mexico wine and eat funky baked chicken and they will regale you with Mr. Wally stories, born of personal encounters with a Texas native who loved skiing in New Mexico and wasn’t shy about telling people about it all. You can also ask anyone who ever saw him in his Willys Wagon in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana and flagged him down to talk about skiing in New Mexico and, in particular, Red River.
He had many jobs at the Red River Ski Area but his years heading up the Ski School and as Marketing Director are considered a Golden Age.
His passing in July of 2015 brought many tears, but also many smiles as friends and fans shared endless stories about Mr. Wally.