The mountain community in Utah lost one of its long time members earlier this week when Chris Aaron “Compton” Conway passed away in a motorcycle accident when leaving Little Cottonwood Canyon. I don’t have all the details, but from what I know Compton was attempting to pass a vehicle and hit an oncoming vehicle head on. There was a large fire and he was killed at the scene.
I have known Compton since my first year at Alta in 2001. We worked together at Alta at the GMD restaurant for 3 seasons and again at Snowbird later on. He was a guy with a passion for skiing, partying and generally having a good time. A guy that was a little rough around the edges, but a good friend to all those who got to spent time with him. I must have played 500 games of darts with him in those first few seasons after work in the restaurant. His brother Shawn Conway is also a good friend to many people in LCC and I wish him the best in his tough times ahead.
A few highlights that I can remember Compton being involved with over the years: night paintball fights in the trees at Alta, A short time ban from the Town of Alta for bootlegging in kegs for a going away party for a co-worker, lighting fireworks off the top of High Rustler in a very unofficial manner shortly after calling the restaurant to tell everyone to look up the hill, bringing a homemade drink he called EverGreen to parties and talking people into trying it with him, and most importantly for being a solid skier day in and day out for about the last 15 seasons in LCC. Compton, your smile and your stoked will be missed by many. Rock on brother…