When Patrick Fannon took his spouse Liz for a Tahoe ski weekend from their San Francisco home, "I thought it was magical," the Skis on the Run and Switchback Sports co-owner recalls. "My wife responded, 'That was fun, but we're going to Utah.' Three runs into my first PCMR trip, I thought, 'I'm never going back to Tahoe.' I haven't skied there in the 23 years since!"
Patrick met Ogden native Liz at St. Mary's, "and we were married at Deer Valley," he smiles. After starting a family in the Bay Area and building banking and consulting careers, Park City came shushing back into their dreams. "We wanted a different life," Patrick recalls. Acquiring Skis on the Run, Utah's original ski rental and delivery company, in 2002 "is the most important and the best decision we've ever made."
The couple added rental/delivery services and opened Switchback Sports in 2011, giving Parkites access to high-quality, affordable used gear. "Sports Authority had left town, and we saw the need," Patrick recalls.
"For us, defining success means being present in our family and maximizing our enjoyment of life with friends and experiences," Patrick says. "We love owning our business, and we love Park City! "
Patrick grew up "in a large Irish Catholic family," and today, the Fannons value a relaxed family atmosphere at work. "During our 'get to know you' game with seasonal staff, one question is, 'Name something people might not know about you.'" he says. The former banker loves to astonish with his own answer: "I love budgets, Excel and building spreadsheets," he laughs. "All the boring parts!"
But the Fannon's PC life is anything but dull. Fly fishing, pickleball and sharing PC Miners sports with family are among the moments they savor while basking in the unique Park City glow. "Rarely do you find a place where everyone has chosen to be here," Patrick marvels. "Parkites love our town!"
Learn more about Skis on the Run here.