Wesley “Wes” Deist

Equal parts inspirational mentor and tireless public servant, Wesley “Wes” Deist, born in 1923, stands tall among the giants of skiing in the Intermountain West. Deist willingly shared his love of skiing throughout his monumental 62-year tenure as coach of the KIFI and Kelly Canyon Ski Teams. Wes established ski schools, served as a certified ski instructor and examiner, was a board member of the Idaho Division of the U.S. Ski Association, and was a two-term president of the Intermountain Division of the USSA. As a prime mover in the development of skiing in the Idaho Falls Area, the one-time Golden Gloves boxer and elite Navy Seal during World War II coached with tough love while also being a counselor, chaperone, chauffeur, and tireless volunteer. Wes was the ultimate role model to his athletes.

His unique style of leadership was based on patience and integrity, traits he used to build the Idaho Falls junior racing ski team from scratch, and to operate a ski shop introducing thousands to the exhilaration of skiing. The 1972 Marc A. Strand award winner for outstanding service to the sport of skiing, Wesley “Wes” Deist’s legacy features a lifetime of inspirational leadership and service.