Memories of Mike Browne

29th April 2022, by Dave Watts

Mike Browne with one of his three daughters. Pic: Facebook/tiffanybindon

Sadly, Mike Browne, the co-founder of Snow+Rock, passed away this week.

Mike built up Snow+Rock from scratch to be the leading ski gear retailer in the UK. He recruited a great team to work with him (including some talented, hard-working and crazy kiwis such as MD Dion Taylor).

I got to know Mike in the 1990s, after the ski accident in Sainte Foy in 1993 that left him paralysed from the waist down. Generously, he invited me on Snow+Rock’s infamous ski tests, where the staff burnt the candle at both ends, testing skis to destruction and partying till the early hours.

The last few tests were held in St Anton, where I skied with Mike a couple of times. But each time, he whizzed off fearlessly at supersonic speed on his sit-ski enjoying the powder and the bumps alike and leaving me in his trail. On the last evening of my last trip with him, he presented me with a lovely tie of his that I had admired of a tobogganing teddy bear – I still think of him every time I wear it.

He was also a great supporter of Where to Ski and Snowboard, advertising in it and sponsoring the Equipment chapter.

Mike will be mourned and sorely missed by all who knew him.

• ski
• snowboard
• mike browne
• snow+rock

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