Longtime Red River Ski Area owner Judycki dies

Soon after he could walk, skiing was Drew Judycki’s guiding passion, so it’s fitting that he ended up owning a ski area. In a 1996 interview, Drew said, “This is the only thing I ever wanted to do — and I’m real fortunate to be able to do it.”
    Family, friends, neighbors and colleagues in the ski industry can celebrate the life of Andrew “Drew” D. Judycki 10 a.m., Saturday, June 28, at the Red River Ski Area Chalet on Pioneer Road in Red River.
Soon after he could walk, skiing was Drew Judycki’s guiding passion, so it’s fitting that he ended up owning a ski area. In a 1996 interview, Drew said, “This is the only thing I ever wanted to do — and I’m real fortunate to be able to do it.”
    Family, friends, neighbors and colleagues in the ski industry can celebrate the life of Andrew “Drew” D. Judycki 10 a.m., Saturday, June 28, at the Red River Ski Area Chalet on Pioneer Road in Red River.
    Drew, 60, a 35-year resident of Red River and owner of Red River Ski Area since 1984, died after a short illness Monday, May 26, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
    Drew was born in Greenfield, Mass., on Nov. 30, 1947, to Helen and Frank Judycki. He was raised in Athol, Mass., where his father taught many of the local children to ski including Drew and his brother Denny (Dennis). Drew later worked as a ski patroller there and after graduating from Athol High School in 1966, turned down football scholarship offers from Eastern schools to attend New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M., because he wanted to ski in the Rocky Mountains.
    He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1970 with a degree in journalism.
    Skiing was Drew’s guiding passion, though, and during his first year in college he found work as a ski patrol for Sipapu, and then worked as a ski instructor for Red River Ski Area. He joined PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) in 1968 and earned his Stage 1 (now Level 2) certification in 1971 and Stage 2 (now level 3) certification in 1973. After his college graduation, Drew worked for Red River Ski Area as a ski school supervisor for two years, then was a ski school director a year at Angel Fire Resort before returning to Red River Ski Area where he ultimately worked for more than 30 years as ski school director, marketing director, general manager and, finally, owner. Upon his death, Drew was sole owner, president, and general manager of Red River Ski Area.
    In addition to Drew’s 40-year affiliation with PSIA, Drew was a longtime member of Ski New Mexico and served as president more than once, most recently in 1998, and on its board of directors. Drew also hosted local schools’ ski programs year and year and was an avid supporter of the Red River Junior Racing Team (having served as its coach a one time) and the University of New Mexico Ski Team
    Recognizing that his ski area and local businesses were intertwined, Drew also contributed to the growth and success of Red River by serving on the board of directors of the Red River Chamber of Commerce, on several town committees, including the Economic Development Committee, and as a town councilor 1974-78.
    Skiing was not Drew’s only passion: He also loved riding motorcycles (dirt bikes and open road cruising), and visiting/reminiscing with old friends.
    His parents, Helen and Frank Judycki, of Athol precede Drew in death.
    He is survived by his daughter, Lauren Judycki-House and husband Tim House, and son, Linton Judycki – all of Red River; his brother Dennis, and sister-in-law Margaret of Annandale, Va., and their son Eric of Washington, DC.; his aunt and uncle Catherine and Anthony Judycki of Fitzwilliam, N.H.; and numerous cousins residing in New England.
    A prayer service for family and friends was held Tuesday, June 3, at Red River Ski Area’s Lift House. Drew asked to be cremated with his ashes brought home to Red River Ski Area.
    A memorial fund to benefit the University of New Mexico Ski Team and the Red River Ski Team has been established in Drew’s name at Peoples Bank, 121 E. Main Street, Red River, New Mexico 87558.
    A memorial scholarship fund has also been established in Drew’s name for Tau Kappa Epsilon undergraduates at New Mexico Highlands University.
   
    — Submitted by George Brooks, executive director of Ski New Mexico