A Tribute to Late Mammoth Legend Bernie Rosow

All Images: Cody Mathison | Skier: Bernie Rosow

The passing of husband, father, friend and skier Bernie Rosow has left a devastating gap in the Mammoth Lakes community, sending shockwaves through the freeski world. Rosow was the embodiment of passion and vigor, having spent his life chasing winter around the globe, doing everything in his power to spend his time on snow with the people he loved.

At 45 years old, you could still find him gracefully painting big lines in the backcountry or spinning 7s in the Mammoth Unbound park, day in and day out. He lived and breathed the culture of freeskiing in a way that many of us can only aspire to. There's no other way to say it; he lived authentically, and that's something the world needs far more of.

FREESKIER is honored to share Rosow's obituary, as penned by his loved ones. Our thoughts extend to the entire Mammoth Lakes community. Through every turn, smile and chairlift ride we make, Bernie's spirit will live on.

Bernard (Bernie) Rosow died the morning of April 23, 2026, while hiking up Bloody Mountain in Mammoth Lakes, CA. The death was due to a cardiac issue. He was with friends, including his long time colleague Christian Pondella, doing what he loved to do. Bernie was 45 years old.

Bernie grew up in Williamsville, VT, beside Baker Brook. From the earliest age, he was rambunctious. Bernie learned to jump in a johnny jumper, and throughout his life he never let up. At age two, he started skiing beside his loyal dog, Potato. By age seven, Bernie was skiing in the Bill Koch League Nordic lollipop races. He was coached by Chris and Mary Osgood. They taught him to ski in balance and in rhythm, and they gave Bernie a strong foundation to build on.

Outdoors, Bernie always felt alive and free. He was at his best traveling with his family, paddling at Stonington, hiking in the White Mountains with his Uncle John, learning tricks on his bike. He had a knack for building arches and pillars with rocks. He grew up in harmony with the outdoors in all seasons.

As a youth, Bernie would wake up early, grab his skis and snow shovel, head down to a neighbor’s hill, build jumps, and ski and jump till dark. In his teenage years, he took up ski jumping and was coached and mentored by local legends Dana Zelenakas, Steve Squires, and Bernie Wells. They taught Bernie to fly. By the time Bernie left Vermont he had developed a natural grace and versatility on skis that was his lifelong trademark.

Bernie was noticed by Jeff Winterton while skiing at Stratton Mountain. Jeff was known for encouraging skiers to pursue the sport. He encouraged Bernie to head to Utah. Over two years, Bernie worked for, and was sent walking from, almost all the lodges in Alta. On powder days he preferred skiing over work.

It is mysterious how fate and life interact. Bernie heard about Mammoth Mountain and he headed there to pursue his dreams, arriving and living out of his beat-up Subaru. As an infant, Bernie’s first two word utterance was, “big truck.” Mammoth Mountain hired Bernie as a snowcat operator and that was the magic portal to his future. Operating a snowcat allowed Bernie to ski all day, then work from late afternoon to midnight. He would catch a little sleep, wake up in the dark filled with energy, and do it again and again, day after day, year after year. This basic lifestyle continued for the next 24 years. During warmer months, Bernie would chase snow across the world, traveling to South America, Japan, and Australia. At one point he skied for 36 months in a row. Everywhere he went, Bernie made friends and had adventures. Being a snowcat operator was his ticket to the life he loved.

It was during this time that he met Christian [Pondella], who was in the early stages of his epic career as an outdoor sports photographer. Some of these early photographs appeared in magazines such as Powder Magazine.

Bernie always returned to his home base in Mammoth. He came to know every nook and cranny of Mammoth Mountain and took great pride in his work. He enjoyed waking early to be first up the mountain on trails he had groomed the night before. Skiing trails and park, Bernie refined his skills. However, his true love was exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains, learning from trusted friends, and searching for new challenging lines to ski. Over time, Bernie became a true mountain man.

He introduced many of his peers to the high mountains and was respected not just for his skiing, but also for his knowledge and presence of mind in the mountains. He was often accompanied by Christian. Their partnership lasted decades. He also often headed out alone. As he aged, Bernie never let up. He grew into a world class skier. He always felt he was getting better. Bernie skied with a passion and love for the sport that drew others to him.

Bernie began to film his skiing adventures. He had a way with computers and technology. He taught himself to make and produce videos that he posted on social media. These postings gradually came to incorporate other aspects of his life including mountain biking, skateboarding, off-track motorcycle rides that took him deep into the desert, and adventures with his son Alexander. By the end of his life Bernie had a large and devoted following. This led to increasing sponsorships allowing him greater freedom and opportunities across the world. In particular, Oakley and Black Crows supported Bernie for years. On the Black Crows site, The Groomer Crow episode provides a beautiful look into the life and soul of Bernie.

Bernie hated school and loved learning. He was autodidactic by nature and curious about the world far beyond skiing. He read constantly and broadly. He was confident in his ability to learn new and complex things, including how to repair his snowmobile, his truck, and his computer. Skiing in Australia, he came upon a lost drone at a time when drones were new devices. He learned to program and use it to scout out ski runs, to navigate new and steep terrain, and to film himself from above. He developed deep knowledge of meteorology and could discuss weather patterns across the Sierras and around the world.

Bernie’s greatest accomplishment was being a dad. Bernie and his partner, Amber, raised their son in two worlds, one in LA where Amber lives and one in Mammoth. They figured out how to make this work, growing into an unconventional and loving family. Becoming a father helped Bernie grow into a deeper, kinder and more sensitive person. Bernie was commonly seen skiing with his family at Mammoth. He loved to head out with Alex in his truck and visit skate parks, bike parks, hiking trails, and ski areas. He loved working with Alex on his truck. He took great pride in how his son grew to love the same things he did. Bernie was a little kid in an adult body.

Bernie was also a wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend. He could be direct and harsh. He always spoke his mind not behind your back but to your face. Beneath that, he was a teddy bear. He treated everyone he met with openness and kindness. He was generous in helping others enter his world. There was no pretense about Bernie. He had close friends with people from all walks of life. He always showed up for family and friends in need. He was the same person to everyone, funny and compassionate. He loved bringing people into his world. He was an ambassador for Mammoth Mountain and a model for embracing life.

Bernie left behind his partner, Amber Feld, their eight-year-old son, Alexander, his mother, Barbara Lindsay Rosow, his brother, Daniel Rosow, his father, Bruce Rosow and stepmother Kate Conway, a host of other family members, and countless friends from around the world. He leaves behind a huge hole in the fabric of life. Bernie is deeply missed. Still, his spirit remains with us, inspiring us to live each day to the fullest.

There will be multiple events to honor Rosow in the near future for those who wish to attend. Ski Down for Bernie will be held at Mammoth Mountain on May 24, 2026. A celebration of life will also be held at Mammoth Mountain on June 13, 2026. In addition, a celebration of life will be held in Williamsville, Vermont on July 7, 2026.