Lift operator still passionate after nearly four decades

“Wild” Bill Packer started as a lift operator on Big Mountain in 1986. Since that time, his enthusiasm hasn’t waned a bit, as anyone can tell who has heard his energetic catchphrase: “It’s here! You’re on! You’re gone!”

Packer makes this announcement without fail as he diligently loads chair after chair at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

For the past three years, Packer has been a familiar presence at Chair 9-Easy Rider in the beginners area of the resort.

Packer’s passion started simply as a way to keep busy during the winters, when he had time off from seasonal work with the Forest Service. He said his wife encouraged him to pick up a winter job, and he always liked skiing, so lift operations were a natural fit.

He developed his famous tagline working on a chair that has faded into the mountain’s history. Wild Bill started telling skiers they were on and gone out of necessity during a stint on the old Chair 2.

Packer described the small lift — which loaded from the side — as nothing larger than a “postage stamp.” After numerous challenges loading the tricky chair, Packer started giving verbal cues to help skiers perfect their timing.

When Packer took a hiatus in New Mexico, his slogan stayed behind. Riders continued calling out “you’re on! You’re gone!” even though Packer wasn’t there to join in the chorus with them.

Packer finally returned to Whitefish in 2018 and picked up right back where he left off, albeit in a new location at Chair 9.

PACKER ATTRIBUTES his longevity at the mountain to the joy of helping budding skiers. His favorite part of the job is “to see a kid smile, like [when] they made a turn or they can get on the lift, they no longer need a boost.”

Packer takes pride in making the lift accessible to everyone, either through encouraging words or adjustments he makes as the chair approaches.

Over almost four decades, Packer has learned to pick up on the type of skis a guest is using, whether he’s seen a particular rider before and how they sit in the chair, in order to try to give each skier and boarder a positive experience on Chair 9.

Packer is careful to slow a chair down if it looks like someone needs a little more time, and he works hard to keep skiers calm after they lose a ski, drop a pole or experience another difficulty loading the lift.

“You have to pay attention,” he stressed.

His attention to detail has helped Packer form relationships with the riders who frequent Chair 9. He’s had the pleasure of watching skiers of all ages grow in skill and confidence, and some visitors appreciate Packer so much they have invited him over for dinner. The human connection he gets to experience on Chair 9 is the key to Packer’s zeal for the job.

“Every day is something new,” he said. “I meet people from all over the world.”

Although Packer undeniably loves his job, he has other passions too. When he isn’t bumping chairs, Packer likes to hunt, fish and chop wood. But he doesn’t have any immediate plans to trade in the chairlift for a fishing pole or an ax.

“After four decades, it’s still fun,” Packer said. “When it ceases to be fun, I’ll move on.”

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.