Michael “Toons” Bridgewater passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 5, 2025, after a courageous, years-long battle with lymphoma.
The son of a decorated 10th Mountain Division officer who fought throughout Italy in World War II, Mike grew up on the slopes—strapping into bear trap bindings and 7’ hickory skis on his grandparents’ New Hampshire farm. From the very beginning, skiing was his family’s greatest pursuit, and Mike’s dream was always to be a skier and dedicate his life to the industry.
While attending UVM, Mike spent seven summers working for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in the White Mountains hut system. During that time, he managed Tuckerman Ravine and the Lake of the Clouds Hut on Mount Washington. It was there he cut his teeth as a skier, making some of the most iconic turns on the East Coast—formative years that set the tone for the ski life he would go on to build. For Toons, Tuckerman became less of a job site and more of a personal playground, where he blended work, adventure, and passion in the way only he could.
After graduating from UVM, where he also played Division I soccer, Mike began ski patrolling in 1970 at Smugglers’ Notch (then known as Madonna Mountain). The following year he joined the Stowe patrol, became a National Ski Patrol member, and rose to ski and toboggan examiner. Around the same time, he began his long association with Rossignol as an area representative.
It was at Stowe that he earned the nickname “Toons,” which would follow him through life. As a rookie patrolman, he showed up one day in bright yellow Astro-Slalom boots—the infamous “banana boots.” His patrol director exclaimed, “Bridgewater, where did you get those [bleeping] pontoons?” The name stuck, shortened to “Toons,” and became part of his identity.
In 1976, Toons moved to Sugarbush, where he patrolled until 1979 before joining the Sigi Grottendorf Ski School. Over the years he held nearly every role possible—staff trainer, race director, and eventually Ski School Director at Glen Ellen (now Sugarbush – Mount Ellen). In 1981, he joined PSIA and completed registered, associate, and full certification in a single year. By 1985 he was on the Education Staff and spent summers teaching at La Parva and Portillo in Chile. For nearly a decade, he worked full-time on the road for PSIA-E as a trainer and examiner.
In 1992, Toons and his family moved west to Aspen/Snowmass, where he quickly became a leader within the ski schools of Aspen and PSIA-RM. His influence in both divisions was lasting and far-reaching. Among his many proud accomplishments:
- Elected by peers as a Snowmass team leader in his second year
- Head trainer for all certification programs at Aspen Skiing Company (1994–2002)
- Six years of service on the Alpine Committee for RM
- Active RM Examiner and peer-elected peer evaluator (two terms)
- Seven consecutive years as Eastern Education Staff Chairman and Zone 2 representative for PSIA-E
Toons also played an instrumental role in shaping the industry’s adoption of shaped ski technology. Alongside Rossignol Product Manager Randy Graves, and in collaboration with Bill Irwin and Elan, he helped pioneer ski teaching methodology for shaped skis. His work took him to Japan, France, South America, and across North America, consulting with ski schools, training retailers and ski techs, and presenting at industry shows. He contributed to Snow Country, SKI Magazine, and 32 Degrees, and served as a multi-year ski and boot tester.
More than anything, Toons realized the life of his dreams: a 45+ year career as a ski teacher and life-long PSIA examiner. He capped his career with unforgettable heli-ski trips in the Canadian Rockies with close friends.
Reflecting on his journey, Toons said:
“PSIA has provided amazing challenges for growth and a monumental responsibility for giving back to the organization and its members, who have enriched my life so much.”
Toons was known for his contagious enthusiasm, his tireless work ethic, and his ability to inspire. He was always among the first on the hill and the last in the locker room. His teaching not only advanced skiing but also encouraged countless colleagues and students to grow personally through the craft.
He was a lifelong resident of Warren, Vermont, with his wife Helen, who survives him. Their daughter Galen, who lives in Alaska, was by his and Helen’s sides in his final days.