The Leonard family stands out in front of Ski Country Sports, the family business for over 30 years. The Leonard children have practically been on the property from birth. From left-to-right are Matt, Susan, Bill Carrie and Chris.
Growing Up Working Together F
Story by David Coulson • Photography by Ken Ketchie
Though the days are hectic, this tight-knit family still meets for or Bill Leonard of Ski Country Sports, family goes hand-indinner as often as possible, with just one rule. hand with business everywhere but at the dinner table. “We don’t talk about business at home,” said the elder Leonard. Leonard and his wife Susan worked side-by-side in building the family business, with their four children growing up “We all have our areas which we work with and we are all sounding boards for each other. They all still in the distinct surroundings across from come back and eat dinner almost every Sugar Mountain on N.C. Highway 184. Wednesday night.” Now over 30 years and many long Oldest son Billy, who also spent hours after opening their doors, three of much of his formative years roaming their four children, daughter Carrie and around those Ski Country Sports digs twin sons Chris and Matt, are adding and worked at the store through college, their flare to the business as the Leonhas moved on to the Bay Area and a job ard family has expanded from the ski with Google, but he remains close to the business into more summer recreational rest of the family and added to the clan fare, from whitewater rafting, to tubing, when he and his wife Hope celebrated caving and gem mining. the birth of twins nine months ago. You can even make a date for limouAll of that time spent together with sine service for that special day, or evefamily through the years is still evident ning event. on the days they are together at the shop, On a given spring, or summer day, eating dinner at the home of their parone, or more family members will work Ski Country Sports began construction ents, or talking to their brother Billy in along with other staff members taking on their building at the beginning of 1983 California using the Face Time applicareservations for tubing, rafting and cavern and opened in September. It’s located tion on the Leonard’s Mac computers. expeditions, while others will be organizacross the street from Sugar Mountain “I’ve been fortunate in my life,” ing bus travel, food and other logistics for with a wonderful view of the ski slopes. Bill Leonard said. “You work hard and excursions on the Watauga River, the Nolive right and hopefully things go your lichucky River and Worley’s Cave. August / September 2014
High Country Magazine
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