From Jon Lamb’s daughters
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our father, Jon Lamb, on April 2. Jon left this world with his ski boots on, doing what he loved most in the beautiful resort town of Big Sky, Montana.
His family will remember him as a man passionate for the mountains. He instilled this love in his children, and it is something that they will be sure to carry into future generations.
In the summer, he would always come home just in time for dinner with dirt-covered hands, mountain bike gloves hanging out of his back pocket, and stories to tell of the trails he was building. During the winter months, he would bring the cold air in with him as the sky began to darken after being on the hill all day.
Jon is survived by his two daughters, Kelly Bittner and Carli Drexler, and three grandchildren, Cooper Bittner, Lydia Bittner, and Rory Drexler.
From Jon Lamb’s wife, Careen
Jon Lamb was born September 26, 1961, in Montreal, Canada. He would tell you that he was the product of one bad turn. His father had broken both his legs skiing at Jay Peak, and he convinced his then-girlfriend Lillian Ball to marry him because she felt sorry for him. One bad turn on skis brought him to us, and another bad turn on skis took him away.
As a young boy, Jon moved to Michigan with his family, where he fell in love with gravity-driven adventure. Jon became an adrenaline junkie early, skiing and biking on the tiny hills of Michigan. Jon got his varsity letter in skiing from Waterford Township High School. That jacket still hangs in his closet, because he was a packrat (you should see his rock, sorry fossil, collection).
Testing the waters of college, he lasted two semesters before realizing he was destined for a life of outdoor adventure and headed to the big mountains of Vermont in 1979. Jon spent many years adventuring in the Green Mountains. Whether it was catching the last chair on Ramshead to head out to Pins Only or crushing it to the top of Killington on the Tuesday night ride, when you were with Jon, it was always full send. There, he met his first wife, Cindy, and together, they raised their daughters, Carli and Kelly.
On April 21, 2009, he met his second wife, Careen Little, on the Superstar lift line, and Jon loved to joke that they met ‘online—the lift line, that is! Skiing spring laps and giving advice, being his normal charismatic, enthusiastic self, Careen fell in love and they became the best adventure buddies ever, even though she skied better than him. Just kidding, but not really. Their love was obvious and persistent, and in 2017, they moved across the country to Big Sky, Montana.
This move was the biggest adventure of their life. They found a place that both recognized and celebrated this enthusiastic couple. Their adventures took them from teaching skiing at Big Sky Resort to Whitefish and back again. Jon continued to share his passion and enthusiasm with everyone who crossed his path as an outdoor guide at Montage Big Sky. Jon’s enthusiasm was infectious, and to know Jon was to remember Jon. Whether on a mountain bike, his quiver of skis, snowshoes, a fishing pole in hand, or hunting petrified wood to share, Jon carried himself in a way you couldn’t help but gravitate towards.
Careen and Jon created a lifestyle full of happiness, love, and adventure. Whether tearing up the mountain or stalking trout in Yellowstone National Park camping in the teardrop camper, Jon had it dialed in. It is comforting to know that Jon died at the top of his game, in his boots, doing what he loved.
Jon is survived by his partner and darling wife of 16 years, Careen Little; his two daughters, Kelly Bittner and Carli Drexler; his two stepchildren, Cavan and Delaney Little; his beloved hound, Lucy Little-Lamb; his sister, Heidi Lamb, and three grandchildren, Cooper and Lydia Bittner and Rory Drexler. He is predeceased by his mother, Lillian Ferguson, his father, Graeme Lamb, and his brother, Stephen Lamb.
In the words of his sister, Heidi, Jon instilled a love for skiing, mountain biking, and the great outdoors in everyone who came into contact with him. Even as a kid, his passion for skiing shaped the lives of those around him. On the hills of his childhood mountain, Alpine Valley, Jon began his illustrious career of sharing his love of skiing, shaping Heidi’s life as she continues to carry on his legacy as a Lamb ski instructor.
There will be a celebration of life in Vermont on September 26, Jon’s birthday—details to follow. Please start thinking of your Jon stories now.
