Our People | Rob "Moose" Ley
ROB "MOOSE" LEY
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to cross a ski bum, a bluegrass musician, and a garden enthusiast … meet Robert Ley.
Around the lodge, you’ll hear him called “Moose” ~ a nickname that stuck faster than duct tape on a down jacket. It happened on his second day at Mica, charging through nipple-deep snow during team beacon training, when a wide-eyed Aussie teammate blurted out, “He looks like a moose with those long legs!” Less than 24 hours later, the name was cemented for life (though outside of Mica, no one knows who “Moose” is).
Rob has been part of the Mica team for over six years, working year-round as our Ski Tech and Maintenance support, though his role is far more than keeping our gear dialed and putting guests on the perfect skis or boards. He’s the behind-the-scenes guest experience magician making sure our ski program runs flawlessly from the lodge, supporting guides, maintenance, the kitchen, and the lodge manager. He fixes gloves, stitches jackets, and somehow keeps the day moving in orderly fashion while also facilitating “good times” for everyone. Whether it’s a hardcore heliskier chasing the steep and deep or a guest who needs a hand with every piece of gear, Rob’s mission is simple: improve quality of life for anyone chasing mountain joy.
FROM LIVELY TO THE LAND OF POWDER
Rob grew up in Lively, Ontario, a small town outside Sudbury where outdoor living was the norm. His parents, retired ski bums, raised him on a love for the outdoors on camping trips, fishing excursions, and family ski holidays. When teenage Rob first experienced a 1500m vertical drop out west (compared to the 300m runs back home), he was hooked.
While studying Recreation and Leisure at the University of Waterloo, Rob dove into skiing and mountain biking. It was at this time when he started working at a local ski shop, selling gear and soaking up the ski industry. A job posting online to work at a local bike shop led him to Revelstoke. He bought the fattest powder skis he could find, packed his truck, and moved west. Not yet knowing what backcountry skiing was, or that he’d end up calling Revelstoke home for the next decade.
THE MOOSE VIBE
In the lodge, Rob is known for his positivity, humour, and creativity. From his first tour in the lodge, Rob was not shy to play music during après. As we reflect in the long mirror of time, Rob will attest to these moments being pivotal for his love of performing. And his karaoke nights are legendary (his favorites include Aerosmith’s Don’t Want to Miss a Thing and Hinder’s Lips of an Angel). Rob is just as happy trading powder turns as he is picking bluegrass tunes on his guitar or mandolin. Off the snow, Rob and his partner tend to a thriving garden, which they consider their relationship “soul food.”
When he’s not working at the lodge, Rob has a casual role with Interior Health, working in Recreation Therapy. Whether it’s leading bingo, playing music, or organizing crafts for long-term care residents, it’s a grounding and rewarding complement to his life at Mica.
Whether he’s fixing gear, sparking laughter, or making the day run like clockwork, Rob is proof that Moose sightings at Mica are always a good thing.
