Behind the Goggles – Episode 13
The Man Behind the Native American Flute
When you ski at Loveland, you don’t just hear the wind carving over the Continental Divide—you might also hear the soft, soulful voice of a Native American flute drifting across the slopes. Follow that sound and you’ll usually find Dennis Velasquez, longtime instructor, musician, and a living piece of Loveland Ski Area’s heart and history.
A proud member of the Navajo Nation, Dennis carries his heritage with him every day on the mountain. His flute is more than an instrument; it’s a connection to culture, tradition, and the landscapes that inspire him. Whether he’s greeting the sunrise outside the lodge or offering a peaceful melody from one of our mountain cabins, Dennis shares his music the same way he shares his teaching—with generosity, intention, and joy.
Dennis joined the Loveland Ski & Ride School in 1991, and for more than three decades he has introduced countless students to the magic of sliding on snow. Known for his patience, his laugh, and an uncanny ability to calm even the most nervous first-timer, Dennis teaches with the same rhythm and flow he brings to his music.
To the Loveland community, he’s more than an instructor. He’s a storyteller. A tradition-keeper. A mountain ambassador. And the soundtrack of the ski area itself.
So when you see him on the slopes—goggles on, smile wide—and later hear his flute echoing through a warm lodge or quiet cabin, you’re not just witnessing a ski instructor at work.
You’re watching a legacy unfold.
