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Like many other Crested Buttians, Ben Eaton is an East coast transplant, originally from the small ski town of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. Ben grew up ski racing before attending St. Lawrence University in upstate New York to study art.  After college, he found his way to Vail, both to coach ski racing and to further his knowledge of working with metal, aka blacksmithing.  One thing led to another and he found himself in Crested Butte, and working as a full-time Blacksmith making decorative door handles, fireplaces, etc, as well as his own artwork.

Later, while spending time in Europe while his wife pursued her degree, he began paragliding.  (Paragliding is flying through the air with a parachute-like canopy.  Parasailing is what you might see when someone is getting towed behind a boat.  Hang gliding uses a larger wing with framework.  And finally, speed flying is using a much smaller wing at higher speeds generally at lower flying altitudes).  On any given day when the wind is right, you may very well see Ben or one of his flying friends soaring high above the mountain (there is a take-off near the top of the Monument ski run).

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ben about "hand forged custom ironwork" and paragliding as much as I enjoyed the interview!  Please subscribe on your favorite podcast player and leave a review!

If you would like to learn more about Ben Eaton, his art, and his business Get Bent Blacksmithing, visit his website here: https://getbentllc.com/

To learn more about Crested Butte paragliding and other "air sports" like hang gliding, visit the Crested Butte Soaring Society's Facebook page, or maybe even attend one of their meetings: https://www.facebook.com/flycrestedbutte/