Why a Professional Skier Designed The Grateful Dead's 60h Anniversary Logo

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated Dec 11, 2024 1:46 PM ET

What a Long Strange Trip It's Been, indeed.

The Grateful Dead's various social media accounts shared a video on December 11, 2024 that has skiers squirming with delight. The video revealed that professional skier and talented artist Chris Benchetler had designed the band's 60th Anniversary logo.

“The inspirational significance that I found for this piece represents the band’s impactful 60 year journey. The band’s music and live concerts represent many decades of sunshine filled positive light and energy, that the music has given to so many people," says Benchetler. "This logo is meant to pull from GD lore, yet be a contemporary interpretation for where we are now… As an artist I went on my own musical journey while I was creating this piece, that is reflected in the art.”

Benchetler was featured in POWDER's Fall 2024 print issue for transcending the ski industry with his talent as an artist and filmmaker. Today's announcement is another example of Benchetler's impact off the mountain.

Check out the 60th Anniversary logo announcement in the embedded YouTube video below:

Benchetler provides further details about the design in the caption of the YouTube video,

"The roses symbolize our deep love of the Dead. Inside the 60 I used a diamond like card, inspired from the gambling songs like Loser and Deal. The rays not only pull from Sunshine Daydream, but I used inspiration from previous Dead iconography and art, also represented in the font. The bigger semicircle was an abstract way to represent the number 60, as it is 60% of a full circle (the full sun). The aged patina on the red and blue also represents the 60 years of this unbelievable musical journey."

The Grateful Dead has one of the most passionate fan bases in the world. One might be worried about their perception of a new logo, but the response has been overwhelmingly positive from Deadheads:

"Well done Chris. You put some good thought into the project, and made it new, without destroying the past. Splendiforous."

"God bless the Grateful Dead and all the Dead Heads! Thank you young man for this beautiful artwork!"

"Fabulous. 60 years and going strong."

Dead & Company, the current rendition of the iconic Grateful Dead band, recently announced another residency at The Last Vegas Sphere. Following the successful 30 show stint in 2024, the band will play 18 more shows in March, April, and May of 2025 at Sphere.

Clips from Benchetler's upcoming project Mountains of the Moon were used in a recent Dead & Co. performance, and the band's drummer Mickey Hart makes a cameo.

It seems like The Grateful Dead and Chris Benchetler's collaboration is just getting started. We'll be here for the ride.

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This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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