Watch CBS News

Aspen Skier Drops $10,000; Employee Finds It And Returns It

By Matt Kroschel

ASPEN, Colo. (CBS4) - Imagine finding $10,000 on the ski slopes. Would you return it?

Without hesitation, Aspen Skiing Co. ski instructor Steve Schreiber did just that.

$10K lost!found aspen_frame_654
(credit: CBS)

"I put the $10,000 on the table and he just went (astonished face)... just like that," said Schreiber.

The man said had the cash with him in a money belt because he didn't have a safe in his hotel room.

$10K lost!found aspen_frame_2718
(credit: CBS)

"He apparently was staying in a place that didn't have a safe and he was moving into his condo for the winter, and he felt better about having it in his pocket," said Schreiber. "Apparently that wasn't such a good idea."

He apparently dropped the money clip while riding a ski lift.

Ski racers take a chair lift up the hill
Aspen (credit: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

The money belt was discovered near the AJAX lift.

"You know it looked like a little fanny pack just lying in the snow, it's right next to this race course that's up there."

$10K lost!found aspen_frame_1860
Aspen ski instructor Steve Schreiber (credit: CBS)

Schreiber took the money to ski patrol safe, keeping until the owner came looking for it.

In a random twist of fate, it turned out Schreiber knew the man who lost the money. Schreiber says he had actually talked with the man earlier in the morning.

$10K lost!found aspen_frame_294
(credit: CBS)

"You know, I've worked here almost 37 years and this is how it is here. It's not my money, it's his money," said Schreiber.

You can file this under "Only in Aspen."

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.