Born in Virginia and raised in New York City, Gus attended New York University, graduating with a degree in Politics and Literature. He moved west to Colorado in 1992 where he joined the Vail & Beaver Creek Snowsports School and still teaches alpine and nordic skiing to adults and children while also finding time to write poetry, a play, several screenplays and a yet to be completed novel. His opinion pieces have appeared in the New York Times and the Vail Daily. He also wrote and produced an award-winning short dance film, Seasons, and has served on three not-for-profit boards including the Rocky Mountain Division of the Professional Ski Instructors Association.