Remembering Jon Weisberg
1943 – 2022
Seniors Skiing’s creator, co-founder, and main contributor passed away on Friday, June 3, 2022.
Jon Weisberg, 78, died June 3 peacefully at home, following a 15-month fight against bladder cancer. An avid skier, he created and co-founded SeniorsSkiing.com, the global online magazine for older skiers. As an executive with Bristol-Myers Squibb, responsible for international public affairs, he promoted and defended the company’s interests across the globe. Earlier, in PR agencies, he represented major consumer brands, trade associations, and other well-known interests. Jon received a BA (’65) from Syracuse University and an MA (’68) from its Newhouse School of Public Communications. Upon retirement in 2000, he and his wife, Pam, moved to Utah to be closer to world-class skiing. He became an adjunct professor in a graduate program of Westminster College, taught in the Deer Valley Ski School, and skied deep powder. For the next 17 years, he provided public relations and crisis and issues management consulting to organizations throughout the country. He served on the boards of the Utah Humanities Council, including as Chair, of the Living Planet Aquarium, and The Mesa, an Artist in Residency program at Zion National Park. Jon is survived by Pam (Crowe), his wife of 50 years, daughters Zoe Weisberg Coady (Chris, Valentino, Scarlett) of Narraganset, RI, and Dr. Amanda Lucero and family (estranged) of Salt Lake City. Donations in his memory may be made to Huntsman Cancer Institute and/or to the International Skiing History Association.
Jon with Klaus Obermeyer, founder of Sport Obermeyer.
Jon skiing in the Dolomites
Jon skiing at Powder Mountain, Utah, 2022.
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Sustainability: Snow Sports Depend on It
The outdoor industry is big business: 57 million Americans engage in outdoor activities, generating an estimated $887 billion in revenue and creating about 7.6 million jobs.
Wind turbine at Jimmy Peak, MA
Snowsports, which account for about $20 billion in annual revenue in 38 states, rely on Mother Nature for cold and snow. A study conducted ten years ago by Protect Our Winters (POW), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and University of New Hampshire scientists, links specific climate data to projected business losses for the snow sports industry and the U.S. economy.
Porter Fox, author, and Columbia University professor, writes about climate change and snow sports. He draws a relationship between the decline of the number of annual ski days and the ski industry’s light support of advocacy efforts. He lists 13 national legislators from ski states (CA, OR, UT and WA) who have voted against proposed environmental climate legislation; half of them voting against all the bills.
According to one Aspen Skiing Company executive, “The industry hasn’t done a good job educating leaders on the raw science and hasn’t made enough of a public statement on climate.”
Solar panels at Mt Abram, ME
That said, many ski areas are addressing global warming by taking local action in the form of wind turbines and solar tracking systems. LED lighting is another investment reducing power use. More specifically, Aspen has LEED buildings, a coal methane capture facility, and solar and hydro energy. On the other side of the country, Killington is engaged in a program that purchases electricity generated by cow dung. The area also encourages use of electric vehicles by installing about 50 EV charging stations.
These are just a few of the many examples of ski areas taking action to address climate change and, frankly, do what they can to survive the warming conditions threatening their long-term survival.
Yes, it’s good for business. And it’s good for all of us who love to play in the snow. It’s also good for our future generations.
For a summary of how ski areas around the world are becoming sustainable, click here.
Don Burch’s Funkadelic Skiing
Short productions by ski videographer, Don Burch, have been gracing these pages for a few seasons.
Each one is a personal perspective on the joys of skiing; quite different from what the ski and clothing companies have been sponsoring. Funkadelic Skiing – a compilation from the 2021-22 season — is yet another take on Don’s unique view of the sport. Enjoy!
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