Mystery Glimpse: Turning Point
What’s The Story Behind This Statue?
Why is it so important to the Colorado Snowsports Museum? Who is the artist?
Last Week
The Fountain Mountain at Mt. Snow, VT was the subject of last week’s mystery. According to Mt. Snow’s Jamie Storrs, the Fountain was switched on for the first time on January 18, 1965
When Mount Snow’s founder, Walt Schoenknecht, saw something he simply must have, he built it. In this case, it was the fountain that shoots out of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. From that seed, Fountain Mountain is born.
Fountain Mountain, a 350-foot geyser out of Snow Lake, is powered by twin Westinghouse 600-horsepower pumps that shoot 3,000 gallons of water per minute straight up through three Worthington centrifugal pumps. It was said to be the largest man-made geyser ever built. Back in the day, Governor Phil Hoff was on hand to launch Fountain Mountain.
During the winter, Fountain Mountain erupts 24/7 and as the water freezes, a giant ski hill is formed. The hill is large enough to hold races; a rope tow transports skiers to the top. Fountain Mountain lasts into the summer months and, since 1969, is the site for summer race camps in June.
Alas, the Fountain Mountain was shut down when the energy crisis of the early 70s drove the costs of running it out of sight.
Swimming at the foot of Fountain Mountain, circa 1964. Credit: Mt. Snow
Incidents & Accidents: 6
Tracking Down The Reckless Party: YOU Must Capture Data At The Scene.
Mark Stangl, Steamboat, CO
What Happened: Snowboarder collided with me from behind, causing a spiral leg fracture. Both fibula and tibia were broken and required internal hardware treatments. Major life changes and financial impacts resulted. (The snowboarder was from Panama and although at fault resisted all contact from my attorney and was shielded by the corrupt legal system there.)
Role of Ski Patrol: Transported me from the slopes to the local hospital. Patrol did not conduct an accident investigation, nor help identify nor locate the snowboarder. My friends snapped a cellphone image of the on-the-spot ‘incident report’, but name and contact information were wrong, or “wildly incomplete”. Later inquiry to Steamboat about identity and location yielded a response of “Too bad. Here is the policy indicating it is not our job to authenticate information given to us by patrons”.
Subsequently, a Denver TV station conducted an investigation and aired the results. The ski area stonewalled their questions, but undercover work revealed the high number of injuries at that ski area every year. Over 3,000! Link to that TV aired report is here.
Followup investigation to 12 other ski areas and industry trade groups were further stonewalled, or responded to with the common façade of “…myth out there…our numbers are so low…”.
Lessons Learned: A systemic concealment and conspiracy is in existence regarding skier safety by the industry. An image of “wonderful family experience” is shadowed by the truth of high non-fatal injury rates, and exculpatory laws/waivers releasing the operators from virtually all responsibility.
Advice: Upon being the victim of an”at fault accident”, call police and report an assault. Have others snap a photo of the offenders ski pass or ticket. Tracking data is available from that. Detain the offender if possible, and call patrol.
For Prevention: Wear a flashing red bicycle light on your helmet facing back. These are being used by seniors to alert followers and seem to inspire attention.
Skiing Single: Five Best Words To Hear On The Slope
Life Happens. We Get Older And Our Spouses Pass Away. That’s When We Ski Alone, Often Really Alone.
“Take some runs with us,” say Howard and Naimi. Credit: Harriet Wallis
This is a true story, and a sad story. It’s just one of many similar stories. It might sound like sour grapes, but the goal is to offer a perspective on what it’s like to ski as a widow. The story has a perfect ending because of five great words.
It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining. The road is clear and dry as I head up the canyon. The radio keeps me company until the signal fades into hissing static. I shut it off and drive the rest of the way in silence.
Whether you’re widowed or single by choice, there’s often a lot of silence. Skiing can offer camaraderie.
The mountain comes into view. It sparkles with fresh snow. What a great day to be alive and to ski.
The lodge is filling up with skiers. Sue and John tap me on my shoulder from behind, and we greet each other with hugs. As we gear up and stuff our feet into ski boots, I hear about their summer, their travels, and their projects. They’re having a great time.
But as we finish gearing up, Sue looks across the lodge and abruptly says: “Our friends are here. Bye!”
Those are not the best five words to hear.
Widows and singles are often cast off because we’re not a couple. We’re misfits. But we shouldn’t have to go two-by-two to qualify. It’s not Noah’s Ark. It’s the ski slopes!
I ski alone.
But then the day takes a turn.
It’s bitter cold on the mountain. Skiers pour into the mid-mountain lodge to thaw out. On the way to get a hot chocolate, I encounter Naomi and Howard. They’re hard core skiers with lots of enthusiasm.
Howard sees there’s no one with me and says: “Are you skiing by yourself? Take some runs with us.”
“Take some runs with us” are the five best words to hear when you’re skiing alone. They’re magic words. They reach out with camaraderie and kindness. “Take some runs with us” are five words that anyone can say to make someone’s day brighter.
Many ski areas have senior groups that ski together. But you don’t have to be part of any group to say: “Take some runs with us.” Seniors who are skiing alone will appreciate your kindness.
Camaraderie is the key. At Alta, the senior group is the Wild Old Bunch, and they can be identified by the large smiley-face patch on their jackets.
The 70+ Ski Club is a nationwide ski club that offers a variety of week long ski trips. Upcoming trips include skiing in the U.S., Canada and France. And the club is an advertiser in SeniorsSkiing.com.
[Editor Note: Some resorts sponsor and/or support senior clubs. Waterville Valley has its Silver Streaks, for example. Other resorts, like Dodge Ridge, offer senior week specials including lessons, races, and gatherings. Ski clubs are a sure place to ski with other seniors. These communities offer a chance to meet new friends and share the experience of snow sports.]
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