Short Swings!
Secrets of the Ice is a Norwegian website dedicated to archaeological discoveries in melting glaciers and ice patches in Norway and elsewhere. Glacial archaeology is a developing science as the planet warms, and objects from mummified people to ancient skis melt out of the ice. In Norway, one ski was carbon-dated to 650BC Another ski, from 750AD, was found with a complete binding.
Digervarden ski (c. AD 750). Source: Secrets of the Ice
Click here to read a well-written account of what has been learned about these early skis.
What do you think future peoples exploring the mysteries of mountainous areas will think about trees covered with women’s underwear? Were they a weird form of public art created by even weirder humans recreating in the cold?
A few years ago (maybe he still offers the service) a guy at Alta hired himself out with a metal detector to find lost skis buried in deep powder. Those of us who’ve been through that experience, know its value. I always found my skis, but it can take time.
At one point, I hid coins in nature with the idea of finding them in the future. I remember one such hiding spot with my daughter on a rustic perch overlooking a glacial lake. It was over thirty years ago. It makes me want to go back as a family and find them.
Reconstruction: Alfons & Adrie Kennis © South Tyrol Museum Archaeology/Ochsenreiter
In the Spring, I wrote about visiting Oetzi the Iceman in the Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy. He’s been dated to 3300BC. It’s a wonderful small museum, and several of you posted comments about your visits there.
A couple I know in Salt Lake City went off route on Everest several years ago and found a well-known American climber’s jacket and other of the missing climber’s artifacts. He disappeared in the 30s.
Many of us could have some interesting archaeological finds simply rummaging through the pockets of old ski clothing. When I was 12 an uncle gave me the anorak he used in the 20s or 30s. In a pocket was an ancient stick of Wrigley’s gum, complete with foil and paper wraps. I couldn’t resist the temptation. It was awful.
There are so many things waiting to be found. We constantly consume and dispose. Given our collective concerns about ski area safety, would it be a surprise if those future glacial archaeologists also found the scattered remains of older skiers?
Alterra To Purchase Sugarbush
Alterra Mountain Company has entered into an agreement to purchase Sugarbush in Vermont.
Women An Important Part of Jackson Hole History
Most ski and ski area videos are male-oriented, if not male-dominated. Jackson Hole has a delightful 90-second video on the impact of women throughout its history, starting with the fact that in 1920, the town elected the first all female government. Click here.
Areas Open and Opening
Lifts are running across North America. Here’s a partial list of open areas and those that soon will be:
East
Killington VT) Open
Mount Snow (VT) Open
Sunday River (ME) Open
Bristol Mountain (NY) Open
Wildcat (NH) Nov 15
Gore Mountain (NY) Nov 15
Greek Peak (NY) Nov 15
Hunter Mountain (NY) Nov 15
Whiteface Mountain (NY) Nov 15
Big Boulder (PA) Nov 15
Sugarloaf (ME) Nov 15
Loon Mountain (NH) Nov 16
Titus Mountain (NY) Nov 16
Mont Tremblant (QC) Nov 22
Snowshoe (WV) Nov 22
Stratton (VT) Nov 23
Sugarbush (VT) Nov 23
West/Northwest
Arapahoe Basin(CO) Open
Eldora (CO) Open
Mt. Norquay (AB) Open
Lake Louise (AB) Open
Winter Park (CO) Open
Copper Mountain (CO) Open
Banff Sunshine (AB) Open
Mammoth Mountain (CA) Open
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows (CA) Nov 15
Steamboat (CO) Nov 15
Park City (UT) Nov 22
Alya (UT) Nov 23
Solitude (UT) Nov 23
Aspen and Snowmass (CO) Nov 28
Big Bear (CA) Nov 28
Big Sky (MT) Nov 28
Jackson Hole (WY) Nov 28
Snow Summit (CA) Nov 28
Taos (NM) Nov 28
Big Bear (CA) Nov 29
Snowbird (UT) Nov 29
Revelstoke (BC) Nov 39
Aspen Highlands (CO) Dec 7
Buttermilk (CO) Dec 7
Deer Valley (UT) Dec 7
The Summit at Snoqualmie (WA) Dec 7
June Mountain (CA) Dec 21
Midwest
Boyne Mountain (MI) Nov 15
Crystal Mountain (MI) Nov 22
Boyne Highlands (MI) Nov 28
Military Week at Taos
Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc. (NFO), the Taos, NM, non-profit that organizes annual ski outings for past and present military at Taos Ski Valley, will host the 7th Not Forgotten Outreach Ski Week, January 21 – 26, 2020. The event is open to military, their immediate families, and Gold Star Families. Participants enjoy deeply discounted lodging, lift tickets, lessons and rentals. Through a VA Adaptive Sports Grant, NFO is offering five scholarships for skiers/snowboarders currently on active duty with vision, intellectual/cognitive, or physical-related diagnoses. Click here for more info.
Ski Safety PSAs
High Fives Foundation is dedicated to prevention of life-changing injuries and providing resources if they happen. The non-profit is based in Truckee, CA, and much of its snow sports activities are in Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Among its many good deeds is production of Public Service Announcements educating people about on-snow safety. High Fives just released this short PSA on what to do when someone is injured. It is an excellent refresher.
Ski Conditioning Series
Source: Parlor Skis
Powder Hour is a six-week online conditioning series featuring former US Ski Team member, Hilary McCloy. The program focuses on strengthening key muscle groups required to ski safely and powerfully. Parlor Skis, the New England custom ski company, is subsidizing the cost of the series by providing the first two free. The series cost is $75. For more info or to register, click here.
International Ski History Association
A Worthy Donation
International Skiing History Association is the non-profit dedicated to preserving and presenting skiing history. Its publication, Skiing History, is a joy to read. Digital subscriptions are free to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers. ISHA is seeking donations, all of which are tax-deductible. Please visit www.skiinghistory.org/donate and help ISHA continue its important work
The Man Behind The Ski Maps
Jim Niehues is the artist whose paintings are the basis of the maps of more than 300 ski areas. Ski Utah produced this 4 minute video of Niehues explaining his work.
Incidents And Accidents: 1
Katie Van Hess, Sun Valley, ID.
Editor Note: Here’s our first contribution from a reader about an incident she was involved with. To submit your story, try to follow the same format. Send to INFO@seniorsskiing.com
Where: Sun Valley
What Happened: Uphill skier heading fast towards a ridge to jump it. I was heading along the ridge towards a congested area to load on the lift. He tried to stop but hit me anyway, sending me into another skier while skidding along, flat on my back with skis still attached. The uphill skier came out of his skis. No one was seriously injured (but no apology from the guy who hit me). I took time off in the lodge to collect myself and did notice a previous meniscus injury was again compromised. This was at my home base of Sun Valley, and this particular run has always needed a slow down sign or better traffic control.
Role of the Ski Patrol: I’ve suggested a slow down sign to a ski patroller, and he did agree its been needed but nothing has been done.
Lessons Learned: I rather “panic” when I hear a skier or boarder behind me. I try to set a definite rhythm to my turns so they can judge where I’m going. I’ve gotten hit by them too many times over the years. One time, I did go to the emergency room with a huge hematoma on my arm (which I stuck up to protect myself as a boarder slammed into me while I was standing still).
Advice: Uphill skiers/boarders need to be reminded of their obligation to be able to safely pass those below them. I do agree that all mountains need more staff or volunteers to slow down the “indestructible” younger skiers. Resorts seem to be hesitant about ruining their good time.
Mystery Glimpse: On Patrol
Early Red Parka Person
Who is this guy? Sure looks like he knows the snows. Photo courtesy of the New England Ski Museum and executive director Jeff Leich. Worth visiting their online gift shop by the way if you’re looking for skier/snow sport presents. The New England Ski Museum now has two locations: Franconia and North Conway, NH.
Last Week
Yes, Mount Superior. Here’s a wonderful description from Alan Engen, recent winner of the S.J. Quinney Award from the Utah Ski Archives, honoring his life time achievements in the snow sports world. Thanks to Alan and the Alf Engen Ski Museum for contributing these photos.
“The photo was taken by the legendary early ski pioneer/legend, Dick Durrance in 1940. He was living at Alta at the time with his new wife, Miggs Durrance. Here’s a good photo of both of them on the deck of the old Alta Lodge, which Dick helped to initially build.
“The “Pointy Peak” photo shown is of Mount Superior and was taken not far from the top of Alta Ski Area’s current Wildcat Lift location. It is an impressive shot. Both Dick and his wife, Miggs, were excellent photographers.”
In the book The Man on the Medal, about the life of Dick and Miggs Durrance, written by John Jerome (1995), the following information was provided on their coming to Alta.
Dick and Miggs first came to Alta in the spring of 1940 to attend the wedding of Friedl Pfeiffer and a Salt Lake City girl (name not identified in the book). So recorded, they both “fell in love with the place.” They were married shortly after on June 9, 1940. In the fall of that year, Dick made contact with the Salt Lake Winter Sports Association (who ran the Alta ski area operation) and expressed interest in coming to Alta and helping to build the fledgling area with one chairlift and a lodge which at that time was only half finished. The Alta group welcomed Dick’s proposal with “open arms.”
It was through Dick’s efforts that he made contact with a friend named James “J” Laughlin and invited him to come and see the area he was involved with. Laughlin did come, and quickly fell in love with the beauty of Alta and ended up purchasing the Alta Lodge from the Salt Lake Winter Sports Association. The lodge had been started through a $25,000.00 gift to Salt Lake Winter Sports by the Rio Grande Railroad. The gift had been authorized by one of the trustees of the railroad, Wilson McCarthy. Laughlin agreed to finance completion of the Alta Lodge in return for interest in the lodge and the lift operation which the Salt Lake Winter sports Association agreed to do.
Laughlin, in turn, quickly hired Durrance to oversee the lodge completion and general lodge operations. This was in addition to running the ski school operation (which he had been granted through Forest Service approval). Dick’s ski school staff consisted of his wife, Miggs, Gordy Wren (who would become one of America’s finest Olympic ski jumpers), and Si Brand, a racer from California. The Durrance Ski School at Alta was based on the stem turn, “Which Mathias Zdarsky had advocated shortly before the turn of the century in Lilienfeld, Austria.”
Dick and Miggs first lived at Alta in one of the small mining buildings, below the Alta Lodge, left over from the mining era. Unfortunately, the old mining shack burned down and some of Durrance’s valuable competition awards were lost in the fire.
The Durrances lived at Alta for the first two years of their married life and left Alta after completion of the 1941-42 ski season.
In reflection, Alta has had a number of skiing legends who have, at one time or another, called that place at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, home. For certain, the Durrances fit that category and both contributed in helping to develop Alta into a world class ski resort.
Miggs passed away at the age of 83 on November 11, 2002. Dick passed away at age 89 on June 13, 2004.
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