Mystery Glimpse: Dancing, Where?
It Was A Famous Apres Ski Hangout Back In The Day.
Hint: Think Colorado. What place? What year? Thanks to the Colorado Snowsports Museum for this blast from the past.
Last Week: Bang, Bang
As we said last week, it’s not what you think. It sure looks like the 10th Mountain in training at Camp Hale, as several readers have guessed.
Here’s the story of the photo, taken from the library archives of the Alf Engen Museum, Park City, as explained by Jon Green, the museum’s operations manager.
Taken around 1942, this image shows paratroopers from Fort Benning, GA, who were sent to Alta to learn how to ski and fight in the snow.
From the book, Dick Durrance: The Man On The Medal, The Life And Times Of America’s First Great Ski Racer, as told by the inimitable John Jerome:
“In the fall of 1941, a few months before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, [the 17-time national championship ski racer] Dick Durrance got a call from a Jack Tappan, an army colonel, who asked if he was interested in training paratroopers for ski warfare. Washington had determined that the U.S. would probably soon be involved in a war in Europe, and part of it might be fought in the Alps in the winter.” At the end of that winter, Dick and his fellow instructors determined that “maybe a third of the troopers would become pretty good skiers, the middle third could get by, but the other third had better stay in the paratroopers and forget it.”
Just after Pearl Harbor, early elements of what became the 10th Mountain were activated. The planners decided to recruit active skiers and outdoorsmen who actually knew mountain sports, rather than convert standing regiments of troops, even highly trained paratroopers. Perhaps the lessons learned by Dick Durrance at Alta led to that wise decision.
Coming Back To Skiing
If You Have Been Away From The Sport For A Few Decades, Welcome Back and SURPRISE!
Remember the old days? Long stiff skis? Weighed a ton. Wearing yourself out to jump them into the air to change direction? It didn’t matter back then because we were young and fit. Now look at us.
Well, the good news is EVERYTHING has gotten better. Praise be, I don’t need to be the man I was, because I’m not.
The lifts are better, the slopes are better groomed, the clothing keeps you warmer. Boots are more comfortable. And this is key: Skis are lighter, bendier, and much easier to ski on. They really want to make arcs for you.
Five Essential Tips For Returning Skiers
- Be brave. You did it before, you can do it again.
- But be cautious, not reckless. No matter what you skied before, spend more time than you might think is needed, on very gentle slopes.
- Aim to start slow and easy, and work up as appropriate.
- Of course you’ll be excited, you’ll want to “git started”, but don’t do too much on days one and two – you’ll get tired, your muscles will object, your control will slip away and you’ll wind up on a low, instead of a high. Picture a rising graph, not a falling one.
- After the years away it will matter more HOW you ski, than WHAT you ski.
Get Your Mind Back In The Groove.
Don’t wait until you’re standing on the snow before you begin training your mind. Read some good ski improvement book, it won’t take long, and it’ll add to your anticipation, like having an extra holiday. You might consider my own book “Ski In Control: How To Ski ANY Piste Anywhere In Full Control”. There are many more. Get an understanding of how a ski turn works by your fireside. It is incredibly helpful to have the concept down before you go.
Four More Useful Tips.
- Avoid buying new skis or boots before you go. Wait until you get to the ski hill and visit the rental shop. Tell them what kind of skiing you hope to do. Be careful not to let them “up-sell” you, using skis that are too advanced won’t help you. Tell them you will want to try numerous different pairs during the week, if you have a week. If you find a pair you like, say you’ll buy them if they deduct the hire fee.
- Boots: Whatever else you do, avoid too-stiff boots like the plague. They may make you feel more secure, but you won’t be. You must be able to flex your ankles.
- Boots are different in the shop than on the mountain. They’re thermo-plastic, they’ll get much stiffer when they get cold. Take that into account.
- The shop will offer you poles and will be insistent that they have judged their length correctly for you. Ask them for shorter ones – even 4” shorter. Just for a day. Then exchange them later for a pair 2” longer than those. Keep going until you find a length that a) you like, and b) don’t make you ski upright.
One More Thing: Lessons
If you plan to take lessons, never a bad idea, take care about private lessons, at least to begin with. Why? Because one-on-one gives you far less rest. Private lessons are much more intense and tiring. It also means you won’t get a chance to get or give any feedback from or to others. Try to find teaching in small groups. You’ll get more out of it.
You’ll find a lots more useful information on bobski.com, or soon you’ll be able to subscribe to my new Youtube channel for a free online coaching course.
APEX Boots: Simplicity. Comfort. Performance.
If there’s a skiers’ Hell, its boot room will be full.
Many of you have written to complain that your boots don’t provide good support; they’re too cold; you have to tighten them until your feet go numb. They have you thinking about ending your skiing careers.
There’s no other piece of equipment that stimulates as much discomfort and emotion. 
For those of you who suffer, I have these words of advice: either seek out a professional bootfitter or try Apex.
Really good boot fitters can be found in some ski shops, not all. Some are more skilled than others, and finding a good one can be hit or miss. America’s Best Bootfitters.com lists those who have gone through an important training certification program.
Fantastic Experience!
But many of you have problem feet that even the most skilled bootfitter won’t be able to help. Fortunately, I’m not among your ranks. But I am curious. So, last season I spent time skiing the Apex boot. A fantastic experience!
Apex Boots
The Apex system is a hybrid of a soft and comfortable walkable boot and a stiff open chassis. You slip the soft boot on with ease – even on cold days – and turn a knob that controls a thin cable snugging the boot to the contours of your foot. Walk from the lot or around the lodge with these super-comfortable boots. When it’s time to ski, step into the chassis, close the three buckles, and step into your bindings. It’s as simple and as comfortable as that.
I skied them in the Rockies and in the Alps, and they did what any well-fitting boot should do. They transferred my movements to my skis, provided proper and comfortable support, and kept my feet comfy, even on some brutally cold mornings. I used the Anterro model ($899), which is Apex’s top of the line Big Mountain edition. It’s available in a women’s model (Antero-S; $799), as well. The other two choices are the Crestone (All Mountain; $749) and the Blanca (Ladies All Mountain; $649).
Different Look
Since they’re different looking, they serve as an ice-breaker, which got me into a variety of conversations. I ran into people who were aware of Apex but skeptical about them. Understandable, but not fair. The boot skis very nicely (and COMFORTABLY). A few fellow riders knew some Apex converts and reported they were pleased. After I wrote a brief article about the boots (That was before I skied them), several Apex owners wrote in to report how much they love them. A few outliers emailed admonishments that I should know better. I’d refer them as well as anyone interested in how other skiers respond to Apex to the user reviews on the Apex website. People with all kinds of foot conditions explain how Apex resolved them.
My only criticism is that it took a while to get accustomed to managing the two components. But, really, not that long.
Bottom Line
Here’s the bottom line: If you want a solution for uncomfortable or underperforming 
conventional ski boots, invest in a pair of Apex boots. You can get them fitted in ski shops stocking the boot. Or you can purchase them directly through the manufacturer’s website. I spoke to one of the Apex executives while preparing this article. Readers ordering the boot directly (Discount code SENIOR3000) will get free shipping in the lower 48, a ski boot bag from Kulkea (value: $149.95), and free demos for friends and family through 2020 at Apex’s demo center in Golden, Colorado. The offer is good through November 30.
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