Snow In Literature: Lesson #1
Utah Poet Offers Instruction And Advice For Beginners In Sonnet.
The following loosely-rhymed sonnet is by Utah skier and writer Emma Lou Thayne (1924-2014). It appeared in her 1971 book Spaces in the Sage and was once printed on a ski poster sent nationwide to advertise Utah’s “Greatest Snow on Earth.”
Emma Lou Thayne.
Thayne earned a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Utah after having already established herself as a published writer. For a time she coached the UU women’s tennis team. She was an activist for women, peace, AIDS awareness, and mental health issues, and she was a much-beloved Utah personality and writer.
Her love of skiing Utah powder and her penchant for off-piste adventure is beautifully expressed in this poetic piece of advice to a young beginner. Growing up with three brothers, and raising five daughters, Emma Lou had plenty of opportunities to observe, advise and instruct youngsters in skiing.
Lesson #1
Alta. Credit: SkiUtah
Ski here, my child, not on gentle slopes
where the snow is packed and the trail is wide.
Instead, cut through the trees where no one’s tried
the powder. Push toward the hill and rotate
as you rise. No, the snow-plow holds you back;
it’s slow and makes you frightened of your turn.
Think parallel. Stay all in one, then learn
to ski the fall line, always down: Switchback
skiers in their caution never know how
dropping with the mountain keeps the balance
right and rhythm smooth. Don’t watch your tips at
all. Look past them at the deep white snow,
virgin as light, and yours. Just bend, release:
You, gravity, and white, will make your peace.
Powder Mountain. Credit: Ian Matteson
Mystery Glimpse: Flying Racer
Who Is The Airborne Skier? What’s His Story? Do You Know His Hometown?
This week, we made the Mystery Glimpse a little more challenging. Name this high flyer. Tell us about him and (hint) how he met his unfortunate and untimely end.
Okay that’s hard. Here’s another one of this celebrated personage.
These photos come from the collection of the Tread Of Pioneers Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO. The museum is a not-for-profit historical institution that promotes an understanding and appreciation of the history of the Steamboat Springs area by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, interpreting, and sharing that history and heritage with audiences of all ages and interests. Check out its collection of historic skiing photos.
Last Week
German POWs making shingles at Camp Hale, CO, circa 1943-46. Credit: Colorado SnowSports
We had at least one correct comment on who these soldiers were, as well as some very close guesses.
Those hard-working chaps were German POWs held at Camp Hale, CO. Did you know that from 1943 through 1946, Colorado had 48 Prisoner of War Camps? Out of the many camps, the Army placed several hundred German prisoners of war at Camp Hale, the 10th Mountain Division training facility. Though communication between prisoners and soldiers was officially forbidden, the German prisoners regularly talked with the German sympathizers in the 620th Engineer General Service Company, which arrived at the camp on December 5, 1943. The 200 soldiers who made up this unit were not actually engineers. Like several other army units, the 620th was made up of suspected Nazi sympathizers (mostly Germans) and other opponents of the war. They got along quite well with the POWs, exchanging greetings and illegal gifts. The images show POWs making shingles and stacking lumber at Camp Hale.
Thanks again to the Colorado Snowsports Museum, Vail, CO, for contributing the photograph from its archives. You can virtually visit the museum by clicking here.
Klaus Obermeyer Turns 99
Klaus Obermeyer, the legendary skier and innovator, whose eponymous ski clothing brand is found almost everywhere, recently has his 99th birthday. The following interview with Klaus appeared in SeniorsSkiing.com, January 27, 2017:
“It’s Easier To Ski Than To Walk.”
Klaus Obermeyer is a skiing legend and innovator. The 97 year old founded Sport Obermeyer Ltdbased on insights about ski wear while working in the late 40’s as an instructor in Aspen. One of his many innovations was the down ski parka, stitched together from a goose down comforter. Other product innovations include high-altitude suntan lotion, turtlenecks, nylon wind-shirts, and mirrored sunglasses. In 1961, the first Sport Obermeyer factory warehouse opened in Aspen, and innovations continued with “soft-shell” jackets, double lens goggles, pre-shaped gloves, the first waterproof, breathable fabrics, a built-in ski boot canting system and fashion-conscious, technically responsible skiwear.
What are the most significant changes you have observed in the world of skiing?
Skis have gotten shorter and wider. Their advantage is that you can float at lower speeds in deep snow. They make it easier for everyone to ski deep snow. They also allow those who climb mountains to use a lot more of the mountain with or without the lifts.
During your time, which well-known skiers have had the most impact on ski fashion?
Maria Bogner probably.
Please comment on the role of form and function in ski apparel?
For ski apparel to function well, for example, ski parkas, they need:
- – To be waterproof and breathable;
- – To have stretch material in places where stretch is needed;
- – Be lightweight;
- – Look terrific
For many years, you have been a role model for older skiers. Do you think equipment and apparel manufacturers would benefit from using older models and showing older people in their advertising and marketing?
The older models are slowly dying out and the young ones are tomorrow’s old ones. I think age makes no difference as far as technical performance of clothing.
What advice would you give older skiers who are still healthy but thinking about hanging up their boards in favor of other activities?
I think one should never give up skiing as it keeps the legs in good shape and even improves your walking after you’re over 80.
What advice would you give ski area operators to encourage older skiers to remain in the sport?
Have parking places for older skiers so you don’t have to walk so far in those awful ski boots.
Of all people past and present with whom would you like to ride the lift?
With the best looking girl!
Please add any comments not covered above.
Skiing and boarding are sports that are absolutely unique and wonderful. The make you appreciate the incredible beauty of being outdoors in the mountains and give you tremendous choices of how fast to go, where to put your turns, and where to jump to get a zero G feeling. In the end it’s easier to ski than to walk.
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