Can Alternative Medicine Help You?
A Tragic Accident Turns A Ski Racer Into A Believer And A Healer.
Siri says alternative medicine returned her to real life.
Credit: Harriet Wallis
Siri Wieringa was born into a skiing family. It’s in her genes. By college she was an accomplished ski racer. But a horrific on-course accident tossed her down the hill, flipping her over and over, breaking up one side of her body and terrorizing her brain. When she regained consciousness, life as she knew it was gone.
Doctors fixed her broken bones. But they were baffled about her brain which, even though she wore a helmet, was slammed again and again against her skull. Perhaps she should drop out of college, they said. Perhaps she should just rest.
Cancelling life did not suit Siri.
“I needed Western medicine,” she said. For example, “they Life Flighted me to the hospital.” But rather than letting her just rest and stagnate, her mom sought alternative healing methods.
Siri believes alternative healing returned her to real life. “I was in a fog,” she said. “I had to learn to walk and talk and then learn to ski again.”
She finished college with a masters degree, coaches a freestyle ski team, and is so passionate about alternative healing she has studied several healing arts and is a practicing healer.
I met the vivacious, energetic 26-year-old when I went to Alta to get my season pass. She’s the daughter of Alta’s revered, long-time General Manager Onno Wieringa.
Trauma, illness, emotions and the rigors of every day life can stress the body and cause bottlenecks that derail the body’s energy and its ability to heal itself. The body is a closed eco system designed to nurture itself, Siri said. You just have to give it a chance.
Most alternative healing methods were developed by ancient cultures centuries ago. Several are modern combinations. Some you might recognize, such as: acupuncture, crystals, quantum, cupping, Reiki, Accunect, Tibetan cranial and chiropractic. And there are others—all geared to heal the body, mind and spirit.
Siri is now a Reiki and a Accunect healer. Both methods use a light touch and are non-invasive. The effectiveness cannot be measured by traditional techniques. Non-believers call such healing methods nonsense. Others believe that alternative healing saved their lives. Alternative healing worked for Siri.
Might alternative healing be right for you?
To read more from Harriet go to https://www.skiutah.com
This Week In SeniorsSkiing.Com (Nov. 18)
It’s “Wondering About Winter” Week. Pre-Occupied With Waiting For Snow.
Credit: Shot Photos
As this week progressed, we realized that most of our stories revolved around snow: Forecasting it, watching for it, or singing about it. Unfortunately, not much about skiing on it.
Our Short Swings! industry news round-up announces some fun events, especially around the holidays where some ski resorts are giving a free lift ticket to anyone showing up as Santa. Of course, the real Santa doesn’t need a lift ticket, right?
Also, we look at the news from the National Weather Service confirming the advent of a weak La Nina which more or less reinforces the three-month forecast for Jan-Feb-March 2017. Find out what that means for your region. And remember, predicting weather is all about probabilities.
We found an incredible video of “undercast” fog creeping over Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, home of some of the most extreme weather in North America. And, correspondent Harriet Wallis tells us how to look to the Wooly Moth caterpillar for clues to the winter ahead.
Finally, as part of our ongoing Skiing In Literature series, we bring you a haunting song about snow by none other than Pete Seeger, who, you may be surprised to learn, composed a number of beautifully lyrical, poetic and little-heard songs.
As we mentioned last week, we ask our readers to do a favor for us.
Please tell your friends about SeniorsSkiing.com. “Like” us on Facebook.
And remember, there really are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.
La Nina impact how the jet stream bends over the Pacific. Here’s NOAA’s prediction as of end of Oct.
Credit: NOAA NWS
Short Swings!
CALIFORNIA
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Introduces “Women of Ski Patrol” Calendar. Proceeds from the $25 item help fund avalanche safety education scholarships. The calendar showcases 13 female patrollers from last season’e Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol Teams. Calendars can be pre-ordered online now for $25 and will be available at retailers throughout the Village at Squaw Valley®.
CANADA
Whistler Blackcomb has a 30″ base. More on the way.
COLORADO
Crested Butte has a four night Christmas family deal at The Grand Lodge. Two adults and two kids get lodging and three days of passes for $1099 (+ tax and fees): http://www.skicb.com/deals.
On December 10, Crested Butte plans to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of skiers in full Santa suits (top, bottom, hat, and beard). Arrive in costume and get at $23 lift ticket. www.cbsantacrawl.com. Memo to Santa: Please bring snow!
Eldora’s Annual Ugly Sweater or Elf Costume Contest, is schedued for December 24. Prizes for the ugliest; www.eldora.com.
Purgatory acquired Coloado’s largest snowcat skiing operation. Purgatory Snowcat Adventures has guided cat skiing for skiers/boarders with access to 35,000 acres. Snowcat tours for non-skiers also available.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Loon Mountain Resort celebrates 50 years with a special anniversary weekend scheduled for January 28-29.
Ragged Mountain Resort‘s MISSION: AFFORDABLE program offers season passes for $449. Rossingol’s Learn to Ski & Ride program offers three free lessons to newbies.
Cranmore Mountain’s $79 Value Card provides a one-day lift ticket plus $20 off all subsequent lift ticket purchases (no restrictions). Card holders get a free lift ticket after every 7th visit.
Mount Sunapee offers half-price mid-week lift tickets when purchased four days in advance, online (holiday blackouts apply).
Waterville Valley Resort‘s new Frequent Skier Card gives the first lift ticket free and a $15 discount on future tickets.
UTAH
Alta postponed opening day scheduled for November 18 due to warm weather and lack of snow. The resort also announced that Lucy, a puppy, has joined its patrol. As an Alta passholder, I can report that watching a patrol dog working its way down the mountain in deep pow is a source of pleasure. Best wishes in your new job, Lucy!
Brighton has free skiing for anyone dressed as Santa on Christmas Day.
Numerous Utah areas have torchlight parades on skis during the holidays. They’re memorable. Dates/locations: Deer Valley (Dec 30); Park City (Dec 24); Snowbird (Dec 24); Solitude (Dec 31); Snowbasin (Dec 24).
OTHER
Ted Heck, longtime snow sports writer with a quick wit, passed away. He was 94.
Year-end gift giving: Consider a gift to a ski museum. Some accept tax-deductible donations of vintage gear. All welcome financial support. Two of our favorites are:
- The Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City, UT. It’s a must-visit facility with superb displays, including interactive exhibits utilizing the best of digital technology
- The New England Ski Museum in Franconia, NH. It has a comprehensive exhibit of skiing history with an emphasis on New England. On display through mid-April 2017 is a wonderful exhibit on the 10th Mountain Division.
Another terrific choice is the International Skiing History Association (ISHA), which is dedicated to preserving and advancing knowledge of ski history. It’s bimonthly magazine, Skiing History, covers topics from early resorts and prominent skiers to the presence of the sport in our material and advertising culture. Members and donors receive Skiing History as a benefit. Membership in ISHA is a great stocking stuffer!
Craving fresh veggies and herbs this winter but living in a mountain town? OPCOM Farm indoor hydroponic gardening systems are worth exploring. Cost is about that of a season pass ($499 – $599.) www.opcomfarm.com
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