Tag Archive for: snow

mikemaginn

Skiing In Literature: Pete Seeger’s “Snow, Snow”

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Haunting Song Evokes Winter Night Snow Fall.

Everybody knows Pete Seeger and his folk songs from archival ballads to anthems of struggle, the peace and labor movement, and the rest.  What is not widely known is that Pete was a lyrical poet, and some of his lesser known works are rich with images and emotion.  One of those is “Snow, Snow,” appropriate for listening to by a fireside on a cold night with a gentle snow fall outside.  It’s a bit minimalist, perhaps somber in its simple description of snow falling on a town.  We offer it here as a chance for our readers to reflect on what else snow can be.  Click on the Youtube video below to hear a rendition.

Credit: Shot Photos

Credit: Shot Photos

Snow, Snow By Pete Seeger

(Chorus after each verse)

Snow, snow, falling down

Covering up my dirty old town

 

 

 

Covers the garbage dump, covers the holes

Covers the rich homes, and the poor souls.

Covers the station, covers the tracks,

Covers the footsteps of those who’ll not be back

 

Under the street lamp, there stands a girl,

Looks like she’s not got a friend in this world.

Look at the big flakes come drifting down,

Twisting and turning, round and round.

 

Covers the mailbox, the farm and the plow.

Even barbed wire seems beautiful now.

Covers the station, covers the tracks.

Covers the footsteps of those who’ll not be back.

 

“Snow, Snow” was released on the 1973 Rainbow Race album.

 

 

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Jon Weisberg

This Week in SeniorsSkiing.com (Nov. 11)

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Keep up the snow dance.

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The season has started at Arapahoe Basin with a few open trails. A dump is expected in Colorado next week. 

There’ a terrific interview with Jackson Hogen, publisher of realskiers.com. He shares views about the impact of corporate vs. family-owned ski areas, growing old on skis, and the importance of older skiers to the sport.

Part 2 of the Shape Up series has a variety of exercises that will get you ready for the season.

And there’s a video on synchronized skiing in the Alps. Pure grace on snow.

There are more seniors skiing every season. If you like what we’re doing, please tell your friends and on FaceBook, “like” us and “share” our articles.

Thank you!

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Jon Weisberg

Snow Sports Leaders: Earl Saline, National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

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Editor’s Note: With this article, SeniorsSkiing.com begins a project of publishing interviews with snow sports leaders. We want our readers to learn more about the people who are influential in snow sports development and their views of the role of older participants in skiing, boarding and snow shoeing.

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), has spent most of his 47 years on snow and around the snow industry. At NSAA he develops education programming for ski areas and their employees, including safety campaigns directed at patrons. Earl has taught at ski areas in the US and in New Zealand, at times managing ski schools with 700+ instructors. Before joining NSAA, he was Education Manager for the Professional Ski Instructors – American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) where he oversaw education and credentialing for 32,000+ members.

How did your early career lead to your NSAA position?

For years, I’ve worked with instructors and trainers across the US teaching skiing and boarding. My wife and I even went to New Zealand where I taught, trained, and examined snowboard instructors. In 2009 I took a position with PSIA-AASI focusing on education and credentialing programs. Ski area management was an important stakeholder in these programs, which led me to NSAA in 2014.

What issues face the ski area members of NSAA? 

The big one is attracting and retaining customers. This involves three critical phases, which we identify as “trial,” “conversion,” and “retention.” Areas work hard to bring new skiers and riders to the sport and to their facilities. If they like the experience, they’re more likely to return, improving their skills and enjoying the sport. That’s the conversion phase. As they identify as skiers and riders, our hope is that they return year after year. We define that as ‘retention.’ Ideally, these converted skiers and riders then share their newfound passion with friends and family.

Our member areas compete year-round with their guests’ work and family obligations and with other recreational and non-recreational pursuits. Many activities don’t require the same time commitment as being on the hill. That’s why we work with areas to keep skiing top of mind when people think about where and how they want to spend their winter.

What is your/NSAA’s thinking about the role of the 50+ snow sports enthusiast in the overall skier population?

Research shows that the majority of new participants are introduced to skiing and riding through family and friends. Grandparents have tremendous influence on getting the rest of their family into skiing, especially when they own property at or near a resort. Many areas are embracing 50+ skiers because they may influence their peers, sometimes bringing new people to the sport. Areas like Crystal Mountain, Michigan are leading the charge with programs specifically aimed at experienced and at new 50+ skiers.

Please comment on other macro-issues impacting the industry.

NSAA Logo 24 x 29_v2Time poverty is one of the greatest issues facing increased participation. Many Americans lead busy lives, even after retirement. Family and other activities compete for attention, time, and financial resources.

Reliable snow is another. Areas have invested heavily in snowmaking. Snowmaking technology helped Eastern areas survive last season.

Areas also are investing in the beginners’ experience. Snow-shaping in beginner areas and equipment designed specifically for beginners is making it easier to learn to ski and ride. And new lifts make the beginner’s experience more enjoyable. Last season, areas in the East, put extra effort into keeping beginner areas open. This was critical to get newcomers into the “trial” phase and increasing their likelihood of conversion.

Qualified, trained instruction is crucial for first timers and for more experienced skiers wanting to stay fresh on snow.

These and other advances and improvements make skiing and riding accessible and better than ever. They are among the most enjoyable ways to spend wintertime with family and friends.