The following article was submitted by Mona Fuchs, a long time skier and former president of the Savannah Ski & Adventure Club.
FOREVER AND EVER SKIER
It's obvious why a "never-ever" skier would go to Steamboat for the wonderful opportunity to have a ski week of five days of lessons. But why would someone who has been skiing as a "forever and ever" skier go?
For me the answer is tied to the history of skiing and my history as a skier.
The first time I went skiing was in 1958. I rented skis that were basically wooden boards that had bear traps for bindings. I had a lot of fun, so several years later, when I had the opportunity to join a group that was renting a season ski house in Vermont, I joined up.
I bought my own skis, which now had metal edges, and Cubco bindings. I also bought my own boots, which were made of leather and laced up to about the top of my ankle. Learning to use the equipment was achieved simply by following my housemates down the mountain. If you survived, you learned how to ski. Technique was not fully explained. However, when you saw the person in front of you plant a pole, bend and jump, you did the same thing, and it worked. Skiing almost every weekend for about ten years also was helpful.
After that I took a break for several years. I had children, and although I still wanted to ski, and warm cuddly mother that I was, I was of the opinion that I wouldn't return to skiing until the children were old enough to carry their own equipment. When that was achieved we skied one week a year, trying to remember where we left off the year before. It wasn't until the children were adults that ski vacations started to get longer.
While I was moving on with my skiing, the ski industry wasn't standing still. Every couple of years there was a new innovation in skis and boots. Each tweak of the equipment meant a tweak in skiing technique.
Now, that brings us to the Ski and Race Camp held each year at Steamboat. I can't remember how many skis I've gotten that were "the latest", but each time that happened, I had to adapt my skills to the new skis. I have been going to Steamboat for five years and have always learned something new, or tried something more difficult. It's been challenging, and fun. No matter what your proficiency you will learn something. After all, if professional skiers have coaches, why shouldn't you?
This year, after Steamboat, I went on the Crescent Ski Council trip to Mammoth. All that I had learned in Steamboat clicked and enhanced the skiing on that trip. When you ski well, it makes every trip a joy.
Well said, Mona!
The Savannah Ski & Adventure Club promotes the sport of skiing for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels and camaraderie among its members by providing quality ski trips at group prices and year round opportunities for social interaction.