A Legendary Skier "Steve"

   One morning I made my usual trip for my local ski to Greek Peak expecting a routine day on the slopes. After three days off, I was looking forward to the pleasure of a multitude of runs on mostly blue and green trails and hooking up with old friends. Even though it is a vacation week, the crowds were minimal and I wasn't able to hook up with my usual friends on the early runs. Therefore, I was riding solo or joining others at random.  I guess that was serendipitous since by chance I encountered what I would name as a 74 year-old legendary skier Steve.  In my book he then qualifies as a geezer skier, though he may not want that identity.

    Why is he a legendary skier?   The answer to me is astounding.  He has skied every year Greek Peak since its founding!  A total of 72 years. He told me that his mother had him on the slopes when he was two years old and from then on he never missed a season. This makes a lot of sense when I learned that his family were original investors in Greek Peak, buying stock in the corporation and so on.  As original investors they enjoyed such perks as lifetime passes until the business changed hands some years ago.  I guess they were bought out to remove that obligation.   Whatever the case, I am astounded that someone could have such a long run at one ski area. I am a short timer by his standards at 59 years and counting.   

   Probably there is more to the story.  I look forward to more time getting background on his lifetime ski run. Legends come in all forms don't they?   I mentioned to him that I have a blog geezerskier.com.  I hope he takes a look at it.

   If I get a chance to "interview" him,  I will fill you in on what I learn!

 

The Invisibles

     Yesterday on my way home from the ski slopes after a satisfying week having fun in a variety of conditions, I began thinking about all the personnel behind the scenes supporting us at the Greek Peak Ski Resort. Not only that personnel, but all the personnel that operate in that mode at ski resorts around the US and the world. I'll confess that I do not routinely appreciate all the good people that contribute to my fun on the slopes.

    As I thought about the support people, I tried to bring up the various responsibilities people have to keep the slope operating. When I walk in each morning, I note that the parking lot is plowed, the walks are sanded and most of the doors are open. Some folks have been out in the early dawn to crank things up.  Often when I walk in there are several people bustling about mopping the floors, cleaning the rest rooms and completing maintenance tasks. I notice that and one lady really go a smile the other day when I applauded her for her dedication to the menial tasks that make things go. (My reward was a wonderful smile on her face that I recognized what she was doing).

    Regarding the maintenance of the slopes, there are the night owl groomer operators smoothing my way each day. Mostly invisible to the skiers, but essential to providing a good experience for the guests. During the snowmaking days, there are crews of snowmakers operating through the night providing us with fresh surfaces well into the latter part of the season.  

    Lift operators are more visible. Especially the loaders. However, there are others in more obscure locations at the top and bottom for our safety. Speaking of lifts, I am sure there is a cadre of mechanics that are on tap to check out the mechanics of lift and maintain the back up safety devices. On the topic of safety, I should not fail to recognize the many volunteer ski patrollers that dedicate themselves to keeping us safe and aware of hazards. I am sure that we often forget that local ski areas rely heavily on their input to supplement the paid patrollers.

    Finally, I am sure I have not identified all of the invisibles. On the business side there has to be a cadre of clerks, accountants, managers and so on making decisions that keep our favorited resort going.  

    Meanwhile, those of us who identify as more senior skiers reap the benefits of all who attend to making our ski experience the best possible. May I suggest whenever we encounter those who operate in the invisible background that we give them a thumbs up!

"I Ski Better Than I Walk"

     In a recent newsletter about Senior Skiing over 50+  I read about a lady who suffers from cerebral palsy saying exactly what I wrote as the title for this piece.  She was skiing with a friend and when asked about her experience with the disease, the quote above was her response. It particularly struck me in the heart since that is exactly where I am in my journey with an arthritic back. Right now I struggle with the walk out to the lodge and the walk out to the slopes.  Frankly, though I don't want to admit it, it sometimes hurts like hell!  However, when I click into the bindings and get to the lift, all that pain disappears. I am so grateful that I still have the chops to ski with some modicum of grace.  There has been some decline in my skills and I know enough to predominantly ski the blues and greens but overall life on the slopes is a ball.

    I am quite sure there are many octogenarians and nonagenarians out there who are experiencing the same or other challenges as well. In conversation with some of them I often hear of ills that they carry with them and overcome them when they hit the slopes.  One never knows the complete story of each persons life story.  Thankfully we find ways to struggle through our setbacks and keep on chugging along.  Every day one can encounter new challenges that throw your for a loop.  Hopefully one can muster up the resilience to deal with them.  I am trying to embrace that advice as I close this blog today.  

    Having had some medical issues, I am in a quandary whether I will qualify for my driver's license renewal in April of this year.  The thought of losing the freedom of driving has been a challenge.  So, with the help of my dear wife, I will either get a renewal or learn to cope with my transportation needs.  Good news is that my wife has promised to drive me to the ski area as needed!  What a relief!

Life Stories

    In conversation with my wife today after a day of skiing I related to her a summary of many encounters with people on the lift rides.  Normally I am riding with a couple of buddies but today was essentially a solo day for me.  Thus I had a chance to chat with a lot on new people. I often laugh with my wife about the six minute interviews I do with my new companions, the approximate lift ride time. This leads to the revelation that both my main summer and winter activities expose me to a multitude of life stories!  Winter on the lift is the one venue and being a guide docent at a local museum is the other venue for people sharing their life stories one way or another. It is a wonderful gift to me to hear a tremendous variety of experiences of people all over the United State and even the world.

    As a skier now approaching his 91st birthday I am considered somewhat harmless and people seem happy to open up to me.  With a few strategic questions the new companions open up to me almost as if I am a counselor!  Often the skiers wonder at my longevity on the slopes and ask me what my "secret" is. Truthfully there is no secret except to remind everyone that much of it is unexpected good fortune plus having  physical and social activities. Everyone you might encounter has an enriching life story to tell if you are a good listener.  This will enrich your life and give you a broad perspective of what it is to journey through this life on earth.  

To my readers, I wish you great opportunities to hear a multitude of life stories from the strangers that you encounter.  Just listening can be entertaining and sometime healing for both of you. Each day is an adventure on the slopes both in the social and physical sense.  Savor it since no one knows what the next day will bring.