November-December 2006

"No. 1 Ski Event of 2006"

December 31, 2006

The greatest accomplishment on skis in 2006 didn’t happen in Turin, Italy or at Aspen’s X-Games. In my opinion, it happened on the world’s tallest mountain, Everest.

Kit DesLauriers, a Westport, Mass. native, stepped to the top of Everest this October and into the history books as the first female to summit Everest and ski down. She hiked the 29,035-foot mountain with her husband Rob, then clicked into her skis and carved down the 40-50 degree pitches of ice.

At age 37, Kit, who resides in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is the reigning World Freeskiing Champion. Her conquest of Everest also makes her the first person to ski from the summit of the highest peak on each of the seven continents.

DesLauriers’ credentials now read like a top ten things you should achieve to be admitted into the ultimate athlete hall of fame. She’s a Wilderness EMT, a Professional Ski Patrol with Rescue 3 International and Helicopter Rescue Certification. She has rescued numerous mountaineers, jumped from helicopters, rappelled cliffs, and starred in extreme ski films. Kit is a veritable Charlie’s Angel snow action figure.

In addition to all her adventures, DesLauriers operates a landscape business in Jackson Hole. This girl rocks (I couldn’t resist the pun). My conversation with Kit last week left me thinking how humble and grounded she is, despite her high-elevation achievements.

To say Kit is my mentor is a stretch. Those who know me, know I prefer lift service over climbing, groomed packed powder over raw mountain ice and rime, and posh slopeside lodging over 7-weeks in an oxygen-deprived tent with no running water. I do not wish to walk in her footsteps up any of the highest peaks of the seven continents. But she has my total admiration and awe. What she endured chills me to the core.

This fall I heard firsthand from adventurer Bill Yeo, of Durham, Maine, his Everest account. He explained the rigors of 17,500-foot base camp, and the cold hard realities of climbing passed preserved frozen corpses.

Kit DesLauriers said, “I think we were all scared at a certain point, but that’s how you keep your focus.” Kit described skiing Everest, “The Inuit’s have 200 words for snow, and when you ski at such high elevation, you encounter them all. Each turn is totally different and the snow and ice and weather are constantly changing. So you have to make each turn like your life depends upon it.”

I have my own ideas about must-make turns and no-fall zones, and they don’t begin to compare with Kit’s degree of difficulty. In fact, I am anxious just thinking about attending one of her women’s clinics this winter. But it is on my list of things I would like to do.

I grew up skiing in Vermont, and watched as a starry-eyed schoolgirl as the dynamic DesLauriers brothers tore up the slopes at their family-owned ski area, Bolton Valley. They skied the trees before glades were on the trail map, and definitely introduced the concept of extreme skiing to kids in the Green Mountain State, along with brothers Dan and John Egan who were up to similar tricks at Sugarbush. These four starred in numerous Warren Miller ski films, and went on to coach extreme ski clinics around the globe together.

I mention these downhill duos because Kit married Rob DesLauriers in 2000, making the ultimate ski couple. The two met in Siberia on a mountaineering expedition. She now hosts her women’s ski clinics along with the aforementioned XTeam skiers.

If you would like to ski with this most accomplished fall-line female, check out Kit’s Women’s “Turn It Up" clinics at California’s SugarBowl Feb. 17-18 and Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming March 8-11, 2007. Kit had to cancel her January clinic at Grand Targhee, she tweaked her knee surfing in Mexico (after returning from Everest unscathed).

Kit told me her clinics are geared toward advanced intermediate to expert skiers. “I am not interested in teaching women to huck cliffs. I don’t push anyone beyond what they’re comfortable with. I want to help women turn up their skiing at whatever level they’re at.”

DesLauriers said, “A lot happens in the 3-day clinics. We start the day with yoga to connect the mind, body and spirit, and do everything from skiing together to touring in the backcountry from yurt to yurt.”

I tip my hat, goggles, and skis to Kit DesLauriers for going where no woman (or man) has gone before. Any ladies want to join me for her clinic?

"Ultimate Ski Mom"

December 24, 2006

It is often said people get into the ski business because of the skiing, but they stay in the business because of the people.

Mary Kent was the kind of ski area owner that made people want to stay. Ironically, Mary was not a skier, but she was the heart of Eaton Mountain Ski Area, even described as “everyone’s ultimate ski mom.” She was co-owner of Eaton in Skowhegan with her husband Eugene. Mary Kent , age 51, died earlier this month after a long battle with cancer.

Eaton Mountain will be open for skiing this winter; continuing to spin their double chair, but the loss of Mary will be felt throughout the Kent’s owner-operated ski hill.

“Most people knew Mary for her warm homemade soups in the lodge on a cold winter’s day of skiing, and her even warmer smile,” said Brad Smolin, Ski Patrol Director of Eaton Mountain. “Mary was at Eaton for all the high school races. If school kids came in the lodge but didn't have the money for a hot chocolate or a grilled cheese, Mary would say, “Don't worry about that, just enjoy the day and stay warm.”

Smolin, Patrol Director for the past 9 years, said, “Mary had the biggest heart and cared for everyone that passed through the doors like they were family. Mary treated me just like I was part of the family from the day I started 11 years ago. No matter what was going on in her life, she always tried to make everybody else's life happier.”

The Kents have had their difficulties running the 622-foot vertical ski mountain in Skowhegan over the past 14 years, far above the usual ski area operators’ concern for cold temperatures and snowfall to cover key terrain. Two years ago, a fire broke out and destroyed the ski area garage, lounge and the Kent’s family home. Due to the Kent’s dedication to the small ski area, and donations from locals and equipment loaned from surrounding ski areas, Eaton was able to stay open. Throughout these challenges, Mary Kent was also quietly battling breast cancer.

“Mary Kent was a very strong and caring woman. Although she battled cancer and pain for years, she always put her suffering behind her so that she could get back to the ski area to be with her extend family - the skiers and snowboarders at Eaton Mountain,” said Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of Ski Maine.

“When Mary asked you ‘how are you today, dear?’ it wasn't just a conversation starter, it was a genuine question. She loved to hear what others were doing. I think that by surrounding herself with healthy, active people at the ski area, Mary was able to experience life through them - the very life that was being taken away from her,” said Sweetser.

“The Kent’s have struggled to keep the mountain afloat in these hard seasons. The ski industry in general has been tough, the fire hurt them and now Mary’s passing has been a great loss. But the people who grew up skiing Eaton are helping out. There are lots of people who volunteer at Eaton,” said Smolin, who heads up the 25 member volunteer patrol.

Eaton is open weekday afternoons in winter, the local ski team practices daily after school and Eaton hosts races on certain weekends in addition to being open for families to enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the 18 trails, or snowtubing in the park. “Hopefully Eaton Mountain will still stay afloat as we go forward. Gene Kent even has plans to build a new lodge. Eaton is a small family-owned Maine mountain and we need to keep it that way,” said Smolin.

At this holiday time, we should be grateful for our loved ones, and for those who work in the ski industry - not for huge dollars - but for the huge smiles and the joy of sharing the camaraderie of this special sport.

December 17, 2006

Imagine reaching 27,000 Maine kids, and getting them all outside in winter. It’s no small task to engage today’s youth, to draw them away from video games and the Mall.

Well, that is exactly what WinterKids, the non-profit organization based in Portland, Maine, is doing in its tenth year.

“Too many kids in Maine sit on the couch watching TV, and eating Cheetos in the winter. We just want to change that and get our kids outside enjoying healthier activities during Maine’s longest season,” said Carla Marcus, Executive Director of WinterKids.

“Kids in this past generation have become inactive and the rate of obesity and related illness is epidemic. We are not the worst offenders here in Maine, but we are right up there on the list,” said Dr. William W. Dexter, Sports Medicine Program Director at Maine Medical.

Dexter serves on the Board for WinterKids. A cast of 16 directors and advisors volunteer their time to carefully administer the WinterKids budget of $300,00 from grants and sponsors including Hannaford Supermarkets, L.L. Bean, Weight Watchers, and TDBanknorth.

Dexter said, “There are some great people involved in WinterKids. I got involved with WinterKids because it fits my ethic. I have been skiing all my life, and my background is in medicine and physical fitness.” Dexter also served on the Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness.

Dexter said he is a first hand believer in WinterKids, all three of his children received their ski free passports in school (free skiing passports are distributed to Maine grades 5, 6, and 7). “We are a WinterKids family, we enrolled all our kids and used the passports extensively. I like that the passport includes skiing discounts and benefits for the parents and siblings, it’s a critical part of the success.”

Jeff Aceto of Durham has been skiing since age 3, he loves to ski so much, he’s taught skiing at Sugarloaf for 16 years aside from his professional engineering career. “I am a WinterKids board member because I am convinced we really make a difference in Maine families’ lives. WinterKids encourages kids to be active outdoors, the motivation is fun, but the benefits to health and personal growth over a lifetime are hugely important.”

Aceto takes his neighbors’ kids to Lost Valley with their passports, since he doesn’t have children of his own yet. “It’s tremendous seeing kids come alive in an outdoor setting like that, having a great time, being active.” Aceto adds, “An O.K. day on the slopes is always better than a good day inside.”

If you have been living inside a Cheetos bag, and haven’t heard about WinterKids or seen its animated snowflake ads on TV, go to WinterKids.org. Find out about how this non-profit provides free skiing for school age Maine children to 16 downhill ski areas, 19 cross-country ski centers, 11 ice arenas, 3 tubing and sledding parks and a dog sled center.

The passport is just one of seven WinterKids outreach programs. There are also workshops and curriculums for educators and a “Welcome to Winter” program for refugees and immigrants in Maine. These innovative WinterKids programs make the organization highly successful and much imitated by other states.

One of the best motivators is WinterKids’ World-class Athlete Tour. Imagine how “cool” it is to have Olympics skier Julie Parisien, Pro-snowboarders Anna Webber and Jake Levine, Biathlete Kristina Sabasteanski and World Class Figure Skater Alexa Ainsworth come to your school assembly and talk to you about life as a professional athlete.

“Bringing WinterKids to schools as part of their education, as well as providing free skiing programs, introduces kids to a healthy activity that they will want to maintain for a lifetime,” said Dexter, M.D. He said WinterKids now has 10 years of data to study and track the resulting health benefits.

32% of the participants in WinterKids are from low-income situations. These Maine kids are being exposed to a healthier lifestyle through snow sports, and otherwise may never have that opportunity to ski and would be at risk for obesity and other physical ailments due to inactivity all winter.

“We’re all about changing lifestyles,” said Carla Marcus. “And we have reached so many kids and their families. A ten-year-old doesn’t decide to change her lifestyle all by herself. She needs to bring her whole family and that’s part of what we do with our passport program, we include discounts for the parents and siblings, and rental and lesson opportunities. We need to keep getting the word out that these fantastic programs are available to all kids in Maine.”

Dexter said “Our state slogan Dirigo means ‘I lead,’ and with Maine’s WinterKids we are leaders.”

"On Slope Trends"

December 10, 2006

Skiing is a cutting edge sport, right? Just the nature of the equipment includes sharp metal edges. Like other sports, skiing continues to evolve, equipment improves, clothing styles update, and on slope activities are a bit different each year. While Maine may not be the epicenter of the sport, trends do make their way to our slopes, and some even originate here.

These are 10 things to look for, and to look out for on the slopes this season.

Skis are getting fatter. In the past two decades, skis have gone from long and straight to short and shaped – but now the trend is wider throughout, tip through tail.

As the lines have blurred between snowboarding and skiing, and more skiers are heading to the terrain parks, skis are widening to 110-130 millimeters, twin tipped and geared toward all-mountain terrain. Expert skiers used to gravitate toward a racing stock ski, and fat skis only came out on powder days (rare here in Maine). Now ski manufacturers are creating more versatile “freeride” boards that allow the skiers to go from carving high-speed arcs, to jibbing in the parks, to moguls and even powder. This is good news for those of us that want (and can only afford) one pair of skis.

While skis are getting fatter, snowboard apparel is trimming down. The unisex hooded jackets and baggy pants of the past are more tailored and technical this season, even sporting pinstripes and plaids. Perhaps riders tired of that “one size doesn’t fit all” look. The clothing crossover sure beats the divide between the two downhill sports of just a decade ago.

Ski names are sounding more and more like rap artists. With product lines like the Snoop Daddy, Sweet Mama, Sugar Daddy, Deviant and Thug, all skis made by Atomic, you wonder if you are at an MTV studio, not a ski shop.

Another trend is in start up ski and snowboard companies. Boutique board makers like Switch, Line, Prior, High Society, and the Claw (made right here in Maine), show that handcrafting skis and boards in your garage may be the start to something bigger.

Heads up, more and more skiers and snowboarders are wearing ear buds, and listening to tunes on their MP3s. Clothing manufacturers Spyder and Burton are designing audio suitable jackets to accommodate players and phones. Helmets can be purchased decked out with audio packages. I think this development is deafening and dangerous, but my kids think I am old fashioned. I believe skiing is social, and should involve talking with your chairlift neighbor. Turns out you have quite a bit in common with this fellow snowlover, perhaps you have some tips to share or wisdom to gain during the ride. I also have my concerns that skiers will tune out important sounds and warnings from other skiers if they are tuned in to their iPod.

Terrain parks are becoming friendlier. Recognizing that pipes and parks are veritable magnets for munchkins on skis and snowboards, Maine ski areas including Mt. Abram, Lost Valley, and Shawnee are building “kinder, gentler” parks for entry level on up. Progressional parks are the name of the game now, and hopefully park users will stick to the right size tricks for their ability.

 

Sunday River and Mount Abram just got closer. While the mountains didn’t actually move, skiers can circumvent downtown Gray on the much-anticipated $8 million bypass to Route 26, shaving minutes off value travel time to the slopes.

Car-pooling is all the rage amongst skiers and riders. More people are commuting to the slopes together. With fluctuating gas prices and driver density on the rise, it only makes sense that skiers fill the SUVs and share stories from the slopes along the way. (Author note: this is not an actual proven trend – but it should be).

The British are coming. Tour operators report that in 2005-06, British skiers invaded North America more than other European and Canadian destinations, sighting their strengthened dollar and our English-speaking culture as appealing factors. A visit to Sunday River last April was proof in the pudding as British school groups were ever-present.

In case you haven’t heard, the slopes are warming up. 19 of the 20 hottest years on record have occurred since 1980, according to the National Ski Area Association (N.S.A.A.). Worldwide temperatures warmed a full degree in the last century. These are alarming climate changes for the $3 billion ski industry that relies on natural snow, or at least cold temperatures for snowmaking, to placate 11.5 million skiers and riders in the U.S.

“Keep Winter Cool” is the N.S.A.A. initiative launched to encourage ski areas to purchase green energy (solar, wind). Ski resorts in the U.S. currently purchasing green energy result in saving the equivalent of 12-million trees. Here in Maine, four areas are greener (not due to lack of snow) by utilizing clean, renewable wind following western resorts like Aspen and Vail. Big Rock, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River are purchasing wind power to offset energy used on the mountain.

These are just few trends you will encounter on the slopes, where I hope to see you and copious quantities of snow too.

"Early Season Turns"

December 3, 2006

While many Mainers were bagging bargains at the Mall last weekend, downhill devotees were carving their first turns of the ski season. While the snow wasn’t exactly billowing over their shoulders (not even close), Sunday River and Sugarloaf skiers were bagging early runs on entirely machine made snow.

Global warming seems very real when Maine ski areas miss their projected opening dates, and struggle to blow snow in balmy late November temperatures. Last weekend’s weather was sunny and 50-degrees on the slopes, a rare spring skiing day before winter even starts. Sugarloaf opened Nov. 20, the first resort in New England, while Sunday River followed the next day on Nov. 21 (11 days later than anticipated).

Most skiers wait for the getting to get good, for trail counts to top ten or even twenty. I have always been in that category, not feeling an overwhelming need to be first, and not really wanting to scratch my edges, or muddy my ski outfit (risks you take in November). That’s why it is so ironic that I chose this “winter” to make early tracks - and was then disappointed two weekends in a row when Sunday River and then Sugarloaf couldn’t open as scheduled.

But what I found at Sunday River last weekend was very good coverage on several trails and some really enthusiastic skiers on the limited terrain.

Larry Graham of Yarmouth has been skiing Sunday River since he was a kid, “By Thanksgiving, there is usually a lot more open, but the snowmakers and groomers have done a very good job, and it keeps getting better everyday as they make more snow and open more terrain,” said Graham.

Diane Schipp and Jane Forrer of Cohasset, MA, drove all the way to Sunday River to find snow. “We usually ski at Attitash. Our kids went online and convinced us to bring them to Sunday River because there are seven trails and two lifts open, the most anywhere,” said Schipp.

“Our kids were so excited to ski, they have all new equipment and just couldn’t wait to get on snow. As far as they’re concerned its winter and its great,” said Forrer.

Sunday River had scheduled Demo days for last weekend, which had the potential to be demolition days with thin coverage and variable snow surfaces - not the ideal time to break out brand new boards. Brent Mohr of Eliot, the Stolkl ski representative said, “We’re not letting out our demo skis, the conditions are not optimal for testing new equipment. The variable snow conditions don’t provide a fair test. We hope to demo at Sugarloaf next weekend.”

Scott Gould, Sunday River ski instructor and Innkeeper of Bethel Hill BnB said, “In 13 years, I have never not been teaching on Thanksgiving weekend. But we can’t teach lessons without the South Ridge terrain open and the weather hasn’t allowed for that.”

“They have done a really good job considering it was 60-degrees this past week,” said Matt Hunt of Stratham, NH. “The only problem is it gets a little hairy with a lot of people on just a few trails and a small terrain park. ”

“The terrain park they have built on Monday Mourning is pretty good, with a couple of rails,” said Troy Murphy of Bethel, who has already skied everyday since Sunday River’s opening.

Brian Grossman of Dover, NH, said, “I suppose it depends upon what you are used to. I think the skiing is great. I am from Pennsylvania, so we don’t usually get to ski until after Christmas. It’s definitely worth coming up to Maine, and worth the lift ticket price, it’s much better than anything you ever get in the Poconos.”

So the folks who braved the slopes, not waiting for natural snow’s arrival, were greeted with decent top to bottom coverage, a chance to get the cobwebs off the equipment, and reintroduce those lapsed muscles to the rigors of skiing.

It is also a chance to see familiar faces, people you only encounter in your ski lives. And in November, you see primarily the die-hards of the sport. Of course, you could argue that the real hard-core skiers already skinned up snowcapped mountains during those October frosts with Telemark skis and poached their hard earned turns.

I admire the absolutely anxious alpiners, checking the ski area websites daily, then lining up at 7:00am on ski area opening day. These same fanatics stage parking lot tailgates as if at the Patriots stadium, eager to show their latest gadget and this year’s goofy season pass picture. These are the people who dream of snow all summer long but can’t budget a trip to ski Chile in August or Mt Hood’s glacier in June.

I witnessed a group of “regulars” riding the Barker Quad at Sunday River as they hollered kudos to snowmakers working below; they were feeling the fall line love. My kids are embarrassed when I give a thumb’s up to groomers passing by. So I enjoyed watching this positive, appreciative exchange. It isn’t by magic that the snow appears on the slopes this time of year. Nor is it assumed that skiers will come out in worthwhile numbers to ski terrain as limited as one or two runs.

So here’s to the ski resorts and their makers of man-made “fnaux” (my daughter coined that term to describe fake snow) that allow us to ski and ride whether or not big flakes fall from the sky. And cheers to the early season skiers, prompting the resort to open sooner, and make the snow better and in bounty.

"Life on the US Ski Team”
November 26, 2006

Like supermodels and pro ball players, retirement age for US Ski Team members hovers around 30. Seems rather youthful, especially when the sport’s icons Warren Miller and Klaus Obermeyer are skiing well into their 80’s.

At age 29, Kirsten Clark of Raymond, Maine, is the eldest on the U.S. Team of 18 women. Entering her thirteenth year, she’s the most seasoned on the Alpine A Team, behind her in experience are Eric Schlopy and Bode Miller in years 12 and 11 respectively.

I caught up with Kirsten Clark at her home in Tahoe, California, prior to her departure for European glacier training leading up to her opening race at Aspen. On a typical non-snow day, Kirsten endures two rigorous dry land workouts of running, sprints, and strength building with weights – that has been her routine for more than a decade.

“I am not 100% sure if its my last season. I feel really strong and I am excited about this coming season. I want to get back on the podium, back where I was before my injury,” said Clark. Suffering a season-ending crash at a January 2004 World Cup in Austria, Clark has since undergone several knee surgeries. “I have worked really hard to get my strength and confidence back. I feel like I am almost 100%. As far as talk of retirement, I will assess my future in the Spring after the season is behind me.”

Clark’s career so far is impressive, including three Olympics, from Nagano to Salt Lake to Torino. On the US and World Cup tours, Clarky (her nickname) has won her share of medals and podiums in Downhill, Super G and GS. Clark is fast, small compared to other ski racing women, and quiet – preferring to let her skis do the talking. She is not big on the spotlight, she shines at speeds exceeding 70 mph in her favorite discipline, the Downhill. Clark won an unrivaled four straight US Downhill titles from 1998-2001, plus this past season’s US Downhill Championship at her home hill Sugarloaf.

Clark said about the event, “I hadn’t been back to Sugarloaf since they hosted the US Nationals back in 1997. It was such fun to be back at Sugarloaf, and finishing strong (winning the Downhill) in front of people I hadn’t seen since my C.V.A. days.”

Her teammate Daron Rahvles of Sugar Bowl, California, chose the season-ending event at The Loaf to officially retire from his 13-year ski team career.

“I will definitely miss Daron and his hard work ethic this year,” said Clark. Teammates Kristina Koznik, Bryna McCarty and Jonna Mendez also retired, while Sarah Schleper and Caroline Lalive are out for the season. “The older girls aren’t there for me this season, making me the oldest one on the women’s team. I am becoming friends with the younger girls, they are a lot of fun, and they’re fast. I don’t offer them advice, but I have a hard work ethic and they see that. There is one individual, Stacey Cook, who is a really hard worker, she busts her butt like I do.”

“On the men’s side, its great to have Marco Sullivan back, I can see him emerging as a leader, and Scott McCartney too,” said Clark.

When asked about Bode Miller, Clark said, “I have known Bode for a long time, we have been on the team since we went to CVA together,” Clark graduated the Carrabasset Valley Academy in 1995, a year ahead of Miller. “Bode has always said what he thinks, which is a great attribute and I respect that in a person. It’s a tough situation now that Bode is viewed by so many. He is a role model, so he needs to monitor what he says and be a lot more careful now.”

While Miller has changed sponsors numerous times in his career, (recently from Rossignol to Atomic to Head), Clark has stayed with Fischer skis.

“I have loyalty, and Fischer has been with me even when I haven’t been 100%. I am happy with the ski and I have a great technician. TDBanknorth has been awesome as my main sponsor, staying with me as long as they have.”

Loyalty is clearly a dual slalom for Clark. Every summer, Clark returns to Maine to host a training camp at her Alma Marta where she coaches young kids on dry land training and talks about ski racing in the big leagues. “The C.V.A. camp is such fun for me, the kids are super enthusiastic and eager to learn,” said Clark. While in Maine, she visits her parents in Raymond, and slips in some water-skiing.

Clark said she plans to continue the C.V.A. camps. “I hope to expand on these camps. When I retire, I want to travel to different areas offering camps. I see the potential of working with women too, helping them identify their strengths and become more confident in their skiing - we need more women in the sport.”

While Clark is touring with the Ski Team for months at a time, her husband, former World Cup racer and coach Andreas Rickenbacher, mans the home front in Tahoe. “It’s hard being away so much, but Andreas is extremely supportive of my goals. He gives me advice and I appreciate the experience he has.” Clark says he also takes care of their pets including a dog named Bode (strictly coincidence).

Entering what could be her final World Cup tour, Clark said, “There are certain resorts I really look forward to, especially Lake Louise (where Clark will race the World Cup Downhill and Super G Nov. 28-Dec. 3), and the World Championships in Are, Sweden in February."

Clark said, “I hope people in Maine will watch ski racing this season. We don’t get the attention that football or baseball do. But with Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso winning at the Olympics, I think the US Ski Team is turning heads, and it’s not just about Bode. I definitely like when people in Maine are cheering me on.”