Skiers and snowboarders are a patriotic bunch. In fact, Titus Mountain will host its sixth-annual Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
Once again, they will offer a complimentary day of skiing or riding to all active, in training and retired members of both the United States and Canadian Armed Forces. If that isn't enough, they will offer the same opportunity to their immediate family members. Titus is a fun, family-oriented mountain and they obviously value the heroes who fight for our freedom. Sound wisdom!
Whiteface Mountain, the historical training ground for the 10th Mountain Division, certainly has had its share of military heritage. However, the battle I recently observed there was for a coveted spot on the Olympic Ski Team. They hosted the World Cup Freestyle with international skiers competing in aerials, moguls and ski cross.
As we toasted our friend Lisa VanNatten's 29th birthday on the deck, the ski cross finals were under way nearby. My youngest son Anthony and I made our way through the crowd for a close-up of the finish line. Athletes fought their way over jumps, rollers and bank turns to beat their opponents through the treacherous course. Sound wisdom not withstanding, these skiers take thrills and spills to a whole new level.
The Winter X Games recently concluded from Aspen, Colorado with young athletes pushing the limits beyond comprehension. Most notably, skiers, snowboarders and snowmobiler's attained new heights of acrobatic feat as they twisted, turned and rotated high above the crowd of spectators. Shaun White, arguably the most noted snowboarder of all time, actually won the super pipe event after slamming his face on the wall during a practice run, sending his helmet flying through the air.
My good pal Bill Rowe is no stranger to sound wisdom. At 78 years old, Uncle Billy has skied down the slopes of Whiteface Mountain for well over 50 years. A legendary boat fanatic, this fossil on skis loves the frozen stuff, too. If I am lucky enough to live half the life he has lived, I'll be lucky enough.
If sound wisdom was a requirement for boarding a gondola, I'd have to use the rope tow. Nonetheless, my lift attendant friend Ray Murray allows me to pass through in the hopes that I'll become wiser on the next run. Luckily though, he measures wisdom in vertical feet and fully expects me to be an idiot every time I need a lift up the mountain. After all, the sooner the doors close, the sooner he can get a little peace and quiet and the sooner Darrel has to put up with me at the summit. Sound wisdom!
While we wait patiently for the Olympic Games to return to our Adirondack Region, perhaps we'll send the world a little reminder of our greatness. Andrew Weibrecht has trained his entire life on the slopes of Whiteface under the expert coaching at the New York Ski Educational Foundation. (NYSEF) His hard work has paid off and landed him a spot on the U.S. Ski Team where he will compete in British Columbia as an Olympian. Interestingly, my sister Carla taught school to Andrew and his brothers many years ago and the entire region is anxiously awaiting his Olympic debut. As a youngster, I remember watching Old Forge native, Hank Kashiwa, ski the slopes of McCauley Mountain on his way to international greatness many decades ago. Once again, the strength of our native families, the ruggedness of our splendid mountains and the greatness of our skiers has captured the world's attention.
If sound wisdom guaranteed you a seat on the chairlift to heaven, I'd have to take the shuttle bus. Luckily though, my good friend Msgr. Peter Riani could be the lift attendant for that ultimate ride and perhaps he'll wave me through out of pity. Like Bill, his age allows him to ski for free, although, it would be foolishly sinful to refer to him as a fossil. I saw him recently and asked him if he could pull some strings upstairs about our lack of snowfall. The soft spoken Priest replied, "I'd like to help you John, but I'm in sales, not management".
John Bernardi is an avid lifelong skier and freelance writer. He can be contacted through his website at www.slopesider.net.
