2017-2018 Far West Skier's Guide - 64-18

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when actually doing the physical event. For
example: a person can overcome fears such as
speed and navigating steep slopes.
After the national manual was completed*, we had a judged competition to select
six top skiers to represent the US to show off
our talents. I was one of the six on the US
Interski Team (Demo Team), however, I did
not make the top four that would travel internationally. We had one of our first exhibitions
at Vail. It included some of the top ski countries like Germany and France. The international four went on to Japan as their first stop.
One of the more unique things I was
asked to do involves a TV series. A Houston
television station wanted to do a series on skiing. They sent a crew to film and document
the teaching process over about a ten day period
to one of the fastest growing ski areas, Vail.
They brought a television personality who
had never skied with them. Vail selected me
to be the instructor. I essentially lived with
the crew and student for this time. It was
*I give my highest regards to the writer of the 1970s
American Ski Technique Manual, Horst Abraham, a
good friend totally dedicated to the ski industry.

TOP: Hike,
snowshoe or
crosscountry
ski along the
Flathead River.
LOWER: Or, visit
Lake McDonald.
There is plenty
to do at Glacier
National Park
during the winter
months and in
the summer.
photos / nps.gov

filmed, then cut for time and content, and
shown as a daily series in Houston and surrounding areas. We would start from breakfast through the day and have evening discussions in front of a fireplace in a beautiful condominium they had rented. As the programs
were aired, my private ski instruction calendar
really filled up quickly. Interest from the
Texas ski market really accelerated because of
this series.
I was also often asked to test new products. During the 1960's ski equipment changed
considerably - for the better. Howard Head's
metal ski was just a start! Boot maker Henke
put plastic over a leather boot shell for rigidity,
and to be waterproof. They even came in colors. You had a choice of either blue or red. I
was friends with Bob Lange with Lange Boots.
I tested proto-type boots not yet on the market
for Bob, as well as other products for other
ski manufacturers.
As an examiner for the Rocky Mountain
Ski Instructor's Association from 1972 until
1976, I came in contact with so many great
people who continued with their dedication
to improving skiing. However, I was also a re-

alist. I knew that everyone also needed to
earn a living. The ski industry associates and
the contacts I developed while teaching others
to ski, provided a successful career both in the
real estate industry and in the oil and gas industry. Skiing gave me those very special contacts! Along with obtaining a Colorado Real
Estate Broker's License, I also earned several
Security Exchange Licenses which enabled
me to raise money and create partnerships between my contacts for the development of
large construction projects. These projects
were in high demand as the ski industry was
in a dynamic growth spurt. I was in the right
place at the right time. I could never have
planned a life that I experienced. But, without that first pair of skis when I was eight
years old, my life would most certainly have
taken a different path. I owe it all to my skiing addiction and my love of the mountains.
There were numerous changes during the
1950s and 1960s. I was so fortunate to have
experienced them first hand! ss
Sources include: www.nationalguard.mil,
www.nsaa.org, skiinghistory.org, www.skimusuem.net,
www.snowbrains.com, www.snowpros.org, and
http://en.wikipedia.org

photo / Kandahar Lodge

The Kandahar - a Cozy Lodge close to Whitefish Mountain
Ski & Summer Resort & Glacier National Park
The Kandahar Lodge is located seven miles from the town of Whitefish and about 30 miles from the west entrance
of Glacier National Park. Its ski-in location on Whitefish Mountain provides the perfect access to over 3,000 acres
of excellent ski or board terrain. The resort's average annual snowfall is 300 inches. Great powder. Scarce lift lines.
Come back in summer to enjoy the numerous miles of rivers and streams, hundreds of hiking trails, a great
selection of mountain biking trails, zip lines, an alpine slide or a walk in the trees. Or, tee off at one of the ten
Championship golf courses. Don't forget the many concerts, festivals, live theater events and more! Come visit us!
64 - 18 Far West Skier's Guide 2O17 - 2O18 / Digital Edition Insert

http://www.nationalguard.mil http://www.nsaa.org http://www.skiinghistory.org http://www.skimuseum.net/ http://www.snowbrains.com http://www.snowpros.org http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.nps.gov

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2017-2018 Far West Skier's Guide