To the Editor:
Last ski season I lost my ski pass for skiing out of bounds at the resort. I have seen the error in my ways, and as part of an agreement with Jim Kennedy, I have written this letter to the Editor for the Turnagain Times. I believe this letter will make people to think before ducking a rope this season. I tried to keep it informative, but also humorous. Jim Kennedy has approved it. If you would, please, consider publishing it in the next issue of the Times?
Pow·der mange \?pau-d?r\ \?ma¯nj\ noun 1. A temporary and uncontrollable mental condition (bordering insanity) that causes ordinarily courteous and responsible skiers to blow off their friends and disregard authority in an obsessive and self serving quest to schralp fresh turns in powder snow.
Powder Mange. We’ve all had it, and dealt with the consequences in some way. Most of the time it manifests itself as “no friends on a powder day” and the consequences are an angry significant other. Occasionally, however, the consequences could be deadly if it causes you to take unnecessary risks in pursuit of fresh tracks. Last spring, I lost my season pass because of poor decisions related to powder mange. My experiences have reminded me to keep my mange in check. There is no way that three fresh powder turns are ever worth losing days of skiing and possibly your life.
When it dumps, your mange can easily convince you that if the snow is safe to ski on one side of the rope, it would be safe to ski it directly opposite the rope. If you take the time to think about it, this is not the case. The snowpack on the closed side of the rope is unconsolidated due to lack of traffic and avalanche control work. On the in-bounds side of the rope, the snow has been packed and controlled all season long. Crossing the rope is effectively stepping into the backcountry.
Ski patrol works extremely hard to keep many of the sickest outer areas open. When you ski out of bounds, it is disrespectful of their hard work. You are putting yourself, patrol and the mountain at risk. Patrol does not have a cure for the mange, but they care enough about your safety that they will pull your pass if you ski out of bounds.
There are millions of acres of untracked snow out there. If you have the know how, you can access this safely. Don’t ski out of bounds at the resort: take an avalanche class, learn what you are doing, and only then ski in the backcountry. Until then, spend the time getting to know the mountain well enough that you can find your own secret stash in-bounds.
Let’s work with patrol to keep our mountain safe and show them the respect that they deserve for working tirelessly during what just may be another epic snow year. We are truly lucky and should be thankful because Alyeska Snow Safety gives us ample opportunities to ski the best in-bounds terrain in the world.
Dave Magoffin
Girdwood, AK
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Ken Smith/Turnagain Times Joan Lower holds up the quilt she won in the Little Bear’s Quilt drawing. Lower is the longest serving member of Little Bears Board of Directors. |
To the Editor:
As a new year approaches many of us begin to look back at the year’s blessings. Little Bear’s Playhouse has been the recipient of multiple generosities from many community members. Little Bears’ staff and board of directors would like to extend a thank you to those community members who have donated their time, energy, and money. Last spring, Thalia Wilkenson volunteered her artistic energies and painted a beautiful mural in the front entry. This fall the Girdwood Goldstitchers donated a gorgeous quilt for raffle. We would like to thank Kate Chandler, Susan Opalka, Ally Goens, Cleary Donovan, Judy Onslow, Rory Hammel, Rebecca Reichlin and Liz Dow for all of their time and effort in making such a lovely quilt. Throughout the year, Spike and Suzanne Farley have purchased much needed food supplies and paper products. We truly appreciate all of those Costco runs Spike and Suzanne! Thank you to the Alyeska Resort for donating two powder passes and two child ski outfits for our holiday raffle.
We would like to thank the Byrne Family for your generous ongoing support and the recent donation of $5000 to sustain and improve programs that benefit the children and families of Girdwood. We appreciate your commitment to our community. There are countless others who have given their support through volunteer hours and donations. We thank you very much for your continuing support.
Little Bears
Girdwood, AK