The Ski & Snowboard Club of New York

Ski Trip Leaders

Profiles of some of our leaders

[ Under Construction ]

Mark

Back in the early eighties, after several dull winters as an adult, I needed to find a way to enjoy the snow like I did when I was a kid. Since I was an avid cyclist and very involved with AYH, it was only natural that I turn to AYH Ski trips. I learned to cross-country ski under the guidance of several great instructors (some of whom are still active with the Ski Club). I spent several years enjoying those trips and improving my skills.

jpg In 1991, after years of leading trips for the AYH Bike Committee, I figured that I could lead and instruct for the Ski Club. Some training from Ski Club Leaders, and a PSIA-Nordic certified instructor, got me on my way. It has always been satisfying (and often entertaining) to take a group of first-timers and watch them go from stiff, timid stumblers to comfortable, energetic skiers.

For my own advancement, I've joined some of my Ski Club friends in telemark and downhill skiing. I continue to work on my skills as I lead Ski Club trips.

On one recent trip, a few of us played a game that I think is the most fun I've had on snow - let's call it Human Slalom. A group of 6 - 12 skiers ski down one-by-one, each one stopping just a little farther than the last, making turns between each standing skier (sort of like leap-frog) as they go. Then each skier at the top of the line skis down, turning between everyone, and stopping after the last. This continues all the way down to the bottom of the hill. It can be challenging as well as fun, and it gets the attention of other skiers along the way and on the passing lifts. I can't wait to do it again.

Marina

As a child, I did not "allow" myself to ski or engage in any physical activities other than those that would further my career as a professional ballet dancer. Skiing was something that other people did - not me; it was too risky (what if I fell and broke my leg?) and would develop the "wrong" muscles.

Then, when I was 17, I broke my leg in the dance studio while practicing a difficult variation. I began swimming as physical therapy, but I never regained enough motion to dance again and the thought of doing anything remotely close to dance was painful. I began engaging in "fun" sports - bicycling, roller skating, and ice skating - and re-learned how to enjoy moving without having to analyze and perfect every movement.

jpg After college, I took a job in the membership department at AYH down on Spring Street. Since everybody working there was involved in some kind of sport - biking, hiking, skiing - I had many friends who helped introduce me to the basics. Also, as part of our "training" on the job, we were required to go on a bike trip and a ski trip, so we would know what we were talking about when customers came to ask about them. I was soon signing up for every hike/bike and ski trip at AYH, and within a few years became a PSIA Nordic Certified Ski instructor.

That was the beginning of a lifelong involvement with outdoor sports. Since then, I have been on many long-distance bike tours, both solo and with friends, have skied on week-long backcountry tours, and have kayaked in Alaska and British Columbia. Almost twenty years later, I am still involved with the Ski Club and continue to enjoy making new ski friends and taking on new challenges. Although I have skied many of the same trails countless times, each time I discover something new and different that always rejuvenates me, whether it's sharing a good laugh with friends after making spectacular face plant, or managing to skate a "blue" trail without feeling I'm going to expire, or just enjoying the quiet beauty of Nature, so noticeably absent from my life in New York City. Skiing allows me to be a child again, to enjoy what is and not to think too much. Skiing is FUN!!!

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