Page Title

Skiing and Toboggan Review 2002 - 2003.

Recapping a fantastic season that started early and ran late with some areas reporting over two hundred inches of snow and some of the best powder skiing PA has seen in years. We had some great events patrollers are still raving about: Skier Enhancement Seminars, Toboggan Enhancement Seminar, Women's Seminar, Senior Clinics and Senior Evaluation.

WAR sponsored six Skier Enhancement Seminars all or which were sold out. The word got out after last season's seminars and patrollers were lined up with money in hand Based on the level of instruction delivered by PSIA instructors Eric Anderson, Richard Frear, and Jim Pottinger, it's easy to see why the demand was extremely high. Attendees really learned how to ski shaped skis. You know the seminars are great when the most frequent comment from attendees is: "When is the next one?"

Five Senior S & T Clinics were held in the region: 7 Springs, Tussey, Laurel, Wisp, and Blue Knob. As promised, I hired a PSIA Level 3 or higher instructor to teach the skiing section for each clinic. The positive feedback was overwhelming. We'll do the same next season. You should attend one of these Senior S & T Clinics if for no other reason than working with PSIA's best instructors.

Western Appalachian Region held its first Women's Seminar Feb 1 & 2 at 7 Springs. Twelve women attended with skiing instruction ( three to one student instructor ratio) provided by a PSIA Trainer and toboggan instruction provided by Division and Region Toboggan Trainers. The event was a huge success with great instruction, shirts, hats, and a cocktail party. Women are queuing up for next season's seminar. WAR will sponsor at least two next season.

The Senior S & T Evaluation was held at Wisp on March 1 with nine candidates. Special congratulations to Bill Csikesz (7 Springs), Jonas Caremark (Canaan), and Bryant Hall (Canaan) for successfully passing both the skiing and toboggan portions of the exam. Congratulations to Sam Nicholson (Canaan), Bruce Merchant ( Hidden Valley), Connie Wolfe (Hidden Valley) for passing the skiing portion of the exam and Brad Tabs (7 Springs) for passing the toboggan portion.

Tele-skiers, we'll be sponsoring a Tele-Skiing Seminar next season. I've been polling the tele-skiers in the region and they are pumped for such an event.

Snow boarders, we'll be sponsoring a Snow Board Seminar next season. I've polled snow boarding patrollers and they are stoked for the seminar. I think this one will sell out as soon as I post it.

That's about it. Thanks for a great season and special thanks for all those who participated in the above event. Next season will be even better with more events: Skiing, Tele, Snow Board, Women's Seminars, Senior. Can't wait!!

John Toth

Western Appalachian Senior S & T Advisor

2352 Players Pond Lane

Reston, VA 201921

H - 703.437.0597

W - 703.484.5975

jtoth@cisco.com

1st Annual WAR - Eastern Division Women's Seminar A Success!!!!

By Anna Toth, Hidden Valley Ski Patrol

The cold winds and cloudy sky could not dampen the spirit of the participants in the First. WAR-Eastern Division Women's Seminar at Seven Springs February 1 and 2. A total of twelve participants representing various Region patrols braved the weather for the two day event, had a wonderful time, and took their skiing and toboggan handling skills to higher levels.

Each participant was part of a three person team rotating through the skills events consisting of skiing and basic patroller skills: side slip, snow plow, transition turn, and tail rope handling. (It's amazing how much you forget from your candidate days!)

Wendy Weichert, PSIA from Greek Peak, led the skiing skills instruction performing miracles with our transformation. At the end of the second day there were no slopes or conditions too difficult for us to handle. Plus, she had us ripping the bumps like Johnny Mosley! Ye-e-e-ha! For those who formerly skied passed moguls, Wendy instilled the confidence to try the bumps and actually enjoy the mogul skiing experience.

The teams of Ulana Bilynsky, TE from Bear Creek Ski Area; Jane Williams, TE from Wachusett Mt; Nancy Heller, TI from Blue Knob; and Ginny Sloan, TI from Hidden Valley took charge of toboggan handling skills. Under their instruction and patience, the fine art of toboggan handling was discovered. Using our new found skills, everybody's approach to toboggans changed from "lugging" to "finessing". Not only did we refine our handle and tail rope skills but learned better/easier ways to load and unload the chair with the toboggan. Those who were Senior level patrollers or Senior candidates challenged and refined their skills. My personal thanks to Ulana who had the patience not to rip the cross off my jacket as I dangled from the toboggan handles in the moguls!

The Saturday session ended with wine, food, great conversation, and dinner at the Laurel Mountain Inn.

My thanks to all who participated making this first Women's Seminar such a success! Special thanks to Dave Walker, Division S&T Advisor, for his help and direction organizing this event. Very special thanks to Seven Spring's Dick Barron and Robin Rifle for their help and outstanding hospitality making this a successful event.

After all was said and done the participants learned a lot, had a great time, and can't wait until next season for another Women's Seminar.