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American Ski Annual, 1938-39
* Lowell Skoog has a copy of each article marked with an asterisk.p. 35: Mills, David C., "California Pioneers on Skis" *
The author describes ski racing and, to a lesser extent, recreational skiing in the mining towns of the Sierra Nevada in the mid to late 1800s. He feels that California pioneers have not received the credit they deserve for starting competitive skiing "at least seven years before the Telemarkians gave their famous exhibition at Christiania" in Norway.
p. 82: Robinson, Bestor, "Camping on the Sierra Crest Ski Trail" *
In April 1938, the author and six others completed a reconnaissance, conducted over four winters, of the Sierra Crest Ski Trail, a 300-mile route from the northern end of the Sierra Nevada to Yosemite National Park. The author describes equipment developed for these trips, particularly tents and down sleeping bags. He notes that the trail has been marked for winter use and several huts have been established. He urges that the High Sierra primitive area, south of Yosemite, remain free of huts and trail markers, to serve as a winter wilderness.
p. 87: Dole, Charles Minot, "The National Ski Patrol" *
At the national downhill and slalom races on Mt Mansfield in March 1938, the sponsors enlisted the aid of seventy-five ski patrolmen from northern Vermont to patrol the course. Roger Langley, president of the National Ski Association, was impressed by the organization and suggested to the author that ski patrols receive some official recognition. Thus was born the idea of a National Ski Patrol. The author describes steps taken in the divisions of NSA to bring local patrols into the National system. He writes that the biggest problem of the new National Ski Patrol is to gain the respect and cooperation of the skiing public. For the first few years the number of patrolmen will be small and carefully chosen, so the skiing public will feel that these are picked men, meeting rigid requirements.
p. 123: Monahan, Robert S., "Skiing in the National Forests" *
Many of the traditional skiing centers in the U.S. are located within or in close proximity to National Forests. By the winter of 1936-37, it is estimated that over a million visits were made to National Forests by winter sports participants. In Washington and Oregon over 175,000 visits were recorded. The author describes Forest Service policies and activities regarding location of winter sports facilities, transportation, trails, jumps, tows, warming shelters, and overnight accommodations. He notes that present policy is to prohibit aerial tramway construction on National Forest land. When practical, ski tow operators are to remove their equipment during the summer. And in contrast to the way some ski areas operate today, "The operation of such installations in no way interferes with the free use of ski slopes by those who do not patronize the facilities."
p. 128: Photo by USFS, "In Olympic National Forest" *
Photo of a skier standing above a cloud filled valley, with snowy peaks in the distance, at Deer Park (fine, filed with Robert Monahan article).p. 131: Crookes, Darroch, "Skis on Alaska" *
The author was invited by Joe Werner, president of the Juneau Ski Club, to visit Alaska and "show the folks how skiing was done outside." He writes: "I probably didn't show them much they didn't know…but they showed me plenty I didn't know about Alaska prospects." He writes about ski trails and cabins recently developed in the Juneau area, and observes: "For those ski mountaineers who wish to have skiing and scenery on a 50-50 basis, there are thousands of square miles yet un-skied which begin a few hours back from recreational slopes." In a letter, Joe Werner explained: "The big reason why skiing has not progressed the way it has down below is that the towns are scattered and there is very little contact between them during the winter time." He hopes this can be improved by organizing the local clubs.
p. 134: Elkins, Frank, "Reviewing the 1937-1938 Season" *
A summary of competition results. In the East, snow conditions were only slightly better than the disastrous 1936-37 season. Conditions were good in the West, and Robert Stevenson, publisher of Western Skier in Seattle, reported: "As to skiing out here, it simply beats me just why such a potent thing has lain dormant and unnoticed for so long a while. This year things have simply gone wild. Every drug store in the country has either a pair of skis or a can of wax on its counters, trying to induce some of the lucrative ski trade! The only thing that seems to be arising in the way of a bad omen is the fact that the thing is getting to be so darned serious!"
p. 218: Sarchett, Max, "Snoqualmie Ski Bowl" *
The Parent Teacher Association, together with business college operator Samuel Racine and sportswriter Ken Binns, proposed a ski area accessible by train, which could be reached without subjecting skiers to the hazards of winter driving. They convinced executives of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul and Pacific Railroad to go along with the idea, and in the fall of 1937 a lodge, a 1,400 foot ski lift and other facilities were hastily built at Hyak. One train was scheduled each Saturday, reserved for Seattle high school students and sponsored by the PTA. Two trains were scheduled on Sundays, open to the general public. Over 11,000 people traveled to the Ski Bowl during the ten weekends the trains operated in 1937-38. Ken Syverson directed the ski school. Due to the rushed development, the ski hill and other facilities were rough the first season, but improvements to the slopes and lodge were made in the summer of 1938.
p. 220: Phillips, Daniel B., "Skiing in the Land of Legend" *
Mt St Helens is associated with legends of "Seatko's" or "Skookums," giant hairy beings who haunt the forests and travel only by night. In 1938, the highway into Spirit Lake was completed, opening up the area to southwest Washington skiers. During the summer, the Longview Ski Club constructed a modest lodge, accommodating about thirty people overnight, at timberline on the north side at 4,350 foot elevation. Ski destinations include the "Sugar Bowl" directly above the cabin, Dog's Head at 7,000 feet, and for touring, Ape Canyon and the Plains of Abraham. In the plates near page 192 is a photo of Mt St Helens from Spirit Lake with late winter snow cover.
p. 225: Langley, Roger, "Member Clubs" *
A list of all clubs in the National Ski Association. In the Pacific Northwest, twenty-four clubs are listed.
p. 233: Lincoln, Samuel, "Ski Areas in the United States" *
A series of maps showing each ski state in the country. Each map shows the location of ski centers, with each center coded as to the facilities provided--trails, tows, jumps, or open slopes. In Washington, ski destinations are shown at Mt Baker, Port Angeles (Deer Park), Snoqualmie Pass, Mt Rainier, Leavenworth, Cle Elum, Yakima, Mt Spokane. States on the east coast show a remarkable number of ski areas.
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