Merry Christmas, 2018

/ ridingwithgary

Hey everyone. Merry Christmas.

No Harley rides today. So why am I blogging?

Today, I received a pretty awesome Christmas present, even better than riding my motorcycle over Independence Pass. Christmas is generally not a big deal to me. Today it was.

Today, I taught my first ski lesson in 46 years.

Last time around, it was at the Alf Engen Ski School in Alta, while I was a student at the University of Utah in the early 1970s. Today, I’m part of the 7-17 Kids Division at the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass.

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On Christmas Eve, I had my final “training” day. On the right is one of my favorite students, Mimi Dora. That’s me on the left.

After several weeks of training, and a few audits, I was paired today with two 10-year-old girls, one from Chicago and one from Birmingham, Alabama. They started the day as “Level 1” students — beginning skiers. They ended the day as “strong Level 2” skiers. They were good kids, and gave me exactly what I wanted out of a ski lesson: the satisfaction of knowing I’d helped them, at least a little bit.

I hope I was able to make a difference in their lives. At this point in my life, that’s what this late-in-life career change is all about: helping others develop a passion for skiing as I once did. That’s how it all began for me, when I was 10, as I took lessons at Squaw Valley, California, the week after the 1960 Olympics.

It’s a pretty special opportunity I’ve been given by the Aspen Skiing Company, and I’m immensely grateful for it.

Today’s lesson was a joyful Christmas gift. Thank you, Santa.

***

Oh, and here’s what Sarah’s day looked like.

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Sarah, at her office at the Treehouse in Snowmass. Note the fashion statement: blending the official AspenSnowmass uniform, with Christmas PJs.

She’s working at Snowmass, too, in the “Treehouse,” the hub of children’s ski school operations.

It’s pretty darn cool that Sarah and I have a new “family business.”

Our driveway is snow covered, and there’s probably not a Harley ride in my future for a few months … and yet … life’s pretty darn good.

Happy Holidays!

50 thoughts on “Merry Christmas, 2018”

  1. I have been thinking about you the last couple weeks as snow has been pilling up. So glad both of you have found a spot to keep you off the streets and having fun. We walked the beach and tomorrow will do the boat thing. Clay , Sarah and the boys arrive in a couple days. Suppose to be 81 on Saturday so they will be excited. Happy New Year. Looking forward to summer there.. Bill

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    • Hi Bill (and Mary, of course). Yes, we’re not on the streets much. Don’t have time for that. Please hug Sarah, Clay and the boys for us. Here’s what I’m not clear about: Bill is gonna be 81 on Saturday? I thought he was my age. Well, he looks great for 80. And Happy Birthday, Bill! See you next summer.

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    • It’s all your fault, Jorge. I think I read that on this blog last year. Thanks for the push, and for getting me to the starting line. We should carve a few turns some time 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and Rachel. Loved the pic on your Christmas card (Hawaii?).

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      • No skiing in Henderson. But loving the night skies. Me Harley has been bitching loud at me for hanging in the garage in SoCal and now Nevada. Going to take her out this week for a long ride. So many options. Oh. And not snowed in. Not sorry. 😊😎

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  5. Wow – you two don’t let the grass – or should we say – the snow melt under you!
    It is great you both have a new profession and loving it.
    Can you teach 2 70 plus year olds with bad knees to ski again?? We do miss the sport.
    We are at Pelican Hill Resort for Christmas this year deciding to be waited on instead of hosting Christmas at our home again this year. Golfing is our sport now.
    We hope you both have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy (no falls while skiing) new year!!
    Best always, Barb and Jim

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    • Pelican Hill? Wow, that’s awesome. We may have forgotten how to play golf, but can probably ski till we’re 100. Hi to all the gang. Oh, and regarding lessons for 70-year-olds. Not gonna happen. I’m only qualified to teach 7-17. Get some fake ID, and maybe we can talk about it.

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  6. “Very Cool” is right…pretty lucky students, we’d say (both on the hill and at the Treehouse!). Congrats to both of you for continuing to “soar” by enjoying new endeavors…our loss is certainly your students’ gain! Hoping for a “desert visit” sometime this winter-miss you! Xox Marde and Ole

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  7. Outstanding Christmas Day by any measure. You both have the heart of “givers” and that’s something special to be a part of. So glad those young skiers got to benefit, too. Merry Christmas, Colorado- it’s like you never left the Rockies 😉.

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    • Hey Curtis … Sidney and Aidan are right in my wheelhouse (7-17). You and Jody, not so much. So come on out to Colorado, and we can make some turns. Hope you guys had an awesome holiday.

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  8. Congrats Gary……………..Enjoy those kids!
    What a great way to give back, those kids are so lucky
    Keep being you, Happy Holidays to you and Sarah!

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  9. Greeting Sarah and Gary,

    What a wonderful opportunity for you both! Sounds like a great fit for you both, especially with the positive attitudes you both possess.

    Blessings upon you both now and in the New Year.

    Warmly,

    Donna Holliday

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  10. Merry Christmas to you and Sarah! It sounds like you’re both having a blast in your new careers. I look forward to blowing the dust off of the Harley and going for a scoot as soon as we get a warm day or two. Be safe and have fun.

    Cheers,
    Scott

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  12. How wonderful. Great to hear of what you both are doing. Clearly a gift for you both as well as for kids, young and old.
    Happy New Year,
    Linda

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  13. Merry Christmas dear Gary and Sarah. How wonderful that you can share your passion of skiing and inspire young people. What is Sarah doing in The Treehouse? Sounds like fun and I love her “work outfit”. We are in MN but headed home tomorrow IF the big storm only dumps rain on us and not snow. It has been pretty mild so cannot really complain. Only a teeny weeny bit of snow on the ground. Happy healthy 2019 and we will see you at some point this next year ( I know you just cannot wait😜).

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    • Happy Holidays, Judith. We are loving CO. Here, it gets cold and snows, like in Minnesota, but the snow here has a purpose. Not sure we’re gonna make it to the desert this year. We were planning a trip in January, but stuff came up and now it looks like we’ll be wintering in Carbondale. Remember when I hated it when people used “winter” as a verb. Sounds so pretentious. I still hate it, so pretend I didn’t use it that way a few sentences ago. Hi to Jeffrey.

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  14. Great blog and pics. Thanks for sharing Gary.

    On Tue, Dec 25, 2018 at 5:31 PM Riding With Gary wrote:

    > ridingwithgary posted: “Hey everyone. Merry Christmas. No Harley rides > today. So why am I blogging? Today, I received a pretty awesome Christmas > present, almost better than riding my motorcycle over Independence Pass. I > felt like sharing a few words about my day. Today, I tau” >

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  15. I do have a question:
    I went skiing about 3 years ago and discovered you have to wear helmets.
    Is that a law or an insurance decision and when did that happened?

    Signed
    To Old To ski 🎿

    Sent from my iPhone

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    • So ….. Randy. Your question is a good one. I hadn’t skied for 17 years, and back then, nobody wore helmets. Then, famous people skied into trees and killed themselves (Sonny Bono!), and everything changed. Was a bit of an adjustment for me, but the helmet keeps my head warm, and if Sarah throws anything at me, it hurts a little less. And, Mr. Too-Old-To-Ski … you can’t be too old, cuz I’m three years older than you, so do the math, buddy. Hugs to Jo.

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  17. Gary, Gary, Gary….

    Such a delightful post and pics. I really didn’t quite understand the depth of emotional attachment your ski instructing has for you…..BUT I sure do get it now!! Good on both of you for finding rewarding things to do as others of us snuggle around fireplaces and slug down eggnog.

    Hope your teaching on the slopes continues to foster great memories and that the kids that get the privilege to hang out with you for a day or so are internalizing experiences they will always cherish and remember.

    GO ski bunnies!!!!!

    Much love and Happy New Year!!

    Eldon

    >

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  19. Happy Holidays G-Man and Weezie!
    What a great blast from you about sharing your gift. Thank you for sharing the new Murr/Lesser grand adventure❤️
    BTW – you be stylin’

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    • I did not see this coming. Two years ago, Christmas in the desert, golf golf golf. Skiing was a distant and long-forgotten memory. And now this. Who knew? Happy Holidays to the Vennes family. Is the house empty again?

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  21. Happy Nee Year 🙂
    So exciting to follow vicariously in your snow prints!!
    I only fell twice@Squaw today!!!in twenty minutes!!! Lol
    Will be near in April, hoping to give a Hugg
    Love
    Pegg

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  22. Happy 2019
    I only hope to share the passion and joy you two exibit on a daily basis in your life.
    New beginnings are so very exciting:) ❤️

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  23. Love this Gary…you guys are awesome and I know you are the best ski instructor ever! I’m sure you made a lasting and fun memory for those 2 young ladies.
    Hugs to Sarah and Happy New Year!! Miss you guys! ❤️

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  24. Thanks for the kind words, V. I am not the best ski instructor ever, but I probably AM the oldest ever New Hire instructor at AspenSnowmass (kind of a lame claim to fame, but it’s turf I’ll have to stake out). Miss you guys, too. It’s gonna be 0 degrees tonight in Carbondale. Brrrrrrr!

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  25. Gary and Sarah, We’re so glad to hear from you, and so happy that you are engaged in such satisfying activities!    We are envious – – wish we could be on the slopes, or at least in the snow like you are.   Well, maybe not on some of the coldest days (even tho we are both from the northeast, we have been in California for a long time). Happy New Year and we wish you more new adventures in the coming year! Dave has a son in Boulder, CO;   so we plan to head in your direction sometime.   We will be sure to swing thru and see your great-looking home!

    Dave and Lorraine

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    • Hey Dave and Lorraine… great to hear from you. Miss you guys. Did not know Dave had a son in Colorado. If you guys fire up the 50-foot RV and head for the Rockies, please plan to stay with us in Carbondale. You’ll love it. We sure do! Vroom, vroom …

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  26. Congrats Gary. I recognize that jacket. Katharine taught there for four year and often had the little ones. Plus she worked for the ski school. I’m surprised you’re not an ambassador Enjoyed skiing on Buttermilk with them

    Enjoy seeing photos of your new home. We’re still very active in Everett Yacht Club and headed south to Arizona for February March. Cheers to 2019 and hey to Sarah!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  27. Hey Debbie, I seem to recall you talking about Katharine teaching at Snowmass. Seems like you mentioned that when we decided to move to Carbondale. Didn’t she live here, or somewhere nearby? Yep, it’s a very exclusive jacket. Only about 1,200 of us have one! Ambassadors are generally people who want to volunteer a day a week to get free skiing. That’s so not me. Many of the people I teach with are young, and are working at least two other jobs besides being instructors. I tell them I also have two other jobs: my pension and my Social Security check. Life’s good. Great to hear from you.

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