Revive the Silver Skis Race?

[Jens]

Would the NPS ever let us revive the silver skis race from Muir to Paradise? I've seen some of the old footage and it is a hoot!

I don't know that my thighs could stay in a tuck all the way to the parking lot but it would be fun to try!

 

 

[Lowell_Skoog]

See the following links:

 

http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=2750

http://www.alpenglow.org/skiing/silver-skis-2005/index.html

 

You might also find these links interesting:

 

http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=5159.0

http://www.alpenglow.org/climbing/sigurd-hall-2006/index.html

 

The short answer is "don't ask, don't tell."

 

[chris]

Lets do it!!! As soon as the road opens - does anyone have news when the road opens?

 

Lowell, are there other ski races in the Cascades that don't occur anymore?

[Lowell_Skoog]

Lowell, are there other ski races in the Cascades that don't occur anymore?

 

The big one is the Patrol Race from Snoqualmie to Stampede Pass, which I believe you know about. See these links:

 

http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=4150.0

http://www.alpenglow.org/skiing/patrol-race-2004/index.html

 

There are probably many little races that have come and gone. One of more interesting ones was the downhill held at Mt Baker ski area in 1935. It ran from the top of Table Mountain down to the valley. This was before ski lifts and on ungroomed snow. I think of it as Mt Baker's answer to the Silver Skis. John Woodward won the race in a little over 2 minutes. John is still around, and there's a photo of him in this thread:

 

http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=4303.0

 

 

[Blake]

If anyone wants to have the Silver Skis day this year, I'd be interested.

[chris]

If anyone wants to have the Silver Skis day this year, I'd be interested.

Me too. MRNP is forecasting a May 15th opening of the Nisqually Road.

[MPaul_Hansen]

Racing is good.....if done safely.

 

Please be advised, as best as I can recollect, there were several serious injuries and the death of a prominent Skier in the Silver Skis Races. May have contributed to suspension of said race, among other factors.

 

Of course the same can be said of formally sponsered DH races.

Even on the FIS - World Cup circuit with plastic fences etc a death occurs...say every 5-10 years or so.

[chris]

Paul, you should really read Lowell's article:

http://www.alpenglow.org/skiing/silver-skis-2005/index.html

 

Here's a quote from that article that addresses your points:

In 1940, tragedy struck the race when Sigurd Hall strayed off the course in fog and crashed into rocks near Little Africa, a short distance below Anvil Rock. He was killed instantly. The race went on and in 1942 Seattle fireman Matt Broze upset a field dominated by U.S. Army mountain troops training at Paradise, including many of the top ski racers in the country. World War II cancelled the Silver Skis from 1943 through 1945, but the race was revived in 1947 and 1948. The growth of skiing elsewhere in the Cascades and the difficulty of staging a race high on the cloud-swept flanks of Mount Rainier finally brought the Silver Skis to an end. Today, as climbers and ski tourers trek from Paradise to Camp Muir, the legend of the Silver Skis has almost faded from memory.

[MPaul_Hansen]

RE: DH for the "average" joe skier ....

If any readers want a 'kinder, gentler' introduction to

Downhill Racing, the Crystal Mtn ski area has an annual

spring-time event down QuickSilver, 'scaled' back to allow

for most willing participants.

 

Go to www.skicrystal.com and follow the Events links.

One can use regular Alpine gear on this course ...

or your telemark set up, randonee, etc. Not necessary

for instance to own a pair of boards similar to my 220 cm

DH Racers [Head] donated to me by an ex-US "B" team member.

 

[cman]

I'd be into the silver skis race, sounds like fun. we should set something up, quietly of course, when paradise opens up. winner gets some free beer.

 

[chris]

Perhaps we should simply set a date and time to meet at Camp Muir?

[Jens]

I'm game. It should be good weather though. Can I pay someone to carry my DH boards to muir? They'll drag in the snow if I lash them to my pack.

 

[Weekend_Climberz]

I'm game. It should be good weather though. Can I pay someone to carry my DH boards to muir? They'll drag in the snow if I lash them to my pack.

 

:lmao:

[scot'teryx]

I'm down, let me know. I am sure I know at least 4 others that would like to do it as well.