Evening star., 1938-01-09
By JACQUES FUTRELrE. II.

BY JACQUES FUTRELLE, Jr.
TINE claim has been made that
the typical New Yorker comes
from the sticks and haymovs
4 Of the Nation, and the observa-
ton has given rise to the satirical
story OF the native Gothamite who
imposed on himself exile to the Great
Plains"in order to return, acquire pol
ish and eventually become a full
dedged member of that sophisticated.
"you-cant-tell-me" set. Whatever
may cause 1t. New York is cosmopoli-
tan, not only in its typicals, but among
the rank and file Of its cliff-dwellers
IN the tenements, apartments and
brownstone mansions come boarding.
houses.
Statisticians possibly might 60 to the
trouble Of disproving the point, but It
Is safe guess that-excluding native.
bona fide residents Of the Washington
metropolitan area-the National Cap
ital Is more cosmopolitan in ratio.
Drawing workers and executives from
every State, the Federal establishment
here represents cross-section of the
Nations travellers. There is nothing
peculiar about it in summer, when all
Americans gallop OF together, as the
saying goes, in every direction. The
growing tendency toward winter vaca-
tions brings change. The travel pic
ture then has two sides, the North and
the South. Those who long for SUNNY
climes seek them out-and devotees Of
the sun are universal But the winter
vacation appeal also is heard strongly
IN Washington by those robust North
erners to whom winter means not awful
weather. but a season Of snow sports
they have learned to love in their
home States.
In calling attention to the fact
that the close Of summer ended the
FUN IN only three of the Nations
national parks. the Department of
Interior points out that a few wears
ago winter in this country was a
time for staying home, for huepinp
the fire, time for shivers, hiberna-
tlon and mutters about the weather"
Times have changed and in younger
eyes, old-fashioned winters are be-
coming something to look forward to
SO MUCH to do and so little
time That is true of snow
sports program developed In the
Vests national parks. Skiing is bv
1ar the more popular, but winter time
exhuberance finds expression in many
non-competitive activities. Parks
programs are built around skating
ski-joring (Which is described as land
surf-board riding with a horse SUD-
plying the power instead of boat)
toooganning, snowballing. quiet con-
temptation of the mountains and
nelds IN their white blanket, sleigh
Ilolng, or toasting before roaring log
nres. Among recent sports finding
aoolcS Is that of ASH canning" in
which one slides down as steep a
hill as he dares while huddled IN
on an ash can lid minus the handle
A burlap bag serves as a cushion.
IN the uncomfortable tin the adven-
turer whlrls. round and down, until
the slope levels of, but. more likely,
ne must pull himself out of a snow
orl1t into which he suddenly and
without ceremony has been pitched
WELL equipped as they are and with
worldwide reputation as an
interesting and genial host. the ma
tlonal parks may lay claim to no
monopoly in snow recreation. States
where snow is the rule in winter have
put their own parks on the frosty
band wagon. Even New Mexico has
developed ski fields and a toboeean
Slide in the high mountains of HYDE
State Park. But for the National
Capital the Northeastern States. offer
the best snow domain for a "ouickie"
vacation
From New England comes the boast
the best winter sports east Of the
Rockies Even tiny Rhode Island
of1ers two acceptable ski runs. Biz
New York, with the tremendous popu-
lation Of Manhattan to draw from.
has dotted the State with excellent
facilities. The groundwork was there
When the growing fad swept through
the ranks Of travellers, and the man
IN the street began to wonder what
ski was-and found out. Lake
Placid, with its 100000 Mount Hoev-
enoerg bobsled run, is a particularly
bright spot on the snow vacationist's
map. Skilled pilots are employed bv
the State to take the public down this
hgntning-like run. The region
abounds in all sports. New York
also offers admirable ski trails at
alexandria Bay, Beacon, Cooperstown,
Highland Falls. Lake George, Lake
Luzerne. Liberty. Monticello, Niagara
Fails, North Creek, Old Forge, Rosen-
dale. Saranac Lake and many other
places. Skiing is not all. Facilities
at these resorts have been developed
Tor outdoor ice hockey, ice fishing,
skating, dog shedding, snowshoeing,
sleighing. ice yachting and coasting.
New Yorks Allegany State Park
and Bear Mountain Park draw week
end crowds Of thousands. Electrically
lighted cabins, renting at $40 a week
invite the sportsman to lingeer at
Allegany and try all the so miles of
SKI trails. Bear Mountain is par
tlcularly popular, with capacity crowds
on its big ski jump. six other runs
ana -FOUR toboegan slides. Parks on
Long Island and other State tracts
close to the metropolitan area also
have sports facilities.
WITH Gotham's millions and snow
enthusiasts arriving from the fan
shaped area west and south. Connec-
ucut has gone in for winter sports In
. big way. Norfolk has more than