Evening star., 1960-12-20
SKI
TRAILS
By ROBERT 3. RYAN

by kObekI b. KHAN
Skiing has been very much
before the Washington public
lately.
The current snowfall has
made skiing possible on Capitol
Hill, on the Monument grounds
and at the skier's favorite. Bat
tery-Kemble Park on Chain
Bridge road.
Miss Penny Pitou, Americas
silver medal winner, arrived in
town accompanied by the SHOWS
and managed to make a few
mild schusses on Capitol Hill.
1t was her first skiing since the
Olympics.
Miss Pitou. now a ski fashion
consultant for a sportSwear
firm talked skiing last Monday
night in a downtown depart
ment store with those who were
successful in mushing their way
through the drifts. Then, with
Baltimore the next stop on her
schedule, Penny Slalomed north.
Skiing also received extensive
press coverage when it was
pointed out that the entire
family Of the incoming secre-
tary Of defense, Robert S. Nc
Namara, are avid skiers. The
McNamaras have been quoted
as being unaware Of the skiing
potential in the Washington
area as they depart the Michi-
gan snow-country. Therefore.
Mr.. Secretary, in behalf of
Washington skierS. I welcome
you to one of the most active and
enthusiastic skiing confratern-
tiles in America. Davis and
Seven Springs may not be Alta
or Aspen. but you can enjoy
a week end Of skiing in less
than 48 hours absence from
the Pentagon.
Washington area skiing be-
gan in earnest last week end as
medium to heavy snow blan-
keted the Alleghenies. Cabin
Mountain at Davis, w. Va, had
not only its dependable drifts,
which permitted skiing until
Easter last year, but also the
coveted general cover" which
averaged IL inches over the en-
tire slope.
Marsh Mountain at Deep
Creek Lake, Md. had good COW
er and was able to operate its
Pomalift and serve all slopes.
Seven Springs at Champion,
Pa, and Laurel Mountain at
Ligonier, Pa. operated. Nearby
Shawneeland at Winchester,
Va. supplemented the natural
cover with long Lasting, man
made snow.
With no warm weather in
sight, skiers are looking to a
White Christmas In the Appa-
lachians. But a word of cau-
tion-be equipped for true Arc.
tic conditions. It can be mighty
cold in the hills, with condi-
tions more reminiscent of Nc
Murdo than Magnolia. Anti
freeze down to 80 below is rec
commended, chains are a must,
carry light oil and make sure
that the battery is charged. A
can Of "anti-ice" should be
added to your gasoline before
you overnight above 5000 ele-
vation. It will aid sub zero
starting.
Pemmican and Primus stoves
are not required but 1t is a
good idea to carry warm
clothes and emergency rations
If you should be stranded in
your car for any extended pc
riod.
More on ski clothing. Sew
eral area department stores
now have attractive selections
In ski clothing in a variety of
price ranges.
Bright colors are the rage
this year, particularly in ski
gear for the women. The drab-
ly-draped male may also bios
som out in colorful parkas and
stretch pants to say nothing of
sweaters. But before a major
investment in a ski wardrobe
takes place. a few more words
Of caution are in order.
First. rope tows are hard on
clothes. Hence, keep an old
jacket and gloves which can
absorb the beating.
For years the Army-surplus