Evening star., 1960-12-27
SKI
TRAILS
By ROBERT B. RYAN

Much has been written Of
the alleged dangers Of skiing;
so much in fact, that many
prospective skiers have been re-
luctant to take up a sport so
obviously threatening to life and
limb.
Such overemphasiS on dam
ger is unfortunate and should
be placed in proper perspec-
tive. There are, Of course, GER
tain dangers associated with
skiing which viii forever make
) 1t relatively more hazardous
than staying In bed. There are
also steps the prudent skier
may take which viii signifl-
cantly lessen the chance that
he will be q contributor to the
casualty statistics.
Some precautions concern
equipment and its proper func-
tioning, others the skier him
helf, his preparation, training
and condition. The final fac
tor, over which unfortunately
the skier has no control, are
the actions Of other skiers on
the slope.
Let us first consider equip
ment. The introduction Of re-
lease or safety" bindings
about 10 years ago was q big
step towards reduction Of ski
injuries. Release bindings, ct
first spurned by competitive
Skiers In q manner somewhat
similar to the spurning Of
automatic transmissions by
sports-car drivers. have gained
greater and greater acceptance,
first among recreational skiers,
then by the competitors, pa
trolls and ski schools.
| -
The 1852 Olympics saw some
racers. primarily United States.
on the course with release
bindings. The 1860 games saw
almost the entire field 50
Equipped. The racers heretofore
had felt that release bindings
Sacrificed control, or, worse yet,
would release under the strain
of competition. This was dis
proved in the Squaw Valley
games, and many a racer was
able to walk away from a spec
tacular crackup because OF
safety bindings"
Release bindings must be
properly adjusted to give the
margin Of safety desired. They
must release under stresses as
would be encountered in fall
ing, but must not release in the
course of normal skiing. So
make sure the proper adjust
ment is made.
The advent Of release bind
ingS has brought an extra
hazard to the slopes. the run
away ski. Once q binding has
released, unless a retainer strap
Of some type Is provided, the
ski will Immediately start q
swift journey to the bottom Of
the hill, sometimes attaining
speeds Of so miles an hour.
I once watched a runaway ski
spear completely through the
wooden sides of q ski-lift ticket
house and have observed sew
eral injuries to the innocent by
such missiles. Hence, use q re-
tainer strap.
But, having thus protected
others. protect yourself by using
q double retainer strap so that
the steel-edged ski, once having
become semidetached, will not
windmill after you like an
avenging helicopter. The So
called "arlberg strap" is the
style recommended; good heel
holddown is achieved: the ski
will safely release in q fall, but
the tendency Of the detached
ski to rotate will be minimized.
Now for the skier himself.
The primary rule to follow is,
always ski in control. II you
are a novice, this first means
lessons-if possible, several les
sons. The successful compile
ton Of one or two lessons often
builds up a false and sometimes
dangerous confidence in the
novice skier. This skiing isn't
SO difficult after all; I'll bet
can handle that intermediate
course; think I'll give the chair
lift a try"
So stay on that practice slope
until you are sure you can stop
and turn at places of your own
choosing. Then take another
lesson. In skiing, as In many
other activities, a little knowl-
edge is a dangerous thing.
Finally, know when to quit
Fatigue is o major contributor
to ski accidents. A sign I once
saw posted stated, "Quit before
the last run-it's on the last
run that people are hurt"
Skier's directory-Vermont:
Bromley, Manchester-Snow
reports, 314. Lodging, 297.
Jay Peak, North Troy-Snow
reports, Yukon 8-2511. Lodging
Yukon 8-2607.
Killington Basin, Sherburne