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Show Lakeside Review North, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1983 1 D x 15 i a . - - v .. ,- - .v -- - . -- , I ; : I " " 'V ' ' ' '?' , ,' , L , '"i fJAp,SiI ' , : s,' . ' ' - - r, , v - t ' Y"- - ' YYYt V ,'r' asiiiiaisii!iis , 4.'. .Jp i -- ; ' . , ' '" . - -7':' , ' r i J sefe Staff Photo by Rodney Wright, Snowbasin Utahs Other Religion Dow V DAN CARLSRUH Review Staff Y'Y,;. Not skiing in Utah is like not drinking tea in England, not being a Packer fan in Green Bay or norswimming if you live in an aquarium. V- -'Y - M- - '? ..- - yy Most people know about Utahs largest religious group but many residents dont, understand the second largest form of reli- - '.; gion in the region, snow worship- V: ing. , . : The people who worship the snow are the ones who watch the mountains with dreamy eyes from Halloween on. They are the ones who dont worry about , spring floods, just as long as there will be 200 inches of white, powder in their favorite snow bowl. v :?- - Av' More people every year are . be- to the raptures of skiing down one of Utahs famous mountains. Many of these new converts have even been residents of the g state for years, always the strange antics of ski ing; converted pooh-poohin- v S ; W&f Do Vo Do? fanatics. Then, on a whim, they decide to try and find out why skiing keeps Utah on the map. Others have moved in from other states where the most exciting thing to do on a winter day was to watch the icicles grow. ,It ususally only takes once,-th- en they are hooked. They soon are flipping between Welti and Eubank to find out when the next heavy snow, will fall. They sneak down to the local 7 -- 1 1 to . grab a Ski magazine. They even learn the. strange foreign names of the boots, skis and poles, .Winter becomes a whole new experience to the converted skier. It is no, longer the cold, dreary months between October and : t In this admittedly expensive sport, money means nothing to these people. They will trek up the mountain even if their cars, homes and other personal belongings have been repossessed. And while most people' cringe at the 'news of a large winter stofm making its way to Utah, the: snow worshiper merely gig gles. ' April. Skiing can offer a chance to get together with friends and blaze down packed trails. You can go with the crowd on the weekends or sluff work and enjoy the runs and lifts yourself during the week. 7 Or, if you prefer, you can get closer to the beautiful side of natures winter by going back in the hills with your cross country skis. . But, even if the basic part of skiing is simple, the sport has developed into quite a technical event. The advances in equipment alone have made skis to barrel staves as the space shuttle is to a kite. ' : Then there is the ever present fashion awareness. Somehow, skiers have made the wearing of bulky and sometimes awkward clothes a part of their fashion conscience. Of course, you could be the rebel on the hill and ski with Levis and a flannel shirt, as many budget minded skier still do. ; i Resort Facts: In a sport which isnt one of the cheapest, to expect when you go up to buy the lift ticket. its nice to know what 2D The Downhill Alternative: One of the fastest growing winter sports is cross coun2D try skiing. But it takes knowledge and stamina. .. If this is the year you have chosen to join the rest of Utah on the slopes, then gaining an understanding of some of the basics of the sport wilfbe helpful before you plan your first big weekend schussing at the resort. Instead of letting inside Ski Schools: The First Step: Learning to ski isnt as difficult as believed. With qualified instructors, skiing basics can be mastered. 2D Equipment Evolution: Ski equipment has come a long way from barrel staves, so has the price. This year offers new ideas in equipment. 3D friends take you up to the top of the ski lift to let you get the hang of it, spend some time with a certified instructor. Learn the basics so you and those around you will be able to ski in safety. Understand the different pieces of equipment on the market by The Graceful Telemarker: A fad which has been appearing on the slopes the past 4D couple of years is the graceful turns of the telemarker. , i 1; Children Also Belong: Children can learn skiing at very young ages. Instructors 5D say the child can even learn faster because fear is less. talking to reputable dealers. Many beginners can have a bad experience by buying skis the wrong size, boots too small or bindings to stiff. If it is cross country skiing which enamors, you, then knowledge of terrain, snow packs, densities and hazards are essential. Armed with this basic knowledge, and wearing the proper equipment, you too will find out Tuneup Tips: The skis have been sitting in the closet for eight months now. They show the wear of last season. Should you give the old sticks a tuneup? 5D Quality Renting: Renting is one alternative taken by many skiers for its nience. Quality equipment can be found for the person who looks. conve- 7D Body Harmony: Little can be expected of the ski season if the body is weak and out of shape. Before skiing, make sure you have the strength to do it. 8D that skiing isnt just another sport, its mans most graceful at' tempt to use gravity. ,p -- i |