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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, January 4-7, 2020 B-7 The Park Record Lessoned up: Aspen ski school pros have been on the job for decades Instructors recall personal growth, high-profile students CAROLYN SACKARIASON The Aspen Times Forget the “10,000 hours” rule. The collective tenure of Aspen’s ski pros adds up to well above 10,000 years, standing head and shoulders above most any group of on-mountain ski instructors in the world, At what other resort do you find close to 500 instructors in the ski and snowboard school who have tenures of 20, 30, 40, 50 years or more? Aspen Skiing Co. recognized the commitment of their pros last season when it took out a full-page newspaper ad listing their names and thanking them for their years of service. Jonathan Ballou, managing director of Skico’s ski and snowboard school, chalks it up to the place and the people. “We run a very high retention rate, over 90 percent, because of the company as a whole, its guiding principles and our commitment to really taking care of people,” he said. “When you take care of people they will take care of you.” Skico employs more than 1,200 pros across its four mountains who are dedicated to giving guests a memorable experience — whether that’s teaching the basics, diving into specific techniques or being a tour guide on the hill. “I love taking them to places they’ve never been before,” said Susan Blakney, who is entering her 31st season as a pro and instructs predominately on Aspen Mountain, but will go anywhere the guests want to go. “I love when my clients get better. It’s an extraordinary feeling.” David “Scooter” LaCouter, who has more than 50 years as a pro with Skico, has instructed thousands of guests since he began teaching in the 1960s here. And with each one, a relationship was built — some that have lasted decades. “I’ve done it for the money but really it’s a love for the people,” said LaCouter, 76, who like most tenured pros have an arsenal of repeat clients. He’s had his share of celebrities over the years, especially back in the heyday of Hollywood when producers and politicians would come to Aspen to learn to ski. “I had Hugh Hefner once,” LaCouter said. “I wouldn’t call him a good skier but maybe an intermediate.” LaCouter taught the Kennedys, a former mayor of New York, professional athletes and TV stars. “These stories go on forever,” he laughed. LaCouter is intent on careful instruction and the art of low-impact skiing for many of his clients who are now in the same age group as him. “It’s gone from nuts and bolts to a lot more philosophy and a lot more dynamics involved,” LaCouter said. “It’s kind of like getting into their psyche and what they relate to.” Like LaCouter, his son, Gary, began instructing as a teenager; Scooter at 15 in New Hampshire and Gary at 14 in a part-time capacity at Buttermilk until he graduated from college and then became full time. Gary is now in his 40th season as a Skico pro teaching kids between 7 and 12 years old, many of whom have never skied before. “I will be there forever. … I grew up in that program,” Gary said. “There is nothing better than seeing a kid in the morning not knowing how to turn and then in the afternoon seeing that reaction, that amazement and that wonder.” Andy Hanson, who took his first instructing job at Aspen Highlands in 1966 and now has two years left before hitting the 50-year mark, has been a fulltime pro at Buttermilk teaching kids since 1991. “I was an adult instructor but friends who were in kids ski school convinced me to transfer,” said Hanson, 82. “I watched my friends skiing around and they looked like they were having fun and I quickly learned that they are way more fun to teach than adults because they don’t talk as much or analyze things.” While Blakney spends between 100 and 110 days on the hill each season, LaCouter and Hanson have dialed it back and work during the busy times in the season and average around 60 days. LaCouter, who lives part time in Florida, and Hanson, who lives part time in Mexico, return when the snow starts sticking. “I come back in December,” Hanson said, adding that he has to train a bit to pass the physical fitness test to teach. “I have to acclimate to get to used the altitude as I get older.” LaCouter said he hopes to stay involved for years to come and be an ambassador for the ski school. “I may be teaching less but I want to keep my hands in it,” he said. His son has the same outlook. “I’ve got nothing to retire from,” said Gary LaCouter, adding Skico’s ski and snowboard school is one of the best trained and best paid in the country. Blakney said she’s working her dream job. “I feel very valued by the Skico and I’m happy to do a good job for them,” she said. “I love being out in nature but it’s the people that I do it for … you meet the most extraordinary people.” And that’s music to Ballou’s ears. “It is so inspiring the connections our pros make with people,” he said. Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Comet Minus Moose Sadie Comet is a gentle giant! He is about 60 pounds and 3 years old. He is learning how to walk nicely on a leash and loves to play fetch. He doesn’t seem to mind cats, but would prefer to be the only dog in the home. He would be the perfect snowshoeing partner!! Meet Minus, Moose’s very cute brother! He also has short little legs! He has the same gentle demeanor and loves to be held and snuggled. We think him and his brother will probably grow to be medium sized. If you are looking to add a new family member for the new year come meet them today! Moose is a funny looking guy! He is 4 months old and a cattle dog mix. Look at those short legs! We think that there might be some basset hound mixed in there too. He is very playful, but also has a gentle demeanor. Meet Sadie! She is a little shy at first but is ready to make you her best friend. She is great around cats and other dogs and is learning that walking on leash can be lots of fun! She is the sweetest thing and ready for her forever home! King Mable Weber & Oakley Vanity King is a handsome 2 year old black and white kitty. He is super friendly and playful. He is also quite happy lounging on his favorite cat bed. If you are looking for someone to ring in the New Year with he could be your guy! Mable has been with Nuzzles for 100 days now and we can’t figure out why! She loves attention, but would prefer to be the only pet so she can have all of it. She is about four years old and has a beautiful grey coat and loves to talk. Come let Mable steal your heart today! These two brothers were rescued from a dumpster by Smith and Morehouse. Meet Weber & Oakley! They are a little timid but we are working on getting them socialized and giving them lots of love and treats. Come meet them today! This fancy girl is Vanity. She has the most beautiful green eyes and is white with tabby spots. She loves catnip and playing with her little mouse. She is only 3 years old and still quite playful. She has been with us since the beginning of November and is ready for her furever home! WaNted: voluNteerS These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Help Eliminate Alzheimer’s The Alzheimer’s Association’s Utah Chapter has many opportunities available for volunteers to raise awareness and promote community events. Areas of particular need are community education, outreach, research, social media, public policy, communications and development. Positions can also be created depending on interest and passion. Many positions are virtual. Please contact Ronnie Daniel, executive director: rdaniel@alz. org. Holy Cross Ministries Holy Cross Ministries has openings for volunteers in both the School Readiness Program (3 to 5-year-olds at St. Mary’s White Pine Canyon, Mondays-Thursdays, 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m.) and in after-school homework help sessions at Parleys Park, Jeremy Ranch and McPolin Elementary programs which run 3-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. School Readiness will benefit from persons willing to read and work at small group centers. Please contact Miriam Garcia (mgarcia@hcmutah.org) for more information on the School Readiness Program. Contact Franz Montalvo (fmontalvo@hcmutah.org) for information on the After-School Program. The Hope Alliance The Hope Alliance is looking for volunteers to process eyeglasses for the vision program. These eyeglasses will be dis- tributed to some of the poorest communities throughout Peru, Guatemala, and other impoverished areas, supporting multiple vision campaigns. Volunteers can work at The Hope Alliance’s Park City office, Monday through Saturday, during office hours. For more information, please call 435-333-3334 or email info@thehopealliance.org. Jeremy Ranch Elementary School Fill yourself up with this great volunteer opportunity at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School. Read with a student in need for the 2019-2020 school year. Please contact Barbara (801) 699-5158 with any questions. No experience required! Kimball Art Center The Kimball Art Center seeks dedicated volunteers in a variety of areas at its largest fundraiser of the year, the 49th Annual Park City Kimball Arts Festival on Historic Main Street Friday, Aug. 3 – Sunday, Aug. 5. Volunteers will have the chance to give back to the community while enjoying an environment of art, cuisine and music. For more information about available positions, responsibilities and benefits, please visit our website at ParkCityKimballArtsFestival.org/volunteer or contact volunteers@kimballartcenter.org. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/ volunteers |