by Nancy Dorrans
Travel and skiing, have transformed and enriched my life in many ways. Both release me from my routine, and offer a way to use my senses differently with new tastes, people, views, trails, feelings, sounds, mountains, aromas, and adventures…
Although winter has been slow to start here, the skiers, riders and outdoor adventurers in my circles are now poised, excited and ready to jump in and get down to business… embracing winter in New England and beyond.
I want to listen to and spend time with them, these people who are passionate, excited, eager to begin and then share their stories of how, where, what, when and sometimes why they do it.
Nancy Meyer – SNOW!!!!! Finally! Now, which toys to use first?
Nancy Meyer of Falmouth, a dear friend that I met through the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club (MOAC) is filled with glee at the first snow storm.
“It is exciting because it is so late to arrive. When is it that we’ve ever had the first significant snow this late? It is late!” Nancy says.
Like a kid before Christmas, it is the anticipation of waiting for the snow to begin that has added to her excitement and now that it has arrived, she is so happy! She has to decide between her downhill skis, snow shoes, x-country skis and her snow blower.
She said she loves to get out in the snow with her toys and friends because she wants “something different”. As a licensed insurance agent she’s been working like a “crazy fool” for several months, helping people get signed up for health insurance and says the new snow is “a much needed diversion” giving her a fun creative way to spend her precious free time in her space.
Craig Marshall (left) with Colby Ski Team.
Craig Marshall, a graduate of Carrabassett Valley Academy and Colby College, is also excited about skiing, and his new job. Now living in Portland, Marshall is the new full time Executive Director of Sales and Marketing for the World Pro Ski Tour set to re-launch in 2017.
The World Pro Ski Tour that began in the 1980s and 90s, gave ski racers the opportunity to compete and earn money and made the dual style of ski racing famous – where two skiers race on courses side by side against each other, instead of the clock.
The plan for 2017 is to retain the general format because it has largely been lost on the national and international stage. Events will be scheduled in every region of the country and participants will be a “hodgepodge” of National Ski Team racers that will pay an entrance fee to compete for a prize pool.
The racers may be off the amateur circuit, but they will still have the passion!
Norwegian skier Stein Eriksen, performing one of his signature layout flips. (Stein Eriksen Collection)
Stein Eriksen, Olympic medalist and the “father of freestyle” skiing, had the passion. Eriksen died late last month at the ripe old age of 88. He spent his life skiing, teaching and directing the ski schools of Boyne Mountain in Michigan, Sugarbush in Vermont, Heavenly Valley in California, Snowmass and Aspen in Colorado, and Park City in Utah.
Nancy Dorrans at Telluride Film Fest. Nancy is a West Ender and an independent travel agent at Adventure Marketplace.
He is described this way in Alan Engen’s book, For the Love of Skiing, “He astounded the world with his unique reverse-shoulder technique and also by performing the first forward somersault with a full layout on skis.”
Stein is one of those people I would have liked to listen to… and spend time with.
Can travel and skiing change your life? Without a doubt it has for me and my friend Nancy Meyer, Craig Marshall and Stein Eriksen! I’m sure in the process, it has changed other lives too.
There are many ways to spend the winter, be it skiing, traveling or something else. Why not get outside and play?
If you need ideas of where to go and what to do this winter, let me know. It is what I do, and I’m happy to help you find your passion!
