LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 35 In a world where so few traditions are deeply cher- ished, I'm here to share a story about legacy, pride, and perseverance—a story of a small mountain and its ski club that has remained steadfast and prideful for over 60 years. Imagine a blustery winter morning, the air filled with the familiar hum of snow machines. Inside the cozy yurt at McCauley Mountain, young members of the Polar Bear Ski Team are wriggling into their gear, chat- tering excitedly as they prep for practice. It's warm, crowded, and buzzing with the eager anticipation of kids ready to get their "runs in." Before long, they've lined up at the top of Skyride, one of McCauley's best- known runs. Their coach's voice rises powerfully over the wind with the day's instructions and, one by one, they launch down the hill, disappearing from sight. In that moment, they join a tradition generations strong. This is the essence of the Polar Bear Ski Club — a club where local kids learn not only to ski but also to connect to something far bigger than themselves. Founded in Old Forge in the 1960s, the club started as a grassroots effort to give kids the chance to learn Alpine, Nordic, and Biathlon racing, all while falling in love with the magic of Adirondack winters. The Polar Bear logo — a bear perched between two skis atop a peak — has been a badge of honor for over half a cen- tury, worn with pride by every member. McCauley Mountain, our community's small but spirited ski hill, is the club's home base. With a summit elevation of just over 2,200 feet, McCauley might not be the tallest mountain, but it has been the training ground for generations of talented skiers who have learned that big things can happen on small hills. Before entering the chalet, you can see a large almost bus-sized wall with names of over 60 businesses that support and sponsor the club – your first glimpse of proof that Polar Bear pride stretches town-wide. Stepping inside, it is clear the history of this hill and the Polar Bear Ski Club is deep. You are greeted by a 6-foot tall, crown-wearing Polar Bear statue. Trophies and photos of the past adorn the oversized fireplace and walls. You see, McCauley has produced four Olympic ath- letes (in a town whose population is less than 2,000 people). It is here that we remember those who've left their mark. Starting with Gary Vaughn (1960 Olym- pics), John "Louie" Ehrensbeck, a veteran of two US Olympic teams; Hank Kashiwa, who was also the World Professional Alpine Skiing Champion; and Maddie Phaneuf, a US Biathlon team member who went to the 2018 Olympics. Over the years the club has produced handfuls of Junior Olympic and Collegiate ski athletes. Last year, the young athletes competed all over the state and beyond, taking podiums and coming home with well-earned wins. There is immense pride in a place like this, a place that is full of unwavering histo- ry and Olympic legacy. McCauley and its Polar Bears very much intend to keep the winning spirit alive. Meanwhile, over at Nordic practice Coach Phaneuf (the Nordic Polar Bear Coach for 16+ years) is rallying her cross-country skiers for an unconventional drill — climbing the bunny hill, backwards! Watching these kids laugh and encourage each other through the workout, you can't help but feel the camaraderie. And the laughter, the grit, the shouts of "don't give up!" echo the very same spirit the Polar Bear Ski Club was built upon. On another slope, the youngest members of the club, fondly known as the Cubs, are bustling out of the yurt, ready for the day's adventures. They stretch, snap into their skis, and race each other to the lift, dig- ging into the snow with their "bear paws" and growl- ing in their best Polar Bear voices. These little Cubs are the heart of the club, embodying the excitement and enthusiasm that fuel our community. It's impossible not to feel the pull of Polar Bear pride when you're here at McCauley. The Polar Bear logo is proudly displayed on gear around town, and Olympic banners of past members hang in nearly every business. Each winter, the club holds fundrais- ing events that bring out the community in full force. From pasta dinners to the famous ski-a-thon, the Polar Bear community gathers, showing up with open hearts and open wallets. The program has scholarships, spon- sorships, gear swaps, and access to discounted equip- ment rental programs to make the program more financially possible for families. The town-owned hill supplies the ski passes, and the athletes hop onto the school bus and ride it to the mountain after school where they are greeted by their coaches. All these things help to take the financial and time burden off the parents and embed a sort of "way of life" in the kids that participate. How lucky to be children in the Adirondacks given the opportunity to ski everyday in the winter. In addition to these fundraisers the club survives on local grants, and tireless volunteers. It's this support that allows the Polar Bear Ski Club to welcome every child who wants to be a part of it — no small feat for many communities, but here in Old Forge, it's simply part of the culture. Parents, coaches, and neighbors step up each season to support these young skiers, an effort that begins in preschool. Helping them develop not only as athletes but as people is at the core of Po- lar Bear values. "Our goal is to empower great young people to be members of great teams that get great results in ski racing…and in life" says Ed Gudlauski the proud Polar Bear Head Coach. The skills they gain — teamwork, perseverance, and respect — serve them on the mountain and beyond. Wherever they go, their Polar Bear Pride follows. This speaks volumes to me as I stood there watching 5-year-olds chatting away while they put on their own ski boots, helmets, and goggles as if they had done it hundreds of times before, no adult help needed; the picture-perfect definition of independence and empowerment.

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