LOCALadk Magazine
Issue link: https://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1543801
LOCALadk 36 always have to come check it out, the conditions can be surprising here." An hour drive, on winter roads, and the schlepping of ski gear to "check it out"... true words from a real ski bum. In the Kucipeck's crew are Bert and Heike Yost (both 78) who have logged 70 to 80 days each season in the past decade. Traveling from Wilmington where they ran a Bed and Breakfast (Willkommen Hof ) for over 30 years. Like the Kucipeck's, Bob, and Woods, the Yosts too park in the same spot. Lou Williams (71) has had a pass for 35 years and scheduled a surgery around the ski season last year. Lou shared a concurring opinion that, "Any day that you get here at this age is a good day." Dennis Kasun (86) built his A Frame in 1978 for the Olympics because he heard he could rent it those two weeks for $20,000. Said it cost him $25,000 to build. He made sure to emphasize that he really built it, saying he "sweated the pipes and drove the nails." Dennis still skis on clear days but avoids foggy days due to severe vertigo. When asked about ski culture, Dennis asked in return, "Do you know what a lemming is? " He went on to explain, "A lemming is a little rodent about as big as a mouse. They're famous for, well it turns out to not be true, but people thought that lem- mings follow their leader and jump off a cliff into the ocean at a certain part of their life. So I'm in a group of 8 to 10 of us called 'The Lemmings' because we follow each other to total destruction here at Whiteface." Dennis broke his leg at the end of the season last year when he was 85 years old and was just glad he only missed two days of skiing. When asked if he nordic skis, Dennis's answer was quick: "Hate it." So okay, Dennis won't be joining Woods or Bob for the double-ski day, but he still gets it like Jim, Betsy, Bert, Heike and Lou. When it comes to going to the mountain, there really are no bad ski days. The Senior Seniors, Geriatric Crew, Brown Bag-ers, Lemmings, or anyone else who shows up cold morning after cold morning seem to fully understand life up here: if you can get the cold air on your face first thing, you'll have a great day. It's that simple. If you get to do it all with the joy comparable to kids in a sandbox at age 5, you're winning. And if you get the privilege of riding up the gondola with any of these jackets, be quiet and listen. Soak up their humor and humility. It's been as revitalizing for me as I think the skiing is for them. t