Search DCSki:

Jump To:

Follow DCSki on Twitter!



Firsthand Report from Liberty Mountain: Skiing is Therapeutic!
By Connie Lawn, DCSki Columnist

January 8, 2012 — The sun shone, the weather was warm, many trails were snow covered, and I conquered my demons. Nine months after breaking my hip, and two years after I was diagnosed with Parkinson disease, I was delighted to learn I could still ski. More about that in a moment.

First of all, Pennsylvania’s Liberty Mountain has done an incredible job creating snow and grooming the mountains. Despite the late start to the season, experts worked their magic and made more than enough snow for skiing and snowboarding. That is quite a feat with weather in the 50’s and 60’s. It looked as though a thousand people or more took to the slopes on Saturday, January 7, 2012. It was a dramatic contrast to the golf course next to the slopes, and the brown fields and farmlands beyond. I don’t know what the future will bring, but this weekend was glorious. And this is a time when there is a general lack of snow in resorts all over this country and Europe.

Now, going back to my experience. My greatest fear was being able to walk and ski in my heavy boots and skis. I was completely dependent on my husband Charles Sneiderman to carry the equipment and help me get the heavy boots on and off (I make no secret of my disdain for today’s heavy, difficult boots – they are doing their part to ruin the sport and drive more people to snowboarding!). But once I was on the slopes, I felt like the young girl who danced down the mountains fifty years ago. My trembling and pain disappeared – it was magic.

I owe a special thanks to a New Zealand company that helped me keep my hip intact. A company called Impactwear.com sent me plastic pads that slip into the pockets of special under pants. It is billed as “protection against fall related hip fractures in the elderly.” It worked! I took one fall and hit exactly the spot I had broken last Mach. I honestly did not feel a thing. Of course, I could not get up without the help of Charles and my friends, but that is another story. I have real issues with getting up from the snow. Guess I am meant to just stay there and enjoy it.
Adaptive volunteers at Liberty Mountain. Photo provided by Charles Sneiderman.

This year will be a different ski experience in many ways. Charles and I signed up to volunteer with the excellent group that teaches disabled, or adaptive skiers. At Liberty it is called BRASS, or Blue Ridge Adaptive Snow Sports. It is organized and directed by two wonderful couples – Leslie and Dick White, and Trippie and Tom Penland. Leslie was the founder, and gave our group of volunteers a fascinating opening training session. Then my long-time friend Trippie took us up in the mountain and gave us training on the varied and intricate type of equipment used by the many disabled skiers and wounded warriors. We will have more detail on that as the season progresses. Charles and I will never be instructors – that takes years of training, dedication, and skill. But, it will be enough if we can assist the instructors and the students. In the process, they help us too.

By the way, many ski areas now have programs to help adaptive sports people and wounded warriors. They all need private donations to keep the costs of the programs low. In some cases, they are free to the participants. To contact BRASS and help out, email info@brassski.org. Now, get off the computer and get out and enjoy the slopes!

Related Links:

Related DCSki Stories:

Lodging Near Liberty Mountain (extracted from the DCSki Lodging Finder):

About the Author

 

 

Track new stories on DCSki by following DCSki through Twitter, Facebook, or RSS:

Twitter Facebook RSS

There are 3 reader comments about this article. To read them, or add your own, scroll below or click here.

The views and opinions expressed in DCSki Article Comments are strictly those of the comment authors and have not been reviewed or approved by DCSki. If you believe a comment is inaccurate or inappropriate, please contact DCSki's Editor.

Outstanding! - posted by Crush
January 9, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Hi Connie - I am so glad to hear you are out and about again. I hope you continue to enjoy and best wishes to you!

E-
 
the comeback kid - posted by JimK
January 11, 2012 at 9:20 am
Outstanding to hear about your comeback Connie and Charles. We skied with Billy Kidd at Steamboat last week and he wore a pair of Apex? soft ski boots. They looked like snowboard boots, but apparently perform like regular boots. Maybe they would hold promise for you for a lighter boot?
We are skiing Beaver Creek yesterday and today. They fondly remember you here at the guest services office!
 
Thank you Crush and Jim K - posted by Connie Lawn
January 12, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Your comments really made me feel great! I look forward to your terrific articles! How is the snow out West? Yours, Connie
 
   Your Comments
Share your comments on this article with other DCSki readers by filling out the form below. Please note that DCSki reserves the right to edit or remove comments. By sharing your comments, you agree that they can be published throughout DCSki. Also note that embedded HTML is not allowed in comments.

Your Name:


Subject:


Your Comments:

DCSki is sponsored in part by the following companies:


Canaan Valley Resort: Canaan Valley Resort, located outside Davis, West Virginia features 39 slopes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced West Virginia skiing. With a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run at 6,000 feet, the experience is as challenging as you want it to be. Night skiing is also offered during holiday and prime ski weekends. The resort features a 150 room lodge and 23 cabins/cottages for your convenience. Additional winter sports include XC skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, airboarding and ice skating. An indoor swimming pool, fitness center, whirlpool and saunas are also available after a day on the slopes.

Liberty Mountain Resort: Located about an hour from both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas, Liberty Mountain Resort is the perfect place for a mountain getaway! Whether you are searching for adventure or relaxation, our mountainside amenities are sure to treat you. Our mountain boasts over 100 acres of skiable terrain, including 16 trails, 3 terrain parks, and a large tubing hill. Our Ski and Snowboard Schools offer a wide variety of lessons for both beginners and advanced. Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing features 15 tubing lanes, party rooms, and food and beverage, creating a fun atmosphere for everyone. Take a "snowcation" by lodging in the slopeside Liberty Hotel and dining in one of many eateries, including the popular McKee's Tavern.

Seven Springs Resort: Seven Springs Mountain Resort is the perfect place to escape with your family this winter and reconnect! At Seven Springs, you'll find a mountain of fun - skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoe tours, a luxurious spa, sporting clays, delicious dining, nightlife and more. Enjoy a mountain of fun on 285 acres of slopes and trails including beginner trails, black diamond slopes, mogul runs and five terrain parks. Come up to Seven Springs this winter and make a new memory. What are you waiting for? You really should be here!

Whitetail Resort: Head to Whitetail for some of the best skiing and riding in the mid Atlantic Region! Enjoy nearly 1,000 feet of vertical and the Region's only High Speed Quad Chairlift. Spend less time on the road and more time carving down some expert terrain like Bold Decision or intermediate favorites Limelight and Snow Dancer! Don't worry, there is plenty of fun to be had for all ability levels, and for freestylers be sure to check out Jib Junction Terrain Park (not for the faint of heart)! We even have Park Place 101 for the beginner freestyler! Don't forget about Whitetail Adventure Tubing, fun for all ages!

Wintergreen Resort: Wintergreen Resort is an 11,000-acre, four-season resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains three hours from Washington, D.C. With accommodations ranging in size from studio condominiums to 9-bedroom homes, your winter escape has all the comforts of home. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding on 26 slopes and snowtubing in Virginia's largest park; Ridgely's Fun Park for young children; ice skating, a zipline; indoor tennis; a spa with indoor pool and hot tubs; and a variety of enticing dining options. Overnight packages offer great value and savings, call 800-266-2444 or book online - www.wintergreenresort.com. For more information, call (434) 325-2200.

Advertisement