She was on here way to Bozeman. I remember encouraging her to become a ski instructor.
I'm so glad she listened to you!
She was on here way to Bozeman. I remember encouraging her to become a ski instructor.
I read this news last night with a heavy heart.
A few years before I skied with Laura, I got into some challenging terrain beyond my pay grade in Big Sky’s Dakota Territory. The incident frightened me so much I wouldn’t go back to the area. After joining this forum, I noted Laura’s incredible, invaluable posts and asked if we could ski together in Big Sky. Specifically, I asked if she’d be willing to take me to Dakota Territory to help me find the area of my incident and “slay my dragon”. As she and I rode the Dakota lift up, I began to cry, feeling safe enough with her to admit that my fear was so incredibly powerful, it paralyzed my skiing. I never knew I was sitting next to someone who’d been fighting fear daily for much more legitimate reasons than my own. Laura was kind, patient and skied like a beautiful warrior. I remember her skiing in front of me, keeping my mind occupied with tips on how to ski through the crud, and stopping every so often to look up at me and ask “Does this area look familiar? Is this where it happened?” When she found the location of the incident, and I recognized it as such, I let out the loudest wail of relief and happiness, but the smile on Laura’s face is one I will never forget. This journey wasn’t about skiing, It was a deep dive into eradicating fear for me, maybe for her too. We skied the remainder of the day in places I never thought possible. It was the most magical day of skiing of my life, thanks only to Laura.
I ran into her in Big Sky’s new Vista Hall back in January. She was so excited to meet up with Diva’s in Jackson Hole the following week. When I returned to Big Sky in February, we tried to get together for a nice Philly style east coast style Italian dinner I was hosting, but schedules never aligned. Just last Wednesday at 1:14pm, I sent her a private message asking how she was doing and letting her know I was thinking of her. I am eternally grateful to Laura and I know she knows that. The world has lost an extraordinary woman who smiled while slaying dragons. RIP friend.
Thank you! Yes, Laura and I spent a lot of time together - driving to and from the mountain . And trust me, there was not ONE day the conversation was NOT about skiing ! She always said I should get paid for “clinicing”! She was relentless in her pursuit of knowledge about movement analysis, physics, etc about skiing !!!I am so glad Laura had the courage and determination to follow her dreams. What a great example she set.
And @Ursula, thank you for offering Laura the friendship and mentorship to reach her dreams. Always know the difference you made in her life.
Still my BEST POWDER Ski Day EVER-- I will treasure this day and all the other days I had with Laura..
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@ski diva, Mr. Ski diva @Skisailor, Me, Mr @Quiver Queen and Mr @ride_ski WHAT A GREAT DAY THIS WAS!!! I'm thankful for the friendships made from this site. Thank you Wendy @ski diva
Ohhh, I THOUGHT that was Craig (Mr. QQ) - now he's gone, too.Still my BEST POWDER Ski Day EVER-- I will treasure this day and all the other days I had with Laura..
View attachment 13055
@ski diva, Mr. Ski diva @Skisailor, Me, Mr @Quiver Queen and Mr @ride_ski WHAT A GREAT DAY THIS WAS!!! I'm thankful for the friendships made from this site. Thank you Wendy @ski diva