TR: Henry and Me

[MaineSkiLady]

I could have titled it "May Day @ Sugarloaf" or "Great snow in Maine 5/1" or whatever - and all that would have been true.

But what made the day truly special was meeting and skiing with Henry. Because Henry, a local legend, is 89 years old...

Henry had taken a bit of an easy tumble on the run-out (no greens open today), and someone else was helping him get up. I recognized him from several shuttle bus trips.

By that time, I'd done enough hard and fast runs to want to just chill and cruise - and see Henry safely to the base, about another 1/2 mile of skiing.

Holy crow, once this guy got it going, was he GOOD!! Beautiful wide track parallel, solid as a rock. But, bless his heart, only about a dozen to 15 turns at a time, then a rest. Which I was glad to do.

Once at the base of the chairlift, a resort employee took Henry's skis to his car for him (he has a honorary close-in parking spot), and we walked back to the base lodge together, sharing stories - he said he was NOT looking forward to the mowing season, as he still owns 3 homes! ( ) Everyone who was at the base (all regular weekday skiing retirees) came up to greet Henry.

And I heard, on the lowdown from others, that Henry is failing, mostly in the vision department (SO glad I stayed with him on that run!). Hard of hearing, as most are at that age, but we shared some great stories.

We said our goodbyes as he went into the base lodge, and I so wonder if Henry will be back for another season. Everyone asked when they'd see him again, and he simply had that "knowing" smile.

Touched me to the core...
Another reason being that today is my late dad's b-day.

I will never forget my May 1 ski day with Henry.

 

[Jilly]

Wow, neat

I love skiing with the old guys at Tremblant too. And they love to flirt don't they!!

 

[Robyn]

What a sweet story, thank you for sharing. I hope that one day I'm that old woman who retired to the mountain and skis almost every day.

 

[SkiNurse]

Thank you for sharing!

 

[SnowHot]

What a sweet story, thank you for sharing. I hope that one day I'm that old woman who retired to the mountain and skis almost every day.

X2
I'll be there with ya Robyn, which will make me reeeeaaaaly old!

MSL,what a cool story!
This makes me anxious for next season just to see Henry start his ski season at 90!

 

[RachelV]

Yeah, this is amazing. I want to be Henry when I'm 89. Except, you know, still female. ;)

I rode the chair with a 70-something patroller at Stowe this season who had all these great stories about taking a 12-hour bus ride up to Stowe from NYC before there were highways. He knew all about the first trails, when they were cut, how they've changed since, etc etc etc. Really great.

 

[Ski Spirit]

MSL,
What a wonderful story!!!! I would also love to be out there skiing every day like Henry when I'm in my 80's.

I often go to Tahoe on a ski bus and there is a guy who skis as often as he can who is in his 80's. Like Henry, his vision is failing and also his memory but it's a different story when he skis..no wonder he loves it!!

Everyone who knows him on the bus is happy to help him in any way they can because they admire his staying power. In spite of increasing difficulties and injuries, he sticks with it as much as he can (rides his bike all over too!).

 

[Native Vail Gal]

MSL, What a WONDERFUL story! Thank you for sharing! Truly remarkable and touching!

 

[BKH319]

MSL,

I am so sorry to have missed the last weekend of skiing, and I missed the last snowfall of the season. A real bummer. I had to go to work, got to keep mr. dh living the lifestyle he's used to, Lobsters are on their way. Can not wait for next season! Let me know if ds skis with the divas in May. Say hi to Mr. MSL and did I miss the Tucks pics? Thanks for the cd with the others.

B

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Hey B! Thought of you at the start of the "crustacean season!" Good luck!!
Tucks pics and video are in TR.
Yep, looks like DS is going to subject himself to the divas this coming weekend!
Hi to K, hope to see you this summer! :D
MSL

 

[CMCM]

Henry is just ADORABLE! I love to see guys like him still out there skiing...and at 89!!! I still see some pretty old folks at Squaw....usually skiing with such beautiful, elegant form undoubtedly developed from the "old days" of skiing in the 40's and 50's. Many of them are still on quite old, long skis, too! They're not so fast any more, but still have wonderful and admirable form.

 

[Consuela]

I agree!

I agree, Henry is awesome! That is one of my favorite things about skiing on the weekdays... short lines and skiing with the Henries. They are so inspiring!

I'm so glad you skied down with him. That was super cool of you.