THE ALLURE OF ALPINE SKIING

ALPINE SKIING is fun. It's also an athletic activity that's encompassed by outstanding natural beauty. Snowboarding is fun too, but I believe skiing has a distinct advantage over it in that skiers can stop and stand anywhere on the mountain to enjoy that natural beauty, and for as long as they desire. Boarders, by virtue of their gear, must either sit on the snow or unstrap a boot to gain the same advantage (typically they slide without pausing, only enjoying the scenery while riding the lifts). Skiing, by virtue of its unique gear, allows for much greater stationary balance. Of the two pursuits I prefer skiing for that very reason. I love being able to stop and take in my surroundings at a moment's notice.

But it's not only the scenery and stability that's outstanding when skiing, it can sometimes be the skiers your are sharing the slopes with.

Here's some cover art that illustrates my point...

Yes. She's definitely outstanding! 

The February, 1941, issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine, with cover art by Bradshaw Crandall.

Of course, we all have to get to the slopes before we can actually ski, but this sure beats driving a car up I-70! 

The School Friend Annual was published by Amalgamated Press Ltd., (London) in 1956. The cover artist is unknown.

Here's one way to get to the top of the mountain, though I sense trouble in the making for our three jolly tow-liners! 

This issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine was published in December, 1949. The cover artist is unknown.

The anticipation of skiing brings a smile to everyone. 

The Girls' Crystal Annual 1960 was published by Amalgamated Press Ltd., (London) in 1959. The cover artist is unknown.

Now that we are on the slope there's always a boot adjustment to make. 

The Swiss School by Mabel Esther Allan was published by Hutchinson (London), circa early 1950s. The cover artist is unknown.

Falling always brings a laugh. 

The Chalet School in the Oberland by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer was published by Chalmers (London) in 1954, with cover art by Nina K. Brisley.

Getting back up is easy-- just push down on one pole.

The February 10, 1940, issue of Liberty magazine, with cover art by Victor Tchetchet.

Though sometimes a little help is greatly appreciated.

Haddon Sundblom produced this oil painting in 1937 for a Coca Cola magazine advertisement.

 

One run is usually all it takes to regain last season's form. 

A Wild Bird by Maud Diver was published by Ryerson (Toronto) in 1929. The artist is unknown.

Kids take to skiing almost instantly because of their low center of gravity.  

Olga of Norway by Elizabeth F. McCready was published by Platt & Munk Inc., (U.S.) in 1936, with cover art and interior illustrations by Ninon MacKnight.

As we get older and more confident in our abilities we also get more daring.

Robert C. Kauffmann painted these two skiers probably in the 1930s, for use as a possible magazine cover, calendar, or product advertisement.

Confidence can also lead to arrogance, and lapses in etiquette.

This panel by Al McWilliams is from his syndicated newspaper comic strip, Dateline: Danger!, which ran from 1968 to 1974.

Catching "Air!" became an obsession with my brother Gary and I after we learned to ski.

The upper oil painting by Ellen Barbara Segner was produced for a 1943 calendar, and the lower for the cover of This Week Magazine, a supplement of the Baltimore Sun newspaper, circa 1938.

Big "Air!" But way too big even for an air hound like me!

Ski Town by Don Stanford was published by Funk & Wagnalls in 1958, with cover art by Stan Campbell.

Big "Air" can sometimes lead to a "Big Yard Sale!"

Night Life Tales, an adult fiction magazine, was published between 1939 and 1940. The cover artist is Faustin.

"Oh yeah! Here's one coming' back at ya!"

A painting by Dominice Cammerota, circa 1940s, probably for cover use on a magazine or newspaper supplement.

Mittens are the way to go. They're always warmer than gloves.

McClelland Barclay produced this oil on canvas portrait for the January 7, 1940, cover of This Week Magazine, a supplement of the New York Herald Tribune.

Yowza! Looking good means skiing good!

Ted J. Kuck painted this too sexy portrait for a Brown & Bigelow calendar, date unknown.

Lunchtime for the troop, with hot chocolate and cider!

A 32 page illustrated stapled magazine from Norway: Speiderbladet's Fulenummer 1950, published by K.F.U.K Speidere, Oslo, 1950, with cover art by K. Dahl.
 

More hot chocolate!

The February, 1938, issue of Cosmopolitan magaznine, with cover art by Bradshaw Crandall.

Looking for a romantic getaway? Try skiing!

The February, 1945, issue of All-Story Love magazine, and the March, 1943, issue of Romance magazine, with cover art on both by Gloria Stoll.

"Get a room you two!"

A preliminary sketch by Warren Kremer for First Love, a romance comic book published by Harvey in 1954.

Outstanding natural beauty. For sure.

Travel poster for the New Hampshire Ski Industry, circa 1940s, painted by Dwight Clark Shepler.

Yes. Exactly why we ski.

Skiers at Mount Hood, circa 1950, as rendered by watercolor specialist Millard Sheets.

1937 Cord with hidden headlights and front wheel drive. Dig those chains!

Great moments in early American skiing... er,  I mean, motoring. Auburn Automobile Company advertisement painting by Harry Anderson.

 

Coolin' off on a sunny Spring afternoon.

A painting by Enoch Bolles that became the February, 1935, cover of Film Fun magazine.

"Not tired yet!"

A painting by Robert C. Kauffmann, for a U.S. Royal Tires advertisement, circa late 1930's.

"My twentieth run down the mountain-- ok, now I'm getting a little tired."

The January 26, 1935, issue of Liberty magazine, with cover art by Leslie Thrasher.

"That was definitely my last run-- I'm pooped!"

The January 18, 1947, issue of Collier's magazine, with cover art by Jon Whitcomb.

Après Ski!

An oil on board painting by Spencer Douglass Crockwell, date unknown, for probable use as a beer advertisement or as a magazine cover.

I challenge anyone to stay awake while relaxing in front of a warm fire after a day of outstanding skiing.

The February 22, 1941, issue of The Saturday Evening Post, with cover art by Frederick "Ski" Colton Weld.

"SEE YOU ON THE SLOPES!"

[January 2021, © Jeffersen]