Frozen Chicken Heads

Spring 2000              The unofficial newsletter of the Detroit Mountain Ski Patrol              Vol.1 Num.1

P.R. BABBLE

I would like to thank everyone for making me the new Patrol Representative.  I would also like to thank Lois for all the hard work she did during her tenure as patrol director.  I hope I can do half the job she did.  Which brings me to the job's name change from patrol director to patrol representative.  The title "Director" implies directing, running, and making decisions, whereas "Representative" implies replying to correspondence, greeting guests, and being the liason between the patrol and the area management or the National bureaucracy.  I can be a "Representative" and with everyone's help (lots) and support we can together direct the ski patrol.  I will also take on the roll of travel agent if you would like.  I think everyone had fun on the recent Montana assault.  The planning for next years trip can never start to soon so let me know what you want for next year.  I would appreciate any feedback, ideas, and suggestions you may have concerning the patrol, the ski trip or this newsletter.  Q

Left to right: Jeff Q., Leif E., Scott L., Jesse S., Don G., Dave S., Joe S., and Arne G. at the mid-winter chair evac.

Left to right:  Barry Morstad, Joe S., Jay Q., Steve Q., Dave S., and Jesse S. on top of the world.  Top of the Ridge at Bridger Bowl. 3/10/2000.

DM PATROL ASSAULTS MONTANA

If you were not a member of the trip you missed a great time.  Lots of great skiing, a few scares, one car wreck, and a few minor injuries.  The assault teams left on March 7th and 8th, trying to avoid the oncoming storm.  It kind of worked.  We did run into some tough driving but it could have been much worse.  Unfortunately we arrived in Bozeman much to early allowing for much shopping.  Ratboy got new skis and well, I'll let Dave tell you about the rest.      We skied Bridger Bowl on Thursday and Friday with many of us hiking the Ridge on Friday.  We also skied with Barry Morstad on Friday.  Barry is an alumnus of the DM Patrol, and originally from New York Mills. He now lives in Belgrade Montana.  Barry is also a former pro at Bridger and Big Sky.  It's always nice to have a local connection when we ski out there.  Thanks alot Barry.  On Saturday we skied Big Sky in a storm.  Ask Brian about the drive up.  Snow was falling about 2 inches per hour.  We had no lines, fresh powder, and unfortunately, poor visibility.  The skiing was still great.  Sunday we wrapped up the trip by tele-skiing and snowboarding Bridger.  Ask any assault team member for details. Q

Dear Ratboy, Half my friends snowboard and the rest ski.  What should I do? Ratboy says: Do both that way if you're in trouble and your dad won't let you snowboard, you can still ski. Dear Ratboy, Are helmets cool? Ratboy says: No, helmets are warm and would you rather get hit in the head by the T-Bar wearing a helmet or not wearing one?  I'll take the helmet...Thankyou Dear Ratboy, What do you like best about being the Ski Patrol Ratboy? Ratboy says: I get to ski free and hang out with the ski patrol. Dear Ratboy, How was skiing in Montana and which was better, Big Sky or Bridger? Ratboy says: Fun and big.  Lots longer runs.  I also got new skies and a snowboard.  Both were great, but it was cold and hard to see at Big Sky.  I hope I can go next year.

Tim O'Leary Managing Member Brewers of "Olde Bong Water" The official beer of the Montana Assault Team

Right:  The editor after the hike up the Ridge at Bridger Bowl.  I may be old and out of shape but I beat Scott to the top.

THE ASSAULT TEAM:  Jesse, Scott, Mark, Gary, Dave, Joe, Brian, Gloria, Bobbi, Ricky and Lois.  Not Pictured:  Jeff, Ben, April, Dustin, Jay, Steve and Barry

Meaningless Drivel

I plan on using this space to say whatever is on my mind.  It may be informative, educational, humorous, but most likely a tale of outrageous lies.  This story is about my friend Rat, whose real name is Norm Selberg.  Rat was the head of the ski patrol when I joined in the winter of 1977-78.  After checking out our skiing skills Rat taught us toboggan handling and set up a four hour Multi Media Red Cross First Aid class.  Homemade yellow fanny packs and we were patrollers.  In the few years Rat was our P.D. he taught us that our real job was not caring for injuries but to help the skiers enjoy their day at the Hill.  An idea that I feel is just as important today.  Rat had us spend hours  helping skiers get up the rope tows.  Teaching them how to turn, stop, get up, and put their skies back on (Moog plate bindings).  We still had to deal with the injuries (lots, thanks to the Moog bindings) and the jerks, but mostly helped everyone have fun.      We always had fun, skiing, and after hours.  Much beer was consumed in the shack after hours in what we called the jury deliberations (a twelve pack and arguments).  Ask Joe who usually had to go get the beer.  Rat had a big influence on my skiing career.  Twenty three years later, I'm still patrolling and with luck I'll still be skiing in twenty three more.  I still see Rat and his wife Spic once or twice every summer at their shack on Highland Drive.  They never change, still a couple of the finest people I know.  Thanks Rat, for starting my patrol career off right.  Until next time, avoid the frozen heads, they're just as bad as the death cookies. Q

PINHEAD

How Free-Heeling came to DM...     This is the story of three amigos who belong to a group of hard working, fun loving comrades called a ski patrol.  It all started when the eldest decided to push up the departure of a small band of powder hounds from 4 am Wednesday to 11 pm on a rainy Tuesday night in March (yes, rain in March).  Well this five extra hours put us in the metropolis of Bozeman, MT earlier than we had anticipated.  What do you do on vacation?  You shop, you eat, you ski, you shop some more, then catch a little sleep in between.  These three amigos are gearheads always searching for adventure.  Between a 2nd hand store, about five sporting goods stores and an endless supply of pawn shops, telemark gear was had by all.  Then the real fun begins.  Face plants, falls, spin outs, and a new nickname (I'm not a snowplow boy).  We had fun, we laughed out loud and we shared good times and that's what life is all about.  Plans for next year are already underway, and before you know it the seasons change and the first flakes of winter are here.  Think snow and I'll see you on the hill, one year older and hopefully one year wiser. ... David P.S.  Ask Joe about the new song, "Ridge Rats Rule".

DM Patrol Officers Representative:  Jeff Quam Asst. Ops.:  Tom Harper Asst. Personnel:  Dave Squires Treasurer:  Don Goetz Secretary:  Mark Woodbury Medical Advisor:  Arne Graff Ratboy:  Ricky Quam

Joe after the slog up the Ridge.

Where would you like to go?

Home

Patrol Schedule

Patrol Calendar

Patrol Roster

DM Ski Area

FCH-Winter 2001

FCH-Fall 2000

FCH-Summer 2000