Margaret Anderson pauses at the top of Regulator, one of Snowbird, Utah’s, fabled black diamond ski runs, to capture the view one more time. Below her awaits an immense open bowl, laden with Utah’s famous powder snow. The pitch of the slope is so steep that to look down requires putting chin to chest. She’s thinking less of the view and more of the expectant, watchful eye of her instructor, hundreds of feet below. Not to mention the near vertical terrain between them.
Nonetheless, class is in session and it’s her turn to demonstrate how much she has learned. One deep breath and 68-year old Margaret Anderson drops about 10 feet vertically in just her first turn.
This is not just any classroom, and it’s not just any instructor. This is the once-a-week gathering of the 55 and older class hosted by 82-year-old legendary powder guru and Snowbird Director of Skiing Junior Bounous, who still glides down near vertical descents like a drop of water running down a pane of glass. It’s a close-knit group Margaret has been part of for five years. Just being here is a badge of accomplishment.
About a dozen turns and several hundred feet below, Margaret reminds everyone that she does indeed belong here. She’s a strong, confident skier. “Looks like you got your race legs back, Margaret,” says Junior. Magical words from the master that will resonate forever.
To fully appreciate Margaret’s accomplishment would require a trip to the top of Snowbird’s 11,000 foot Hidden Peak. Known worldwide for its steep and deep terrain, Snowbird is a challenging mountain and a fitting contemporary to next door neighbor Alta. Margaret is one of the lucky few to call this home. She lives within 15 miles of Snowbird, and spends upwards of 30 days a year on these slopes.
The privilege of skiing with Bounous amid such splendor is what drives Margaret to maintain her amazingly fit body, and to battle through several injuries, including a blown knee and ruptured Achilles tendon that kept her off the slopes for several years.
“To live so close to this amazing natural wonder and not take advantage of it would be a horrible shame,” says Margaret. “Through Junior’s classes, I’ve made some wonderful friends from all over the country, and we’ve stayed together, even off the mountain,” she said.
A retired educator, Margaret embodies the active “senior” we should all emulate. To be truthful, the word senior is about the last thing that comes to mind when you meet Margaret. She’s youthful and energetic with an enthusiastic outlook on life. Together with her husband Joe, also a retired educator, they exemplify the warmth that greeted the world at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
And she’s no casual skier—she’s serious. Legendary Utah storms don’t keep her off the mountain. Her son Witt, now an Army Major stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, was a serious racer, starting out on Snowbird’s Race Team.
Margaret has no plans to give up her passion any time soon. “I’ll quit going when my body won’t allow me to get on the ski bus, she declared.” With that kind of determination, don’t hold your breath.
If you’d like to know more about Margaret’s playground, visit www.snowbird.com. If you go, look for a smooth skiing blue-clad Snowbird instructor with a bright yellow helmet. That’s Junior Bounous, and there’s a good chance Margaret will be on his tail.
No Comments
