The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
52°F
Current Conditions
Few clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Racing on skis the SMART way

Coach Jon Beresford, explains to a couple of the Silver Mountain SMART students, that by bending your knees over your ankles you can turn more smoothly, during their training session Jan. 12. (Barbara Minton / The Spokesman-Review)
Barbara Minton Correspondent
Coach Jon Beresford, explains to a couple of the Silver Mountain SMART students, that by bending your knees over your ankles you can turn more smoothly, during their training session Jan. 12. (Barbara Minton / The Spokesman-Review)

Skiers racing down mountains are a lot like cheetahs capturing their prey. They are fast and agile, with speeds hitting 70 mph. But for Dave Dunham, who has worked for Silver Mountain for 10 years and the race program director for eight years, says, “I enjoy seeing the kids having fun. Fun is my focus.”

At the age of nine, his son was involved on the Silver Mountain Alpine Race Team called SMART, and that got Dunham involved with the program as a staff member. Today, his son is 21 and on the Snowbird Ski Team. He is attempting to make the U.S. Ski Team. He is just a few points away, with plenty of time to qualify.

Another former SMART participant Patrick Deneen, 20, now on the U.S. Ski Team, just received a gold medal in moguls in Calgary on Jan. 12. Additionally, the U.S. Ski Association held a race at Mount Spokane, that same day, and qualified Tyler Tram, 14, to go to the Junior Olympics.

The week before, at the race at Schweitzer, “Silver had the fastest time on the hill for all age groups,” said Dunham. “And 8-year-old Trevor Trimble had the fastest in the J6 class. Also, last year, the Washington state girls qualified for USCSA Nationals for the first time that anyone can remember.”

What’s the secret to Silver Mountain’s success? Dunham, a USSA coach, says, “I use a training program that works. We work a lot on fundamental skiing and all mountain skiing. They need to become an accomplished skier before they can become good racers.

“And part of the philosophy is to have fun.”

“Bend the knees,” commands coach Jon Beresford. “By bending and having the knees over the ankles, turning goes smoothly, not stiff and awkward,” he explains. This is one of the fundamentals that the kids learn.”

The coaches on the mountain believe fun will help conquer fear and overcome humility. Kids will develop skills, achieve goals, learn respect and responsibility along with team unity. Success is then not based solely on who can ski the fastest but by growing and becoming a responsible adult. “And fun is a good way of learning it,” said Dunham.

Trimble and 15-year-old Thomas Tram both traveled to Keystone, Colo., for NASTAR Nationals Pace setting trials in December. Both got to race against AJ Kidd, “who is not a kid,” explained Dunham “but a thirty-something man that is a two-time Silver Olympic medalists.”

Kidd told Trevor that he has better fundamental skills than Kidd did in the Olympics.

Silver Mountain is hoping to start the program up soon. Once it starts it will be held every Saturday and Sunday. Everyone who races gets a medal. “It’s a lot of fun,” said Dunham. “I think it’s funner than all the other races.”

Winter activities on the mountain couldn’t be better, with more than 200 inches of snow so far this year. The resort has geared up events with rail-jams Friday nights, national sanction snowboard and skiing events, Special Olympics and the big Silver Cup race, open to ages 3 to 18 held the last weekend in March.

It’s not too late to get involved. Anyone can join. There are recreational programs and competitive programs for all age groups.

Beside skiing and snowboarding, Silver Mountain offers tubing and snowshoeing. Other fun events include demo days and live music.

For more information on any of these programs call 783-1111 or visit their Web site, www.SilverMT.com