Remembering the golden days of the 10th

by John HitchcockPrint Story | Email Story
The Vermont Ski Hall of Fame usually inducts a handful of the sport’s most famous members each year, but the entire roster of 10th Mountain Division members was honored Nov. 9 at an elaborate ceremony at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel. Scott Noble, president of the sponsoring Vermont Ski Museum in Stowe, told the several hundred World War II veterans, family members and guests that some 240 Vermonters served in the famed winter warfare division, with a dozen killed in action in the battle against the Germans in the Italian Alps. More than 60 of the ski troopers have died in the intervening years, and almost all of the survivors are 80 or older. Although the 10th was in action just under four months, 969 soldiers were killed and 4,154 wounded. The 10th was deactivated in November 1945, but was reactivated in 1948 for the Korean War and is headquartered at Fort Drum, N.Y., with its members in action now in Afghanistan and Iraq. Skiers from all northern states were recruited for the first phase of the 10th in 1940, with help from the National Ski Patrol. After the war, returning veterans played key roles in building and running ski resorts, as well as teaching and patrolling. Many, such as Pete Seibert from New Hampshire, rose to prominence after creating the massive resort in Vail, Colo. Swiss-born Karl Acker returned to Vermont’s Pico Peak as ski school director and then manager. Two of Acker’s most precocious pupils were Andrea Mead, whose parents, Brad and Janet, built the resort, and Neil Robinson. Mead, now Andrea Mead Lawrence, became America’s top racer and won two Olympic golds in 1952. Robinson became the “poster boy” for U.S. skiing, known for his grace and power on the slopes, his charm off the skis and his rugged good looks. As ski school director at Bromley Resort near Manchester, Robinson was one of the first skiers to pose for advertisements and endorsements. He was a charter member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America and was a member of the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance, as well as the holder of an honorary Norwegian Ski Instructors’ license. After a decade thrilling lesser skiers and running a highly praised ski school at Bromley, Robinson moved in the early ’60s to head the school at the new giant area, Glen Ellen (now Sugarbush North) and also ran a ski school at The Big A, (Mount Agementicus) in York, Maine. He was also a consultant for ski manufacturers and resort developers. He appeared in ski movies made by John Jay, then of Williamstown, and Warren Miller. Robinson, whom I first saw in action at Pico in 1947, was also a certified examiner of instructors, and I came close to passing one of his courses at Bromley in 1959. He was always a good source for ski stories and photos. But sadly, he died far too early in his colorful life, leaving the ski scene some 20 years ago. I often run into some of his former instructors and others in the ski scene of 40 years ago or so, and we all have tales to tell of the Robinson style. One of his prodigies were Phil Grande, who learned to ski the Mike Catrambone way at Dutch Hill and then moved on to Bromley to work for Robinson, where Grande (perhaps better known as the founder of the ill-fated Properties of America), took the certification test. He passed with flying colors but was told he had to wait a couple of years, until he turned 18. Robinson left behind a history of his life and skiing, as author of “The Complete SKI Handbook,” published in 1966 by Fawcett Publications. In the ’70s, his first wife, Audrey, and her two children, Kirk and Kristi, moved from Manchester to Williamstown and were my neighbors on Cole Avenue. Kirk and his wife, Sandy, live in North Adams, and they invited me to the Hall of Fame ceremony, but I was unable to attend. Gov. Jim Douglas was among the speakers, including Andrea Mead Lawrence, who is a noted environmentalist in Mammoth Lakes, California. She was in the first class of inductees after the Vermont Ski Museum moved from a barn behind the Brandon Inn to Stowe. Peter Graves, who learned to ski at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, was the master of ceremonies. He can be seen and heard as a commentator on many national TV shows and was recently selected as the public announcer for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The Vermont Ski Museum now features a permanent 10th Mountain Division exhibit, and Noble urged the Killington assemblage to visit the museum, which was founded 20 years ago by Roy Newton of Brandon, publisher of the Vermont Skiing Newspaper. The exhibit will include photos and words by the late John Jay, who was assigned by the Army to produce training films for the 10th and to otherwise promote the World War II effort. The 1938 Williams graduate and former athletic director went on to become the nation’s leading producer of ski films, which he personally narrated. Jay’s photo of a 10th Mountain trooper was on the cover of the Hall of Fame program. Jay died a few years ago at his California home. I learned from the Robinsons that Wendy Cram, the 10th Mountain veteran who is director of grounds for the Palm House Motel in Manchester (which includes a nine-hole executive golf course) was Neil Robinson’s cousin. When I called Wendy to verify this tidbit, he said he was ready to resume full-time ski teaching at Stratton — not bad for an 83-year-old, but those 10th guys were and are tough! Incidentally, the Berkshire 10th Mountain Alumni Task Force still puts on ski trooper demonstrations at Berkshire East and other ski areas. Jedie Brooks of Savoy is unit commander. John Hitchcock of Williamstown writes frequently about the area sports scene.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
View Full Story

More Stories

Sports
image description

Lee Executes Game Plan to Perfection in Quarter-Final Win

Sports
Sports
image description

Lenox Volleyball Reaches State's Final Four

Sports
Sports
image description

Mount Greylock Boys Win 3rd Straight Regional Crown

Sports
Sports
image description

Mount Greylock Girls Again Top Monson in Western Mass Final

Sports
Sports
image description

Lenox Sweeps Its Way to Western Mass Crown

Sports
Community News
image description

North Adams License Commission Sees Little Need for License...

Community News
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?