Midwest Ski Journal likes to highlight a few pieces of skiing internet worth your time in Linking Turns. Find the best, most important, least important and otherwise links here each week.
This week, we dig into the Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision lawsuit saga before taking a look at the latter career of ski legend Glen Plake. Finally, we review an extensive list of recommendations for dads who are taking their young ones onto the hill.
TURN 1: Gwyneth Paltrow Countersues as Ski Crash Lawsuit Gets More Muddled Than a Marbleized Yoni Egg (Micah Abrams/Powder Magazine)
The gist: A doctor was skiing Deer Valley in 2016 when he collided with Gwyneth Paltrow. He sues for $3.1 million claiming he broke ribs and sustained a brain injury in the collision. Now, Paltrow is counter suing for $1, claiming she was downslope of the doctor and, therefore, had the right of way on the run.
This strange skiing legal saga has taken yet another turn and this Powder Magazine piece outlines the series of events with a wry perspective.
A $3 million lawsuit between a movie star and a doctor is sooooo Deer Valley.
TURN 2: Glen Plake’s ‘Down Home Tour’: The Importance of Small Ski Areas in Ski Culture (Katharine Erwin/Adventure Sports Network)
Glen Plake’s fame stems from his propensity to go big.
He has a big personality, skied some big lines and starred in some of skiing’s biggest movies.
Now, however, he is gaining fame from going small. This Adventure Sports Network piece highlights Plake’s newest part of his long and illustrious career.
Since 1991, Plake and his wife Kimberly have been spontaneously visiting small ski areas and riding with the locals. Unannounced, the two show up in their custom diesel Freightliner (basically, a badass motorhome). Plake has an affinity for off-road vehicles and racing (you might have seen him hosting on Truck Night in America) takes care of the maintenance of the truck. Then the two just hang out. From green runs to ski racing practice to out of bounds jaunts with ski patrol, the Plakes’ presence is a never planned, and always a gift to those who just happen to be at the ski area at the same time.
Katharine Erwin/Adventure Sports Network
Read the story and the interview with Plake about why its important for him to ski small sometimes too.
TURN 3: How to Be the Cool Dad When Skiing (Amy Jamieson/Askmen.com)
I’m not a dad and when I see dads skiing with kids, I never feel envious of them. It’s hard work going skiing and even harder work when the people with you are inept, mistake-prone children.
This extensive list from askmen.com details some ways to make the experience more tolerable.
The tips include keeping them fed, having them carry their own gear and not over-spending on equipment needs.
Here are their helpful tips about feeding the munchkins:
A flattened granola bar in your inside jacket pocket is your best friend. It can buy a guy a valuable tantrum delay and will at least give the kids the boost they need to get down the difficult bit of the slope. If there’s a decent amount of time on the chair lift, surprise them with a snack and you’ll be a hero.
Think of snacks in your pocket as a lifesaving EpiPen, but for tantrums and unpredictable drama. (“Dad, my toe is FROZEN!”) And for God’s sake, take breaks for food if needed. No one gets a medal for most time spent on the mountain. If they’re tired AND hungry, things can snowball really fast and your day might end with tears from them, and you screaming that you’re done. Nobody wants that to be their last memory of skiing.
Amy Jamieson/Askmen.com
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