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I Sat Near Simon Dumont

Bookmark and Share            By Lou

I sat near Simon Dumont once. Honest. But I didn’t learn much about the X Games hero that way.

Ski Journal - Volume Two, Number Four

The Ski Journal - Volume Two, Number Four. That is Barrymore on the cover.

Instead, I’m learning Dumont’s inside story from my copy of The Ski Journal that arrived yesterday. Same for the origins of “free ride” in a small Swiss village where Mark Shapiro, Ace Kvale and John Falkiner laid foundations for things such as Glen Plake and Greg Stump. And Greg’s in there too, and so is Dick Barrymore. And so is a big article about chasing the origins of skiing. What’s with all the history? Is it hip now? Better dust off the old chromes, boys. Yeah, Ski Journal is a WildSnow supporter. But I’d prop them no matter what. Incredible.

Posted by Lou on December 12, 2008 | Filed Under Book Reviews, History 

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Comments

7 Responses to “I Sat Near Simon Dumont”

  1. Tucker December 12th, 2008 11:06 am

    Simon Dumont is probably saying the same thing about sitting next to Lou Dawson…

  2. Nick Lewis December 12th, 2008 11:49 am

    Hey Lou,

    Talking of history…. take a look at Roland Huntford’s “Two Planks and a Passion” which has just come out. He goes right back to 3000BC and looks at the development of skiing right up to the modern day. Some astonishing stuff – did you know the Vikings invented roller skis?! Anyway, a tremendous read to learn how it all came about.

  3. J-F Bertrand December 12th, 2008 3:15 pm

    Interesting, Nick. How does it compare with John Fry’s “The Story of Modern Skiing”?

  4. Nick Lewis December 12th, 2008 4:13 pm

    I don’t know J-F, I haven’t read it yet. Do you recommend it?

  5. gillesleskieur December 12th, 2008 4:16 pm

    well, Verbier/Clambin is in Switzerland, not France..

  6. Lou December 12th, 2008 4:18 pm

    Whoops, thanks, it even said that in the article. Slip of the keyboard. Fixed now.

  7. Mark Worley December 14th, 2008 7:04 pm

    I once nearly collided with Phil Mahre at the local ski area. I realize some of the younger readers are likely thinking, “Phil who…?”

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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