Not Just Another Snowstorm

posted in: The Stories of Pitman NJ | 0

By Mel Spiegel, March 26, 2014 — March 1980, what could be so unusual—just another month, just another year. But add 44 inches of snow in a area that’s for skiers, that’s something else!

There were seven of us that shared a ski house in Killington VT, and over the years, I became a better and more adventurous skier. It was March 16, 1980, and we had a 44-inch snowfall, and we were all quite anxious to get out onto the slopes. I was the earliest riser and set out about 6:00 AM, headed for the top of the mountain. Going down the first run was fantastic, more snow than I had ever skied on. It wasn’t hard to break the cardinal law of skiing: Ski in control, stay within your own ability.

About a half-hour into the run, I reached a turn that I could not negotiate, and lo and behold, I started to fall. It seemed to have lasted forever, but in the chaos I did hear something snap. I just laid there, afraid to move, and I then realized I broke my leg.

But all things that are not pleasant end that way. Being in a full leg cast, I was determined that was not going to keep me down. So about two weeks later, I went to a Parents Without Partners get-together. There I met my now wife Verna, and we’ve lived happily ever after.