WINTER SPORTS 133 



tows, an over-the-snow tractor or "sno-motor," which plods uphill towing a 

 spacious sled, has been developed and demonstrated by the Forest Service, 

 and the idea is making headway. These are not permanent installations; 

 that is another good thing about them. If the particular winter-sports area 

 under development does not last, the tractors can waddle on to another 

 area the winter following, and work there. In any event, the rig is free to 

 get out and do all sorts of useful work elsewhere both during and between 

 the snow seasons. 



Life and Limb ... As a people, we love speed — thrill, dash, zip. We are 

 not in general a cautious people. Examine our record as motorists — the 

 slaughter is awful. In most States you have to be examined and licensed to 

 drive a car now; but any daring idiot, young or old, can put on a pair of 

 new skis, be towed to some precipitous mountain height, shut his eyes, take 

 a dare, and take off. 



Deep snow is softer, by far, than a paved highway, and the general con- 

 centration of ski traffic on our national forests still is such that smash-ups 

 usually involve only one person at a time. To dare, on one's own power 

 only, a broken bone or so is not a bad idea, entirely; often it leads to releases 

 more satisfying and less permanently damaging than sassing the boss and 

 getting fired. 



But forest officers have many other things to do than take down the 

 mountain the physically wounded who could not wait to learn on practice 

 slopes and courses; who want to do what the newsreel showed, right away. 



"Take it easy, at the start," is an experienced forest officer's advice. 

 "Feel your way along. Don't take dares — your own, or any one else's — 

 until you feel sure that you can run the course triumphantly. Get the feel 

 of the thing gradually. Before you step off cliffs with wings on your feet, 

 learn how to use those wings. Stay on the practice slopes, away from all the 

 spectators. Never mind if the boys who have had 2 years of it call them 

 nursery slopes. It is the second-year crowd who crack up most often and 

 hardest. Take the counsel of the older skiers. Take it slow and easy at first 

 and enjoy yourself." 



