ROMANTIC STORIES

"Don’t Teach Your Loved One - Let the Pros Do Their Thing”

This story was Published in The Maine Sunday Telegram

Published: February 2001

By Heather Burke

He's an extreme skier and former mogul pro, having starred in 12 Warren Miller movies. She won the women's World Cup Pro Tour giant slalom championship in 1998. Two expert skiers attracted to each other by their finesse on the slopes. Is this an ideal marriage or an Alpine power struggle?

In fact, Dan Egan and Michaela Fera-Egan of New Hampshire, like many couples, have "skiing issues." Skiing side by side with your loved one can be exhilarating. Teaching your loved one to ski, however, can send your relationship downhill fast.

"It happens five or six times a weekend," said Scott Condon, ski school director at Shawnee Peak. Invariably, after an hour of trying to learn from a loved one, they come in frustrated and looking for a lesson. "In fact, during preseason we train our instructors on how to carefully break down what a friend or spouse has taught, and then get the new skier going with proper instruction."

The Egans, Dan and Miki (short for Michaela), conduct couples-only clinics to help resolve on-slope diff- erences. They welcome all intermediate and advanced skiers, and ensure that everyone will fit in. Co-authors of the book "All Terrain Skiing" and the video "The Chairlift Ski Guide," the Egans specialize in teaching couples of generally different ability levels to improve their skiing and make their time on the slopes together more enjoyable.

Dan and Miki first divide the group according to abilities to improve individual skills, focusing on stance and controllable acceleration. Then couples are reunited for ski adventures in a clinic format.
The theory is that in sports relationships, there is the more proficient leader and the less aggressive follower.

"We change the conversation within the relationship. By letting the skier in the passive role make the decisions, it changes the conversation from 'you can do it' to 'try this,' " said Dan.

One couple at a recent clinic stated that after 25 years of skiing together, "our whole skiing relationship changed and became more fun."

The Egans create a fun, non-intimidating atmosphere with lots of humor. "Skiing brought Michaela and I together, and so we get a kick out of seeing other couples enjoying the sport as well," said Dan. "We are on a crusade to wipe out the recreational widow."

Couples clinics are offered at five resorts each season. (http://www.enganentertainment.com)

Take it from the experts: Leave the teaching to the pros. Another suggestion to even the playing field is to try something new to both of you. Snowblades, evening snowshoe tours or tubing are a few alternatives now offered at Maine ski areas.

Six of the top 10 romantic ski resorts in North America are an easy drive from Portland. According to the contributors to Skiing America Guide Book, the top 10 resorts are: Sun Valley, Idaho; Quebec, Canada; Aspen, Colorado; Santa Fe, N.M.; Balsams Grand Resort, N.H.; Stowe, Vt.; Mont Tremblant, Quebec; Jackson, N.H.; Banff, Canada; and Mad River Valley, Vt.

These locales were selected for offering the perfect combination of dream-like atmosphere with beautiful lodging, cozy dining, charming towns and picturesque trails where couples can ski or snowboard together.

For a Nordic adventure together, L.L. Bean offers an outdoor discovery course at the Balsams in Dixville, N.H. Participants take part in expert-led sessions in cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and map and compass reading during the day concluding with four-star accommodations, cuisine and entertainment each evening at the historic resort. Call 800-255-0600 for dates and rates or visit (www.thebalsams.com).
 

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