Jean-Claude Killy

[Oldlknapp]

50 years ago (in the next few weeks) Jean-Claude Killy came to Appalachian Ski Mountain to promote the “French-Swiss ski college”, and demonstrate downhill alpine skiing.
Problem was it had been such a warm winter up to that point that there was almost no snow on the slopes... even some bear (bare) spots.
Remember?

[hapapp]

50 years ago (in the next few weeks) Jean-Claude Killy came to Appalachian Ski Mountain to promote the “French-Swiss ski college”, and demonstrate downhill alpine skiing.
Problem was it had been such a warm winter up to that point that there was almost no snow on the slopes... even some bear (bare) spots.
Remember?

It was my junior year.

[pop5app]

50 years ago (in the next few weeks) Jean-Claude Killy came to Appalachian Ski Mountain to promote the “French-Swiss ski college”, and demonstrate downhill alpine skiing.
Problem was it had been such a warm winter up to that point that there was almost no snow on the slopes... even some bear (bare) spots.
Remember?

It was my junior year.

Yep, I remember. Sophomore year for me. Even though those years are a little “hazy”, for a variety of reasons, I do remember.

[1ASU78]

50 years ago (in the next few weeks) Jean-Claude Killy came to Appalachian Ski Mountain to promote the “French-Swiss ski college”, and demonstrate downhill alpine skiing.
Problem was it had been such a warm winter up to that point that there was almost no snow on the slopes... even some bear (bare) spots.
Remember?

It was my junior year.

Yep, I remember. Sophomore year for me. Even though those years are a little “hazy”, for a variety of reasons, I do remember.

Didn’t he also come to ski on an artificial surface? Some type of mat/grass with silicone balls in it? I think he hung out in the area some.

[pop5app]

50 years ago (in the next few weeks) Jean-Claude Killy came to Appalachian Ski Mountain to promote the “French-Swiss ski college”, and demonstrate downhill alpine skiing.
Problem was it had been such a warm winter up to that point that there was almost no snow on the slopes... even some bear (bare) spots.
Remember?

It was my junior year.

Yep, I remember. Sophomore year for me. Even though those years are a little “hazy”, for a variety of reasons, I do remember.

Didn’t he also come to ski on an artificial surface? Some type of mat/grass with silicone balls in it? I think he hung out in the area some.

I believe you are right. App ski had a strip of artificial snow toward the bottom of the advanced slope. It was supposed to be a great advancement in skiing but apparently it didn’t take of .

[Oldlknapp]

I think I remember seeing a photo where posed on skis in the artificial snow. Not sure, but think he was wearing a white turtleneck sweater in the pic. Not a heavy ski coat.

[hapapp]

I think I remember seeing a photo where posed on skis in the artificial snow. Not sure, but think he was wearing a white turtleneck sweater in the pic. Not a heavy ski coat.

https://www.hcpress.com/img/Jean-Claude ... 00x378.jpg

[Oldlknapp]

Thanks for the pic!!!

[1ASU78]

Thanks for the pic!!!

I think he made it in one of the Rhododendrons too.

[asu66]

I think I remember seeing a photo where posed on skis in the artificial snow. Not sure, but think he was wearing a white turtleneck sweater in the pic. Not a heavy ski coat.

I was just out of grad school, but working in the area. I remember that pic.

[biggie]

Admittedly never really looked up the history of French-Swiss ski college, even after working for it for a year in my 2nd senior year.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

It was a few years later but picked up a PE credit there.

[BambooRdApp]

I worked at French Swiss ski shop prepping skis for church groups. The shop was on HWY 105 Foscoe area. Not sure if affiliated.

[Oldlknapp]

It was a few years later but picked up a PE credit there.

Several of us took that PE course. As I recall we paid (maybe) $30 for a book of (maybe) 15 or 20 lift & rental tickets. It was very inexpensive. And with a group of us great fun... and end up at the Antlers.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

It was a few years later but picked up a PE credit there.

Several of us took that PE course. As I recall we paid (maybe) $30 for a book of (maybe) 15 or 20 lift & rental tickets. It was very inexpensive. And with a group of us great fun... and end up at the Antlers.

By the time I took it in winter '89 it was $100 but a steal for the amount of time on the slopes. That was the book and the lift and rental all together I am pretty sure.

[huskie3]

That was fun, I drove the PE bus to the slopes one year. Tickets not used for class could be used at other times.

[mike87]

I worked at French Swiss ski shop prepping skis for church groups. The shop was on HWY 105 Foscoe area. Not sure if affiliated.

I did the same in 85. A perk of the job was a pass at Hawksnest. May have had one at App Ski Mountain as well but I only used the Hawksnest pass. Probably because it was across the street and the pay from the shop didn't support a drive all the way over to App Ski Mtn.