Diplomas for Masters

Skiing is a $20,000,000 industry in the U. S. Six hundred thousand people have discovered that it is less expensive than driving high-powered automobiles or airplanes, quite as dangerous and thrilling. To increase the knowledge of skiing and make it a little less dangerous for the untrained or badly trained 75% of U. S. skiers, whose numbers are increasing 100% each year, the National Ski Association last week took steps. The association, a member of the Federation Internationale de Ski, believes that U. S. skiing has reached the point where only teachers of proven qualifications should give skiing instruction, as is the custom in Europe. To gain this approval, plus a handsome diploma, potential U. S. Ski-meisters journeyed to Bolton, Vt. to be inspected by Otto Eugen Schniebs, head of the newly formed American Ski School.

Otto Schniebs is a solid little Bavarian, who has probably done more for the promotion of skiing in the U. S. than any other person. Until last year he was ski coach at Dartmouth College, where he turned out six championship teams in six years. His Dartmouth pupils, all very fond of him, constantly baited him just to hear him reply in his terrific guttural accent. A few years ago a pupil asked him what to do if, on a downhill run, he should suddenly rush upon a spot studded with rocks and trees. Replied astute Otto Schniebs: "Get off und valk."

For the edification of dubs and experts alike, the alltime, definitive book on skiing is being published this week. Skiing, the International Sport* contains 21 articles on every phase of skiing by the world's leading authorities. It contains nine reproductions of paintings in full color and 250 photographs. Some of the authors, notably Richard Durrance, Arnold Lunn, Charles Proctor and Birger Ruud, will be skiing in the U. S. this winter.

Last week, all activities in the skiing world were pointed up when a dozen European experts, imported to teach U. S. skiers, demonstrated their skill at Boston's third annual indoor Winter Sports Show, and railroads throughout the nation simultaneously announced the schedules of this season's ski trains.

*Derrydale Press--$35.

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