As I begin my new role as your President, I would first like to express my deepest appreciation to all the past Presidents and board members who have poured their hearts into this organization. I especially want to recognize our outgoing President, Ty Anderson, and his wife, Nita, for their dedication and support. Ty’s commitment, leadership, and vision, along with the efforts of the board members and volunteers, have introduced new systems and technology that are helping our association remain relevant and connected to the next generation of skiers.
Sixteen years ago, several longtime mentors invited me to attend our Sun Valley event. Tex Steere, Lelund Roslund, LeRoy Kingland, and others recognized that our association needed younger members to ensure its future. As a result, the board voted to lower the membership age to 55. Fourteen years ago, my wife Nanette and I joined the Ancient Skiers Association, and that decision has since allowed dozens of other enthusiastic skiers to become members as well.
I am extremely honored to serve as your next President. I hold a special place in my heart for this association, for those who are active today, and for those who have taken their final run. The values upon which this organization was founded are important to preserve, as are the friendships and connections I have made with so many of you over the years.
Now that I have sold my businesses, stepped away from other board positions, and am enjoying retirement, I have the time to fully dedicate myself to the Ancient Skiers Association. I am excited about our future because we have an outstanding Board of Directors with many creative ideas that will strengthen our organization, support our mission, and add meaningful benefits for our members. I encourage each of you to get to know our board members and share your stories and ideas as we continue building on the legacy of the Ancient Skiers Association.
Several people have asked about my skiing background. I began skiing at age five in 1962, the same year Crystal Mountain opened. It was there that my family learned to ski and developed a lifelong love for the sport. In the mid-1960s, my father joined the Hyak Ski Patrol, and we spent nearly every winter weekend on the mountain. He eventually became Patrol Director, and I was fortunate to log thousands of ski runs as a youngster.
During those years, a ski race coach recognized my abilities and invited me to start running gates. It was there that I quickly learned how to truly turn my skis. At age 13, I was invited to participate in a movie with Corky Fowler and the K2 Demonstration Team called Corky and the Kids, filmed on Sun Valley’s Limelight Run. Around that same time, Peter Kennedy sponsored me with PK ski boots and poles, which paired nicely with my new K2 race skis. Believe it or not, I was also one of the first ski racers in the Northwest to be sponsored on Spademan bindings. That was a short-lived but memorable experience!
As my skiing developed in the early 1970s, I joined the CMAC racing program at Crystal Mountain, where I enjoyed considerable success and developed a lifelong passion for racing gates. Later in the decade, I discovered freestyle skiing and began competing in local mogul contests, often winning events and performing flips on my 205 cm skis. That chapter came to an abrupt end when I blew out my knee in 1978. Today, after multiple surgeries and two knee replacements, I am perfectly content cruising groomed runs and enjoying fresh powder whenever possible.
One of my favorite traditions is our January ski week in Sun Valley. I treasure the opportunity to ski with all of you and appreciate the encouragement we give one another to keep skiing, no matter our age or speed.
I encourage each of you to invite a friend to join this special group of skiers. Together, we can continue growing our membership, preserving our traditions, and sharing our passion for the sport we love.
I look forward to seeing you on the slopes and making a few turns together.
Ski Ya Later,
Rick Stocks
President, Ancient Skiers