Sports

Legendary Skier Visits Discovery Ski Basin

Posted: Jan 14, 2013 7:02 PM by Mark Freeman
Updated: Jan 14, 2013 7:08 PM

If you decided to cut class and hit the hill up at Discovery Ski Basin Monday, you were in for a treat. Elan Skis held a demo day for patrons to check out the latest gear about to hit the shelf. But there was one added bonus. A pro to show ‘em how it's done.

Glen Plake is considered one of the pioneers of extreme skiing and is on a promotional tour across the country. But it's chances to hit the small hills like Discovery that he cherishes the most.

"It's cool," says Plake. "It's really nice to see everyone out here on a Monday skiing at the local hill. It means a lot to me actually."

And while Glen is certainly here to do some important publicity for a new line of skis and also ski with the public, he's also here to do something a little more important like taking time with two teams from the Special Olympics out of Butte and Anaconda.

"Being around the Special Olympic guys and seeing what they do. Whatching ‘em, I think we all have the same problem," Plake explains. "It's not easy. You gotta learn how to ski. It's not really ‘Special' Olympics to me. They're looking at their skis and I'm looking at mine. That's just the way skiing is."

As for what's next for glen? He continues his promotional tour and then heads back to France where he makes his home now...right next to his favorite local hill.