This is a bi-weekly column (well, most of the time) highlighting our ski coaches from around the country…. including elite coaches, college coaches, high school coaches, volunteer coaches, and learn-to-ski coaches, and ambassadors to our sport. This is an effort to sample a diverse group of coaches/volunteers and recognize the people who are the backbone of today’s nordic community. If you would like to nominate a coach for an interview, please email rob@fasterskier.com. Please give coach’s name, email, phone, and a several paragraph describing the nominee, their attributes, something unique about the person, and any other pertinent information.
Coaches Around the Country: Don Quinn
FasterSkier · January 16, 2008
However, with age and retirement, it was time to get out of coaching at the junior level. The knowledge and experience is there, but it is tough to keep up with the younger kids. After 30 years, it was time to move on. Thus, the opportunity to continue to coach/teach the adult program is a means of being involved at a different level. Unfortunately, some adults, have a bad experience with equipment or waxing and end up quitting.
Cross country skiing is a very complex and academic sport. It takes time and patience to develop. Thus, I enjoy the teaching aspect and so it's fun to work with the local adults a few times per week. It gets them out and provides a means of promoting and supporting the local program.
3. What other Colorado coach do you look up to?
The tone for coaching was set with my college coach Sven Wiik. He taught us the importance of being a good teacher and keeping things simple. The need to practice and demostrate proper techniques. The instructional drills on the football or soccer fields is were it is at. Skiing technically well, requires some focus and good level of fitness.
Karl Remsen, who is now in charge of the local program, is very knowledgeable and passionate about xc skiing. He has a grasp of the classic techniques and current training methods at altitude.
4. Many people know that the Dave Quinn Award, in honor of your brother, is a prestigious award given to a junior athlete that epitomizes the spirit and dedication to xc skiing. Have their been any winners of that award over the years that have really stuck out in your mind, and have had any lasting impressions on you?
The Dave Quinn award in honor of my twin brother is a very prestigious award. The neat thing about the award is that it honors someone who is passionate about the sport and demonstrates some good character. Kids will make mistakes. However, they need to learn from them and move forward. Cross country skiing is a great sport to learn life time values of commitment, sportsmanship, organization, and care of equipment. It is a work ethic sport. It requires the physical doing. A great learning tool.
There have been many recepients that have gone on to do many things for the sport. If nothing else, other than to be good citizens.
5. You've stayed in Leadville all these years, even through the Climax Mine closure. Any memorable stories involving ski coaching and seeing the town progress?
At 10,000 feet, Leadville is a tough place to live with six months of winter. It takes a special type of person to survive. Love of the outdoors, four seasons, the mountains, clean fresh air, and the small town atmosphere keep us here. When Climax was going strong, we had some good skiing families in the community. Their parents had a strong work ethic and the family was solid. They enjoyed hunting and fishing. It gave the kids an opportunity to get involved during the winter with an outdoor activity. The local ski areas at Climax and Ski Cooper were affordable and a great place to learn to ski. We had student athletes who were competitive and did the training necessary to compete at the state and national level.
We had some lean years, when the mine closed. However, the program is back on track with increased numbers.
6. What's you favorite ski trail system in the West?
In the West, there are many good trail systems. However, a few remain with the back country or timber/forest setting. With golf course skiing and urban sprawl, one is skiing amongst developments and many of the trails are loosing some of their special nordic features.
CMC Timberline Trails and the Mineral Bike Trail. Both located in Leadville and maintained for skate and classic skiing, with easy access and variable terrain.
7. What is your dream ski vacation?
To ski in a few of the Worldloppet races. Either Europe or Scandinavia. Just to be part of the scene and get a feel for their passion of nordic and downhill skiing.
8. Anything else you'd like add?
It's been neat to see the many changes in the sport and yet be passionate about it. From the wood skis to the high tech models. To see skating evolve and how the two styles compliment one another. They are so similar in movement. Snow was meant to glide on. The skate skiing is a lot of fun, when the conditions are fast. Spring crust skiing in the back country or on the frozen lakes. Classic skiing enables one to build a strong base for the greater demands of skating. Also, one can get out and classic ski, if the touring centers aren't open.
It's also great to see how well the US is doing Internationally. We are getting some good results. There are some good programs throughout the country with strong support and great coaching. It's exciting.
