NH Secrets Legends &amp; Lore

Birch Tapestry

Sunlight on a Washline in Dominica

Sunlight on the Oz Transport

The Birth of Freestyle Skiing at Waterville Valley Podcast Series Overview

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Ep 114 Nick & Suzi Preston - A Life in Skiing, A Freestyle Life

New Hampshire

Secrets, Legends & Lore

Featured on the NH Center for Public Interest Journalism - InDepthNH.org

Nick & Suzi Preston

The Birth of Freestyle Skiing at Waterville Valley Series

From Anamaki Chronicles and InDepthNH.org

Nick & Suzi Preston

Nick & Suzi Preston - A Life in Skiing, A Freestyle Life

Nick and Suzi Preston are a picture of the evolution of modern skiing, especially Freestyle Skiing. From the day that six-year-old Nick strapped on his mother's skis and beartrap bindings to join his best friend after a winter storm in Connecticut; to the Ski Instructor Clinic following their graduation from college to their self-described student-taught move into Freestyle Competition. Their journey in life has taken them from falling in love with skiing (and each other) to serious Freestyle competition to coaching and Inn-keeping. Together they have mentored more than 12 Olympic Freestyle skiers, leading to three gold medals through their Freestyle America corporation and Freestyle Camps. Nick has coached the US Team and been a private coach to Gold Medalist Hannah Kearney. He was a coach to the very first US team to go into the Soviet Union under Perestroika.

But ask them about their life in Freestyle and they will be the first to tell you that the medals and awards are great but it is the life-journey that has been the path to finding their joy.

They live in Campton, New Hampshire, where they continue to coach and mentor skiers young and old at their Mountainfare Inn and Freestyle America Camps.

Listen to the Podcast Here

Watch on YouTube - Nick & Suzi Preston - A Life in Skiing, A Freestyle Life

From Anamaki Chronicles and InDepthNH.org

This podcast series was produced in three main parts with ancillary interviews also published. YouTube interviews are included where possible.

Nick Preston & Hannah Kearney with her Gold Medal

FreestyleAmerica.com

Mountainfare Inn

Suzi and Nick Preston; info@mountainfareinn.com · (603) 726-4283.

Hannah Kearney Takes Home the Gold in 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDuj4tXCS4I

Hannah and Nick Journey to Gold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk7oOdGGGTs

Hannah Kearney's Bumpy Ride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2HaQXG0Egw

New Hampshire’s Mogul and Freestyle Skiing Legacy at Waterville Valley: Insights from Nick and Suzi Preston

Waterville Valley's freestyle ski coach helps 5 current Olympians
Nick Preston has helped 13 Olympians since 1980

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nick.preston.1848/

Worked at Waterville Valley Academy, worked at Waterville Valley BBTS, studied at Colby College, went to Westminster School, married to Suzi Preston.

Sunday, February 16, 2025

EP 116 Jack Sanders: a brilliant legal mind and protector of Freestyle.

New Hampshire

Secrets, Legends & Lore

Featured on the NH Center for Public Interest Journalism - InDepthNH.org

Jack Sanders:

A brilliant legal mind and protector of Freestyle.

The Birth of Freestyle Skiing at Waterville Valley Series

From Anamaki Chronicles and InDepthNH.org

Jack Sanders - Courtesy Photo

Attorney Jack Sanders

Listen Here

https://www.anamaki.com/art-productions/podcasts/new-hampshire-secrets-legends-lore

Jack Sanders a brilliant legal mind and protector of Freestyle.

Jack Sanders a brilliant legal mind and protector of Freestyle

While most folks in his native state of New Hampshire knew Jack Sanders as one of the finest attorneys in NH, but something else was happening "backstage" that most did not know about. Jack's love of skiing and freestyle was compelling him into the national freestyle legal space. He got into it somewhat reluctantly at the urging of Floyd Wilkie who was concerned about the future of freestyle and felt it needed the steady hand of Jack Sanders and his legal expertise to assure a brighter future. Ultimately, Jack would serve in a national role, helping to provide guidance to the young sport in its time of need.

A Dogs Life in Mexico

A Rest at Jefferson Highlands

The Rose and the Headdress

Open Edition Prints (unsigned)

Overview

From Anamaki Chronicles and InDepthNH.org

This podcast series was produced in three main parts with ancillary interviews also published. YouTube interviews are included where possible.

Sunlight Follows Rain on Lupine

Birch Tapestry

For a signed 16" x 24" original of this image, click here

Lupine Spike Impressions

Signed Originals

For a signed 5" x 8" miniature original of this image, click here

Sunlight on a Washline in Dominica

In the Wake of the Storm on Asquamchumaukee

Cabin at the Edge of the World

Sunlight on the Oz Transport

Unsigned open-edition print of any size and merchandise

ABQ Dawn Impressions

Signed Original

High Country Aspen
Signed Originals. Unsigned Open Edition Prints

Pontook Birch Monochrome
Signed Originals Unsigned Open Edition Prints

A Glow of Lilies
Signed Originals. Unsigned Open Edition Prints

Monday, January 27, 2025

117 Bernie Weischel: 75 Years on the Boards and an Exhibition Guy at Heart

New Hampshire

Secrets, Legends & Lore

Featured on the NH Center for Public Interest Journalism - InDepthNH.org

Bernie Weischel:

75 Years on the Boards and an Exhibition Guy at Heart

The Birth of Freestyle Skiing at Waterville Valley Series

From Anamaki Chronicles and InDepthNH.org

Bernie Weischel - Courtesy Photo

117 Bernie Weischel: 75 Years on the Boards and an Exhibition Guy at Heart

Last year Bernie logged more than 50 days skiing at 75 years of age. He is still an active and eager part of the skiing community and a key member of the team that made Freestyle possible, even when it was back on its heels.

Running events and shows is never easy but Bernie seemed to make it look so.

Cloud Over Loveland Monochrome
Signed Originals Unsigned Open Edition Prints

Colors Above the Notch
Signed Originals Unsigned Open Edition Prints

Overview

From Anamaki Chronicles and InDepthNH.org

This podcast series was produced in three main parts with ancillary interviews also published. YouTube interviews are included where possible.

Part 1 - The Dreamers and the Doers

The 1960s and 1970s were a time of excitement and innovation, driven by people from all walks of life. The growth and development of Waterville Valley and the explosion of Freestyle skiing was no exception. Consequently, telling the story of the birth of Freestyle skiing requires that we open our minds to what happens when we mix blueblood Northcountry families like Ralph and Grace Bean and their two boys Danny and Dave, Olympic skiers like Tom Corcoran and his friends: Doug Pfieffer editor of “Skiing Magazine”, the Kennedys of Massachusetts, with immigrant-made-good dynasties in the making like the Dunfeys, and college students lured to the “Valley” by a love of the mountains and skiing like John and Donni Hughes, and other accomplished and talented long-timers like Raymond Brox and his family. These were the dreamers and doers.

https://feeds.podetize.com/ep/merRchZ-4/media

https://www.anamaki.com/art-productions/podcasts/new-hampshire-secrets-legends-lore

Sunlight Follows Rain on Lupine

https://feeds.podetize.com/ep/h9zwlyIsg/media

Part 2 - The Mentors and the Protectors

Then there were the Mentors, the Protectors: the men and women who had fallen in love first with skiing and then with Freestyle and its devil-may-care skiers. They brought their wisdom and enthusiasm to the sport, people like JD Nelson, Jack Sanders, and Bernie Weishel who - on more than one occasion - rescued Freestyle from the jaws of extinction in a society increasingly placing bumpers and belts on our lives and bodies to protect us from ourselves.

Nick and Suzy Preston, who provided the pushback by helping the athletes push the envelope safely: building their bodies, confidence and skills to protect them.

https://www.anamaki.com/art-productions/podcasts/new-hampshire-secrets-legends-lore

Birch Tapestry

https://www.anamaki.com/art-productions/podcasts/new-hampshire-secrets-legends-lore

Part 3 - The Athletes: The Birth of Freestyle Skiing at Waterville Valley: Part 3: Surfers of the Moguls, Pioneers of the Air

Listen here: https://feeds.podetize.com/ofL4BwKTS.mp3

The excitement of Freestyle was, ultimately, the domain of the athletes, the hot doggers : Wayne Wong, George Askevold, Floyd Wilkie and Billy Fallon among others. Their defenders: Tom Corcoran, Frank Deboise, the nations first African-American certified ski instructor and Ski School Director Paul Pfosi had the vision to see beyond the back-biting and competitiveness between Racers and Freestylers. They provided the support and cover for Freestyle to continue to grow.

Accompanying Interviews

Frank Deboise

Frank Deboise: https://feeds.podetize.com/HGW31ThDn.mp3

Show notes

Nick & Suzi Preston

Nick & Suzi Preston - A Life in Skiing, a Freestyle Life https://feeds.podetize.com/ep/bRHCU52Td/media

https://www.anamaki.com/art-productions/podcasts/new-hampshire-secrets-legends-lore

YouTube - Coming soon