A page to give recognition to the people from the Snowsports industry that have inspired me.
George Stutz
I first worked with George when we were both volunteer instructors at the Ski Windham Adaptive Program in the 80s and 90s. The last time I saw him he was 84 years old and teaching snowboarding on weekdays. He has since passed on.
George Stutz (in blue) + Matt with monoskier circa 1994
Gwen Allard
Gwen Allard was a pioneer in the ski instruction industry, and specifically adaptive skiing and snowboarding for people with physical and cognitive challenges. Her direct influence on thousands of people has spread far and wide. She was inducted into the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame in 2001 and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2022, she died in 2023. Gwen led the adaptive program at Windham while I was a volunteer instructor and clinic leader from 1996 to 1999. This is one of the most significant experiences of my life. Gwen taught me how to help blind people to ski and snowboard. I saw the effort that people will make to accomplish what others say they should not be able to do.
Charlie Kleiman
Charlie Kleiman (pictured in blue) is a champion adaptive snowboard racer. Although he is not always the fastest, his attitude and perseverance is superb. He learned snowboarding at the Adaptive Sports Foundation at Windham and continues to work with them. I can always count on a high five and hug from Charlie when he is not on duty working with lift operations. Charlie is an honorary life member of Shralpers Union.
Noel Korman
Noel Korman with the Shralpers Union crew in Ray’s van heading to the Broadway B*mb 2014
Noel Korman is a legend in the Northeast snowboard and skateboard scene, and I cannot possibly list his accomplishments on one page. His motto was “High Fives and Positive Vibes”. I met him when we were buying snowboard boots for my son in 2011 at Mount Everest in Westwood, NJ. He had been a snowboard salesman for many years and always said “I sell smiles”. Noel is a co-founder of Shralpers Union, a world-wide collective of board sports enthusiasts. He organized and emceed many skate and snow events and could always be found by his “SHRALP IT!” exclamation. Noel died in a tragic carbon-monoxide accident in 2014, and New Jersey’s Korman-Park law requiring CO detectors in multi-use buildings is named for him.
Sometimes, when I’m alone on the top of the mountain, I shout out “Noel Korman! Noel Korman!” with the hope that he will be with me and keep me safe during the thrilling descent.