The fundamental question that needs to be answered before organizing something like this is whether it will be under the radar or not. When we did our reenactment in
May 2005
, it was under the radar. We did not ask for permission from the Park and we kept it relatively quiet afterward (except for discussions on TAY).
Following that event, I was contacted by a local ski promoter about doing it again sometime. He thought it could be "a great story leading to a terrific film / tv production." He also said, "I have film production people and sponsors who might jump at the chance."
This query made me nervous because I assumed that the Park Service would not grant permission for something like this. I told the promoter this and said I wasn't interested in reviving the Silver Skis in any formal way. Perhaps my assumption was wrong--I don't know.
So that's the key issue. Do you raise the question with the Park and risk getting shut down? Or do you play "don't ask, don't tell?" If you fly under the radar, it's pretty easy to organize something like this.
If you managed to get permission to hold the race, I would definitely invite
Wolf Bauer
to be there. He was in the original race in 1934 and is turning 97 this month. I know at least one other skier from the original race who is still around, but he does not live in the Seattle area. There may be more.
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