Dear Exhibit Visitors,
I created this digital exhibit because I, myself, am a Smith student who is passionate about skiing. I wanted to share about the ways in which Smith students historically found community, competition, and celebration through skiing.
Smithies’ determination and genuine love for skiing helped to empower them to pursue skiing at a time where women were not encouraged to passionately pursue such a dangerous sport. Through practicing on Hospital Hill everyday to inviting visiting instructors to campus to having skiing film viewings, Smithies were ingrained in ski culture. They were pioneers in the sport who were committed to finding success on the slopes.
In the mid-20th century as almost every Smith student owned a pair of skis. Skiing became an integral part of student life as skis lined the porches of the houses and classrooms were filled with the latest ski fashions. In the New England winter, it was impossible to escape the influence that ski culture had on Smith culture.
However because of the consumerist nature of the sport, Smithies with economic privileges had greater access to participating in the skiing. With greater economic privilege, often comes greater success. For wealthier students skiing was an enjoyable way to display their wealth and strengthen their elite social ties but for everyone swept up by skiing, the sport became a liberating, adventurous pastime.
I hope that you all get swept up in the story of Smithies successes as skiers in the mid-20th century and that it inspires you to get out on Hospital Hill on the next snow day.
Thank you,
Elizabeth MacNeil
Me at Okemo in Ludlow, VT this year, 2023!