Our town is full of unsung heroes. There are too many to name, but I would like to recognize a group who quietly help make Park City one of the most extraordinary places in the world to raise a family: our youth ski program instructors. I have children in three programs: my 5 year old participat es in the weekend Adventure program, my 7 year old is on Farm Team, and my 9 year old skis with Devo. On the surface, they are learning edges, turns, gates and speed control. But what they are truly being taught goes far beyond skiing. My 5 year old — who is wonderfully social — has learned to introduce herself to strangers on the chairlift and proudly explain the skills she’s working on. That confidence did not appear overnight. It’s being cultivated by patient instructors like Emmy who make the mountain fun. My 7 year old has coaches Dottie and Patrick. Coaching U8s (under 8 years old) must be harder than herding cats! Yet they do far more than manage energy and chaos. They teach discipline, accountability and self-reliance. When my son made the poor choice to throw a snowball at a building, the entire team hiked from the bottom to the top of First Time lift. It was a team consequence. It was uncomfortable. And it was exactly the right lesson. Responsibility, ownership and shared accountability were learned on that hike. My 9 year old’s Devo coaches, including Dar Hendrickson and several others, have instilled focus and mental toughness that extend well beyond the race course. The discipline she’s learning on the mountain has made her more mature — at school, at home, and with her friends. These coaches show up early, stay late, work in cold and wind, and pour energy into our children week after week. They are shaping character as much as carving turns. Here’s to the instructors who help develop not just strong skiers, but responsible, resilient young adults. Park City is better because of them. Austin Smith Park City The post Unsung heroes appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less