On his 86th birthday Al Wedel, a retired music teacher, was honoured by having a ski run at Mount Washington Alpine Resort named after him.
Wedel has been a teacher all his life and worked in the Comox Valley as a music teacher through his professional career. Upon retiring from teaching, Wedel decided that teaching skiing at Mount Washington would be a great way to stay active and also share his love for the sport of skiing.
Wedel has been an active pro for over 25 years with the resort and still teaches full time. Snow School director Mike Manara explained that, "In the snow sports world there is often one legendary ski pro that has been with the snow school for long time. At Mount Washington Al Wedel is that guy!"
Manara went on to say, "Al exemplifies not only the traits of a great ski pro but a great staff member. He is accountable, passionate and works with integrity. He is a team player, who works hard and plays hard."
To honour and recognize Wedel, the resort has appropriately named a run in the beginner area "Wedel's Way."
Manara concluded, "This run is more than just a run, it exemplifies who Al is and what he means to our team. He is a role model for other staff on the mountain."
In an interview with The Record for Trio magazine, Wedel explained there are striking similarities between music and skiing. "Skiing is a very musical sport," said Wedel. "You get a rhythm going," when you're carving through the snow. "You can sing while you're skiing. (It's why) so many people yodel when they're skiing."