01 02 04 03 01 • “My dad, Victor Benchetler, ripping up the racecourse in the 1970s. He grew up in Long Beach as a full surf rat, but when he came to Mammoth to ski, he left surfing behind.”— Chris Benchetler Photo: Benchetler Family Archives 02-03 • “I lived in Bishop when I joined the Mammoth Race Team, which made me their first ‘out-of-towner.’ The head coach had seen me on a GS course and thought I had potential, so he brought it up with my dad. I think it was an opportunity for my dad to relive his dreams of being a racer, so my parents made a lot of sacrifices to let me join. He volunteered as a mountain host for a season pass, which gave him an excuse to drive me up to the mountain every weekend. I’m thankful he did.”— Chris Benchetler Photos: Benchetler Family Archives 04 • “Unfortunately, my dad passed away from cancer when I was 16 and I can’t ask him about his ski bum days, but these season passes from the 1970s show his love for Mammoth—and prove we both have a bit of longhaired hippie in us.”— Chris Benchetler Photo: Benchetler Family Archives
The Ski Journal Volume Eleven, Issue Four: Page 62
