Winter Mountains Photo by Dianna Troyer
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Barry and Sheryl Whiting are soulmates on and off the ski slopes
Longtime ski instructors Barry and Sheryl Whiting celebrate Valentine’s Day at Pomerelle Mountain Resort, where they have taught for decades. [Photo by Dianna Troyer]
By Dianna Troyer For Valentine’s Day, Barry and Sheryl Whiting have celebrated the same way for decades, never tiring of their routine. They know they will be teaching ski lessons at Pomerelle Mountain Resort near Albion. “This will be our 36th season there as instructors,” says Barry, director of the family-owned resort’s Snow Sports School. “We’re still best friends and do everything together,” says Sheryl of their 50-year marriage. “We love skiing as much as we love each other. We always skip flowers and candy on Valentine’s Day. Instead of spending money on that, we’d rather buy a lift ticket somewhere. We go out to dinner, but not necessarily on Valentine’s Day, and Barry buys me a beautiful card.” From December to April, the 69-year-old Rupert residents teach ski lessons to thousands of people of all abilities and ages. “To us, working at Pomerelle is our five-month paid vacation,” says Barry. Sheryl hasn’t always loved skiing. “Barry has skied since high school, but I didn’t start until I was 31 and our girls wanted to learn.” Their daughters, Amy, who was in first grade at the time; third-grader Molly; and 4-year-old Hillary were taking lessons. “I didn’t want to be left behind,” recalls Sheryl. “Besides, I told myself if they could learn, I should be able to do it, too. At first, I fell down a lot. I wouldn’t call it skiing.” She soon became proficient. Because the Whitings skied so often, they caught the attention of ski school co-directors, Lex Kunau and the late Harold Stanger. “They said we were always there anyway, so we might as well start teaching. They were my mentors,” says Barry, who became director after they retired 27 years ago. “Instructors have their certifications due to their vision and leadership. Lex was a perfectionist and pioneer in Idaho’s ski industry. He was so good to us over the years.” He encouraged the Whitings (Continued on page 41)