SAM Magazine--November 16, 2010--During a visit to the Vatican by a group of ski instructors, Pope Benedict XVI praised skiing as one way that, "man recognizes the greatness of God."

According to published reports, the Pope said that the sport of skiing teaches, "constancy in reaching objectives, respecting the rules, and tenacity in facing up to and overcoming difficulties."

He also praised the mountain environment saying that it is "an environment, which in a special way, makes us feel small, giving back to us the right dimension of our being creatures. It makes us capable of asking ourselves about the meaning of creation, of looking above, of opening ourselves to the Creator."

As we gear up for the season, the industry will take all of the endorsements it can get.