Members of the Revere School District’s Ski and Snowboard Club are currently meeting to take lessons and practice their skiing or snowboarding individually or in groups at Boston Mills and Brandywine (BMBW).
The club’s first official meeting took place on Saturday, January 4. The club consists of over 50 members. Participants range from ages eight to eighteen. Students in the club signed-up online in early October. Ann Dietz, club adviser, has been overseeing the Ski and Snowboard Club for ten years. She explained the overall purpose of the club and the opportunities it offers.
“The club is designed to give an affordable option for students to receive lessons and learn to enjoy the sport. Some come back every year and have received their black diamond which allows them to ski the black hills, which are the hardest. Others continue to come back to get better. We also have those that are skiers and now want to snowboard,” Dietz said.
The club’s first five weeks involves lessons. On Saturday mornings, there are three different lessons. Beginners meet first at 9 am, intermediate at 10 am, and advanced level lessons are at 11 am. Members are encouraged to use the time before and after their lessons to practice their skiing or snowboarding. The official Ski and Snowboard Club meetings end around one in the afternoon. In addition, members are given neck tags that provide admission onto the resorts, to acquire rental equipment if they purchased it, and to indicate the member’s skill level. A color-coded sticker designates the hills each member can go on. Dietz discussed the set-up for the rest of the season.
“After the fifth week, students can continue to go using their neck tags [for] lift [or] rental all day open to close on Saturdays at all three resorts Boston Mills, Brandywine and Alpine Valley,” Dietz said.
From beginners to advanced participants, every member attends for different reasons. Some beginners, like sophomore Kailey Gentner, joined the club to acquire a new experience. Gentner discussed why she initially joined the club and her hopes for the season.
“I have only ever been sledding, so I joined the club to learn how to ski. This is my first year, but I am excited to try something new. I am looking forward to skiing with my friends,” Gentner said.
Once some members master skiing, they try snowboarding. Others practice to improve their skills or just to meet people. Junior Abby Jones joined the club when she was in eighth grade. Jones gave her perspective on what learning the sport is like for beginners and her experience with picking up snowboarding.
“When you decide to snowboard or ski, skiing is easier to learn but harder to master. The concept is easy but not the tricks. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to master once you get the hang of it. I prefer to snowboard. I love how it’s a challenge at first but once you get used to it you’re all good,” Jones said.
The Ski and Snowboard Club meetings usually end in the middle of March when the snow melts.