Kinnelon High School has opened up a weekly after-school activity/ opportunity for students in middle school and high school interested in skiing and snowboarding during the winter season. Last winter, teacher and staff member Hannah “Señora” Sappio brought attention to this club but there unfortunately were not enough students to sign up. But this year, the after-school ski club at Mountain Creek has been a success.
The club is open to PRM(Pearl R. Miller) and KHS Students. PRM student Willem Talbot enjoys his time at the mountain while getting to do what he loves after a long day of school. Talbot has been skiing for about seven years and saw the ski club as a perfect opportunity to have more time after school to do his favorite hobby. “I’ve been going to Mountain Creek for several years, I usually go to the mountain 1-2 times a week,” Talbot says.
Talbot’s biggest inspiration was his father, who got him started at a young age. “I enjoy the KHS Ski Club because I love to ski with my friends.”
Kinnelon High School Freshman Carly Draudt says “I have been skiing on and off for quite a while. The first time I ever skied though, I was 5 years old,” said Draudt.
“I started skiing because when I was younger, my parents noticed how much I enjoyed spending the day playing in the snow. They thought I would love skiing, so they put me in lessons!” said Draudt. Students in the KHS ski club go to Mountain Creek every Wednesday and Thursday after school “I thoroughly enjoy the KHS ski club! It is so much fun, a great learning experience, and the people are wonderful.” Draudt even still goes skiing on the weekends.
The help of bus transportation from KHS makes it easy for students and parents to get a ride to Mountain Creek, as some parents have to work throughout the day and underclassmen need other transportation because they are unable to drive themselves. Since busing transportation is through Kinnelon Public Schools, the cost per trip for 25 students is $20 which estimates the whole ski club experience to total $100 per student. This resource makes it not only easier for the students but for the parents too. The transportation picks students up from KHS and brings them to and from the mountain. Pick-up from the mountain brings the students back to KHS where parents meet their children to be picked up.
In regards to the ski club, students have options for mountain creek passes. Students have opportunities to have a five-trip lift lesson, which includes a lift ticket to Mountain Creek. Students can attend a ski/snowboard lesson at a designated time at the North Mountain Location only. The lesson is optional for the price of $179.99 plus fees. A five-trip rental equipment card which includes Students will rent boots/helmets with skis/poles or snowboards. The rentals can only be rented at the North Mountain for $155.99 plus fees. There is a Season Pass option that includes Students will have the option to purchase a Season Pass in the KHS E-store, pricing for this ski option is available to the general public between September and October.
The opportunities that come with these Mountain Creek passes give students access to harder mountains to race down, along with private lessons, free skiing (a type of alpine skiing, that involves tricks, jumps, and terrain park features, such as rails, boxes, jibs, or other obstacles).
