After School Ski & Snowboard Program, A Safe and Fun Opportunity

The Cascade School District and Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (LWSC) have partnered again for the long-running After School Ski & Snowboard Program. This program allows students in grades 3 through 8 who have had little to no winter sport exposure a chance to try alpine skiing or snowboarding over the course of several Wednesdays, at no cost.

Due to the pandemic, the organizers had to reduce the numbers. In previous years there have been about sixty participants, but this year they capped the program with 35. Each student came to a preseason session where they were fitted with boots, had the ski bindings adjusted by an Arlberg technician, and were able to take their equipment, including leather gloves and helmet, home.

With hybrid education, parents must drive students up to Ski Hill at 3 p.m., instead of relying on busing; each family has been able to come up with their own plan.

Worth lauding is the Pay It Forward Program initiated this year by LWSC. When club members purchased their own season passes, they had an opportunity to chip in a donation for season passes for underserved youth.

“We had fifty-five total donations for Pay It Forward,” explained Callie Baker, LWSC Director of Marketing and Guest Relations. Every participant who wanted a season’s pass received one. This allows them to come up to Ski Hill all season long to practice, improve and have even more fun.

Another LWSC innovation is also getting lots of use—the magic carpet, a conveyor belt for people. It’s noticeable, sitting in the middle of the Ski Hill bowl between the small and big hills.

It looks pedestrian, but what a difference it makes for new skiers. The terrain between the hills slopes gently, perfect for practicing sliding, turning and stopping. With the magic carpet, skiers and boarders can save their energy for the gliding, rather than burning it up while plodding back uphill.

After arriving and stepping into their gear, the beginners link up with volunteer coaches, who include teenagers, school staff and community members. It doesn’t take many sessions before confidence grows, and kids do tow rope laps fairly independently. Coaches check in with them and serve as role models in their passion for the sport.

“The program is about more than just teaching kids how to slide down a slope,” said coach Stella Johnson, who is also a Cascade High School senior and life-long skier. “It’s about giving everyone the opportunity to try something they might come to love, empowering them to get back up after they fall, and creating an environment where positive relationships and memories will form.”

Rory Swoboda, another senior and volunteer coach added, “It's always fulfilling to see people you've helped accomplish their goals. Not to mention it's a super fun excuse to go skiing!”

The program runs on a small budget, which covers old gear replacement, transportation in normal years, the ski fitting, and the time of two coordinating supervisors, Spring Miklosh and Abde Elshafei. Miklosh has assisted with the program for six years.

“It’s an awesome program, a great opportunity for underprivileged kids to use free gear, get lessons and a free pass,” she said.

Elshafei said he loves to help. “It’s inspiring to watch the community come together and teach kids how to ski,” he said. “The students just love it! I’m glad we could pull it off this year.”

The program would not likely exist if not for Brett Johnson, Special Education Director. He’s the force behind all the grants over the years, primarily through the Northwest Foundation for Youth. He’s the chief organizer and communicator, stoking the excitement for all.

Although skiing and snowboarding at Ski Hill is geographically close to the schools, the sports can be inaccessible, due to expense. Johnson and his team are ensuring scores of kids every year overcome that barrier and have a chance to fall in love with snow sports.