Fleetwood’s Ski and Snowboard Club Restarts

The recent winter weather has provided optimal conditions for skiing and snowboarding. With natural snow on the ground for the first time this year, local skiers and snowboarders are finally able to go out without relying on synthetic snow.

“Real snow can be slower, but it can get into places that fake snow can’t. It can get into more wooded areas,” junior Tristan Spannuth said.

This snow came just in time, as Fleetwood’s Ski and Snowboard club has started up again for the 2015-2016 school year. Since the second week in January, the club has met every Thursday to make the after-school trip to Bear Creek Ski Resort in Macungie, Pennsylvania. They spend the rest of their afternoons and evenings on one of Bear Creek’s twenty-one trails.

As an exchange student, this will be junior Arthur Borodi’s first and only year in Ski and Snowboard Club. He has enjoyed his time participating with the club very much.

“We have a lot of fun skiing and hanging out with our buddies. I think it’s good because they trust us, and they don’t try to keep us on a leash,” Borodi said.

This is senior Travis Foose’s second year of involvement with the club. Like Borodi, he had nothing but good things to say about his experiences.

“I like the club. It’s really fun to hang out with friends and snowboard with them,” Foose said.

For many, it can be difficult to find ways to get outside during the colder months of the year. Fleetwood students are no exception, so some turn to Ski and Snowboard Club as a way to stay active in the cold weather.

“I think Ski Club is a good way to get out of the house after school and give you something to do,” Spannuth said.

Spannuth said that skiing did not come naturally to him.

“It is really difficult when you first start. You just need to stick with it, and it is really rewarding in the end,” Spannuth said.

One of Ski and Snowboard Club’s long-time advisors is retired middle school Social Studies teacher, Tony Didyoung. He has noticed that the club has evolved over the course of its existence.

“This is my tenth season doing Ski Club, and the students have gotten a lot better. There are a lot more snowboarders than skiers now, and I find that fascinating,” Didyoung said.

Now that skiers and snowboarders are well into season, they are starting to hit their stride.

“I absolutely love skiing. It’s one thing I’m actually good at, and I enjoy it to the max every year,” Borodi said.

The club will continue to enjoy the winter weather every week until the club concludes later on in the school year.