Written by Sohi Kang, Staff Writer
Indian Trail’s Snow Hawks began about 14 years ago as an opportunity for students to get out and enjoy wintertime through skiing and snowboarding.
The club reactivates every December, and — depending on the snow — meets about two times a month to hit the slopes at the Alpine Valley Resort in East Troy, Wis.
There is a one time fee of $35 to join, which is to purchase the Alpine Valley Club Card. Students who join are not required to have skiing or snowboarding experience. By joining the club, students are given one free lesson. Moreover, the Snow Hawks club offers members discounted rates for its trips, 50 percent of regular fees.
“I was interested in joining because it seemed like it would be super fun to have ski trips provided for me and at a discounted rate,” said Kate Clady, an Indian Trail High School & Academy senior.
There are a myriad of bene ts to skiing or snowboarding, which are good cardiovascular exercises that strengthens lower body muscles. According to the University of New Hampshire, the winter sports combine physical activity and sunshine exposure to help alleviate Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that can occur with the changes in season. Adding to that, vigorous physical activity can release endorphins and adrenaline to boost mood. General Studies junior Leanna Johnson has received similar bene ts while skiing.
“It’s in the middle of the week, so you can just go and not have to worry about school and anything for a little bit,” she said.
Skiing and snowboarding are often viewed as thrilling adrenaline sports. However, if you are careful on the slopes, it should not pose much danger for newcomers.
“If you’re not careful and test yourself too much, it could be dangerous. But as long as you stay within your limits, then you should be good,” said General Studies sophomore Nick Klinkhammer, a two-year Snow Hawks member.
Joining Snow Hawks can be a good way to meet new people and form new memories. In one of the first years the club was formed, club advisor and science teacher Patrick Metzler recalled one incident with fellow advisor and social studies teacher Jerilyn Weiss.
“Mrs. Weiss wasn’t a good skier at the time and we were getting on the chair lift together and she kind of lost her balance and ended up pushing me off the chair. I didn’t get hurt but it was pretty embarrassing,” Metzler said.
As for possible Snow Hawks activities planned in the future, Metzler said he would like to look into a longer overnight trip to a larger mountain farther up north, like Granite Peak.