From January 21st to 26th, the FSDB Ski Club embarked on an exciting trip to Whitefish, Montana. The students immersed themselves in various winter activities, including Nordic and Alpine skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, hatchet throwing, sledding, sleigh rides, and simply playing in the snow. They had an incredible time discovering these winter sports, with many falling in love with the new experiences.
On the first day, students had the chance to learn ice skating with the help of two volunteer instructors and their chaperones. They relished having the entire ice rink to themselves for an hour and a half, enjoying the freedom to glide around without worrying about other skaters. Many were reluctant to leave the ice, expressing how they felt like they were flying.
Following the ice skating session, the students received personalized Nordic skiing lessons from adaptive ski volunteers. They learned the basic techniques to prepare them for the downhill skiing adventures that awaited them over the next two days.
The students enjoyed two full days of Alpine skiing with certified adaptive ski instructors this year. Despite their fun, many wished for an extra day on the slopes. They practiced controlling their speed using the pizza wedge technique and making turns to slow down. Following their instructors' directives, they navigated the slopes alongside other skiers.
The students practiced entering and exiting a stationary ski lift as their skills improved. To advance to a moving ski lift and higher-level slopes, they had to discuss their progress with a lead DREAM Adaptive Instructor. They talked about their current skills, explained why they felt ready to advance, and completed an additional task requested by the instructor. Every student who participated in downhill skiing made significant progress and achieved many of their personal goals. Many expressed a desire to continue learning how to ski and to go on family vacations to further their skiing experiences with adaptive instructors. Several students also mentioned their hope to travel with the FSDB Ski Club again before graduating from high school.
On the final day of the ski trip, students visited Glacier National Park for a snowshoeing adventure. They reveled in the park's tranquility while learning about its glaciers, the criteria for what constitutes a glacier, the local wildlife, native plants, and the importance of preserving its natural beauty. In the afternoon, students visited The Clydesdale Outpost for an immersive experience with Clydesdale horses. They marveled at the size of these majestic animals, brushed them, and took photos. Each student enjoyed a sleigh ride to a sledding hill, where they had fun tubing and sledding down the snowy slopes. While they loved the thrill of sliding down the hill, they noted the challenge of climbing back up to the top.
The trip to Whitefish, Montana, was a resounding success. The students discovered a lot about themselves, the value of perseverance, and various winter sports. They also honed their independent living skills by helping with meal preparation, cleaning up, and keeping track of their winter gear. Additionally, they developed advocacy skills to better understand and communicate their needs and decision-making skills to assess their readiness for more challenging ski slopes.
It was truly remarkable to witness each student's progress, whether in mastering a winter sport, building confidence, or enhancing their self-advocacy skills. We eagerly look forward to our next trip to Whitefish, Montana, and welcoming a new group of students!
Written by Jenny Enache, FSDB Ski Club Sponsor