TRAVEL

 

 

GHC students hit the slopes for credit and fun

By Jehna Holder
[email protected]
Editor

Fifty-one GHC students and others got to experience a ski adventure and hit the slopes at the Appalachian Ski Mountain in Boone, N.C., during the winter break, not just for PHED 1420 and 1421 credit but also for the fun and relaxing times on the snow slopes.

Students who went on the trip had the option to earn two credit hours in physical education for skiing or snowboarding. The trip was supervised by Dr. Ken Weatherman, professor of physical education.

This year had a larger turnout than in the past. The trip was open to students from all Georgia Highlands College campuses and their guests. The larger portion of the group was from the Cartersville campus.

Students that signed up for the trip attended pre-trip workshops to help the beginners learn about the skis or snowboard and to learn the safety and courtesy rules of the slopes.

The five-day trip took place Dec. 17-21.

Upon arrival the students were advised in the direction of Ski French Swiss Rentals, where they rented ski equipment and were instructed on how to choose the proper and safest equipment to fit their individual needs.

Every morning the students met at the Appalachian Ski Resort. During the morning meetings, classes were held with designated instructors employed by Ski French Swiss. The staff worked with students one-on-one to guarantee a successful ski experience.

Students were chosen to be in particular classes by ski ability � beginner, intermediate and advanced. The GHC students, most of whom had never been skiing before, were taught how to walk in the snow with skis and techniques on how to get back up after a fall.

As the week progressed, students learned more and more about skiing and the proper way to go down a slope, accelerate, slow down and stop. After each class, students had the freedom to leave the slopes but most stayed and tried out the skills they had been working on during class.

The students who signed up to go on the multi-mountain adventure were able to go to other ski slopes such as Beech and Sugar.

Closer to the end of the week the class was given a written test and a skills test. The last day on the slope put everyone's knowledge of skiing and snowboarding to the test.

�I was very happy with the progression that most of our skiers and snowboarders made this year.� Most were coming off of intermediate terrain in control, which shows much progress in a week of instruction,� said Weatherman.

Although the weather was not the greatest with rain and fog, GHC students took advantage of the situation and enjoyed the slopes and the skills that they had learned and prepared all week to go down even the toughest slope, known as the black diamond.

Following the responsibility code went a long way in making a pleasant trip on the slopes.

History major Cody King from Dallas said, �First, I loved being able to ski every day, I had a blast on the trip! Getting to ski five straight days for school credit, you can't beat it. I also enjoyed getting to meet people from school. I will always remember the ski trip, definitely good times! More people should try to go next year.�

Click here for more photos