SPORTS

3-3 basketball games start intramural season

Ski trip to provide a winter wonderland for students

By Timothy Jones
[email protected]
Staff Writer

For 27 consecutive years Georgia Highlands College has sponsored an annual winter ski trip. Approximately 1000 students have participated in the trip during this time. This year the trip starts on Dec. 17 and will last until Dec. 21. Students will travel to Boone, North Carolina, as in past years.

In addition to students from GHC, faculty, staff, non-credit students, students from other colleges as well as non-collegiate participants and friends are welcome. The deadline for registration is Dec. 2 and requires a mandatory deposit of $100.

Participating students can receive two hours of course credit for PHED 1420 (Beginning Skiing/Snow-boarding) or PHED 1421 (Intermediate Skiing/Snowboarding), which will count as spring semester credit. However, prior to the trip students wishing to receive credit are required to attend six hours of classes.

Dr. Ken Weatherman, professor of physical education, teaches these classes about a month or so before the trip in three two-hour sessions. Times for these classes are arranged to work around the students� schedules by having both morning and evening sessions. These classes will include information pertaining to safety codes, conditioning, cold climate dress and other important pre-trip information.

According to Weatherman, the cost of the trip will depend on the track chosen by the participant. Tracks vary by skill level and choice of either skiing or snowboarding. Costs will be lower for those who provide their own equipment. It is also more expensive to participate as a snowboarder than as a skier.

Transportation and cost of food are not covered by Georgia Highlands College.

Georgia Highlands student, and former ski trip participant, Joie Burleson said, �It was an awesome trip to go on.�

She said that students going on the trip for the first time might want to make sure to have a couple of people to room with to help split the costs of lodging.

She also cautioned new trip participants to be wary of black ice on the way up and around North Carolina and to be aware that there will be no 24-hour Wal-Marts and Waffle Houses around the area.

Another key tip Burleson shared was to make sure to pack the right clothes for the trip. �Waterproof pants and clothes to wear under them are a must, as well as a hat, gloves, scarf and goggles. Make sure not to wear jeans because cotton freezes,� she said. Burleson also mentioned that the drive to North Carolina would require three to four tanks of gas.

One final piece of advice from Burleson was to bring extra money for any unexpected expenses.

Those needing additional information regarding the ski trip may contact Weatherman (department of physical education) at (706) 204-6353 or (706) 204-2203 or e-mail him at [email protected]