It’s hard to imagine Cook County without a high school alpine ski team. We have the largest and best ski area in the entire Midwest, historically the most snowfall anywhere in Minnesota, and we have produced NCAA, Olympic and World Cup champions including many Minnesota, state meet and junior Olympic participants.
In light of tight school budgets, many other high school sports face the same problem— lack of capital to adequately fund student athlete development and participation. However, as a community of believers in student athletes, we are creative. The tennis association has done an amazing job with the development of its program and now for the first time has fielded a varsitylevel tennis program. Our track and field and cross country running and nordic skiing boast some of the highest student athletic participation rates among all sports thanks to the ski and run club. The hockey association has done the same. It takes a community of dedicated volunteers to support our student athletes. And for that we are all thankful.
Alpine skiing takes a little different twist. Without Lutsen Mountains, the high school varsity program and its sister junior development program would not exist. It’s not a matter of not having a ski hill to practice and compete on; obviously, the ski hill is there. Rather, it’s the capital and human resource commitment provided by Lutsen Mountains that enables this program to exist. Here are some examples: * Skilled Labor. Our ski team practices during the midweek when the ski area is closed to the public. In order to open a run for practice, the ski area must provide two lift operators and a ski patrol and have a skilled lift maintenance mechanic on site in the event of a lift problem. All are employees of Lutsen Mountains, highly trained and remain on the payroll during this time. * Gates and Course Safety. Alpine racing requires gates and fencing for safety. One gate (break-away pole) costs up to $40 and it takes approximately 60-80 gates per racecourse. They break and need to be periodically replaced. You can do the math. And there are the drills, drill bits and pole bags that are also required. All of this is funded by Lutsen Mountains. * Timing. What’s a race without timing? Lutsen Mountains recently purchased new state-of-theart timing equipment exclusively for the varsity and junior programs. This cost was likely equivalent to a year of college tuition. * Equipment. The mountain has funded new equipment for the junior program; enabling kids to get on skis for the first time without financial burden. The equipment is designed for shorterterm use, to be returned and then allowing new skiers to do the same.
* And more…
Again, it takes a community. ISD 166 remains committed to the program funding transportation and other logistics. Athletic Director Pam Taylor is great. She provides all the Minnesota State High School League detail and requirements needed for student athlete participants. Mike Groth serves a critical role helping us with transportation logistics. All for which we are grateful.
The result? Take a Saturday afternoon off sometime and come out to Lutsen Mountains and watch the kids practice. It’s easy. You can watch right from the deck of Rosie’s Cafe. You will find nearly 70 kids from both the varsity and junior development program racing down the hill…all with big smiles…all enjoying a healthy lifestyle and a lifetime sport. Thank you to Lutsen Mountains, ISD 166, volunteers and a community of believers in our young kids.
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