To register for the Deseret News/KSL Newsradio Ski/Snowboard School, please download the following form (PDF format).
Skiing and snowboarding are fun activities. Or they can be fun, once right and left turns and stopping have been conquered.
But there are other reasons to learn to ski and snowboard, and they include:
Physical: Skiing and snowboarding improve muscle tone as well as improve balance and endurance.
Health: Skiing and snowboarding provide an excellent cardiovascular workout, which helps to strengthen the heart muscles.
Social: Skiing and snowboarding bring families and friends together for one common purpose — to slide on snow.
These are a few of the reasons behind the 62nd session of the Deseret News/KSL NewsRadio Ski and Snowboard School.
The school, which opens the first of three lessons on Nov. 21, is for first-time or never-ever skiers or snowboarders.
There are three lessons involved in this school. Instructors have found that after three lessons, students are typically able to go up on the mountain and have enough confidence to have fun.
One lesson doesn't do it. The first couple of hours require an effort people are not used to with respect to learning basic skills, so the fun factor is not high, said Julian Cordova, children's program supervisor for the Alta Ski School.
After three lessons — six hours of instruction — their skill level increases dramatically, and the fun factor, as well as the physical, health and social benefits, also come into play. At the end of the three classes, students are able to control the skis and snowboard and glide around the mountain. That's when it becomes fun.
As for the other benefits:
Among the physical benefits is the fact that the two sports require rotational movement brought on by rapid changes the slopes and the desire to turn. This leads to greater muscle efficiencies.
The best part is a skier or snowboarder can push as hard or controlled as he or she wishes by choosing terrain — easy or difficult — and by being able to stop and start at will.
Skiing and snowboarding are sometimes compared to running and swimming as a cardiovascular workout. It's simply a different form of exercise.
Activity on the slopes, in fact, improves blood flow to the body, which doctors say helps to prevent conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
And exercise allows the body to burn fat and get rid of bad cholesterol.
It can also be said that learning to ski and snowboard improve self-esteem and confidence, which is a benefit to good health.
A study by the State of California Resources Agency found recreational activities, such as skiing and snowboarding, help alleviate depression. Recalling pleasant events, such as skiing and snowboarding, "increases positive moods," which improves self-esteem and lowers depression.
"Being in extreme climate like we have (here in Utah), when it's cold outside, and realizing you can accomplish things, builds self-esteem," said Maggie Loring, director of the Snowbird Ski School, which oversees the Deseret News snowboard program.
"What some people don't realize is sports like skiing and snowboarding also teaches good problem solving, especially when in a group ... people ski at different speeds, take different runs and arrive at different times for things like lunch, and all this has to be organized."
Often considered the most important benefit, said Cordova, is centered around the social aspects of the two sports.
"Where else," he said, "can you bring families together ... youngsters and grandparents, parents and their children and friends to do something that is fun and healthy."
Skiing and snowboarding can, in fact, be a very social outing.
The California report found that by participating in activities together, family members elicited feelings of loyalty, trust, harmony, teamwork and goodwill.
The report also noted that when families participate together in leisure activities, bonding can occur, and the related benefits can include family satisfaction, interaction and stability.
A significant relationship between high levels of physical activity and a higher ability to integrate into peer groups results in easier contact with parents and friends and a higher degree of life satisfaction, the study reported.
The first class will be Nov. 21. There will be two sessions each day. The first session will start at 9:30 a.m., and the second at 1 p.m. There will be a maximum of 200 students for each of the ski classes and 100 for each of the snowboard sessions.
Because of the limited number of snowboard openings, those interested in the program will need to pick up applications through Canyon Sports, 1844 E. 7000 South.
Interested skiers can register through the Deseret News or one of the three Canyon Sports locations.
The final two classes will be Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. Each class will run for about two hours. Cost of the three classes will be $40.
Canyon Sports will partner with the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio to offer special rental packages for those students needing equipment.
Students will be able to pick up their equipment prior to the first class and hold onto it until after the last class.
Cost for renting skis, boots, bindings and poles for the four weeks will be $34 for juniors and $39 for adults. For a snowboard, bindings and boots, the cost for the four weeks will be $34 for juniors and $39 for adults.
Those renting equipment will be able to apply those fees toward a full-season rental — $79.99 for juniors and $84.99 for adults for skis, and $84.99 for juniors and $89.99 for adults for snowboards.
Because of restrictions on class size for snowboarding, all registration is being handled by Canyon Sports.
The Deseret News school is the longest running ski teaching program in the country. It started on the slopes of the Bonneville Golf Course 62 years ago under the guidance of the late Alf Engen, one of the truly great legends in skiing.
It was his dream to make skiing available to any and all who wanted to sample it. Thousands have graduated from the program. Many have continued to make skiing a lifetime sport.
The procedure for the school is simple — fill out an entry form, pay a fee of $40 and then show up at Alta for three ski lessons taught by certified ski instructors. Or show up at Snowbird for three snowboard lessons, again taught by certified instructors.
Loaded with instructional information learned in the three classes, most students will be able to go to any resort and ski or snowboard. All resorts have beginning slopes. Many have beginning lifts and designated areas for new skiers or snowboarders.
From this point on, students can go as far as they want.
For information, call 801-237-2135 or 801-942-3100.
Deseret News/KSL NewsRadio Ski and Snowboard School
When: Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and 12
Where: Two-hour lessons each week for skiers at Alta, snowboarders at Snowbird
Ages:
For first-time skiers or snowboarders 8 years old or older Cost:
$40 Registration:
Open Equipment:
Canyon Sports is offering Deseret News students special rates and one-time pickup and return. Store locations are 1844 E. Fort Union Blvd. (7000 South), 517 S. 200 West or 45 W. 10600 South. Cost: Cost for renting skis, boots, bindings and poles for the four weeks will be $34 for juniors and $39 for adults. For a snowboard, bindings and boots, the cost for the four weeks will be $34 for juniors and $39 for adults.