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Winter Ecology Ski Trip |
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During the Winter Ecology
Ski Trip students and parents head out into the snowy landscape to observe
the ecological processes that occur in winter. Activities led by the Forest
Service include avalanche studies, snow profiling, animal tracking, tree
species identification, and winter survival skills for both humans and
animals. Students and parents are also instructed on nordic skiing techniques
and skills. |
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Our class of 4th through 8th grades has been going to the Mt.Shasta Ski Park since 1999. We usually stay for two days, sleeping at a motel in the town of Mt. Shasta. On the first day we learn how to use our skis. A ski instructor comes and shows us how to turn, fall, get up and stop. Then we do an activities to learn about native plants and animals. We also learn about snow crystals and avalanches. Next we head to the motel and jump in the hot tub or play in the game room. The next day we drive to the ski park and arrive by 9:00. We strap on our skis and get ready to go. Our class splits up into groups: some go on the hardest route, the Black Diamond; some go on the intermediate route, the Blue Diamond, and the people who haven't skied very much go on the beginners route, the Blue Circle. We ski in our groups for about an hour and a half and then we head up to a small building called the Temple Hut, where we eat lunch. As soon as the whole class is finished eating, we head out again to ski until it is time to go home. On the way home, we think about some harder routes we may try next year. By Tianna Hacking |
Students skiing on Winding Way loop on a perfect ski day! |
WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE WINTER ECOLOGY SKI TRIP?
Quotes from our class included:
AJA: My favorite part was having lunch at the temple hut.
MISTI: I liked going up and down the hardest route, the Black Diamond.
HEATHER: I liked making snow cones at the temple hut.
TRAVIS: I liked going down the Dos Lobos Trail because it was steep.
JESSE: I liked going fast down the hills.
CHELSEA: I had fun learning about the Mt. Shasta area.
CODY: I liked skiing down my first Black
Diamond Trail!