Published: March 30, 2009 12:22 am      

On the slopes

Skiing, snowboarding fun sports

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. Skiers and snowboarders whisk down the slope, gliding past one another. The chilly mountain air is in their faces, a light dusting of snow on their goggles as they reach the bottom of their run. Unfortunately, this time of year in West Virginia does not last for long.

Although spring has finally arrived, Wisp Resort is extending its hours of operation for this season until the first two weekends in April — weather permitting. Wisp will be open April 4, 5, 11 and 12, said the Web site.

Skiing and snowboarding are risky sports, but participants in the winter wonderland reap a lot of rewards that includes burning calories during this time of year instead of curling up with blankets. If riders play by the safety rules, this is the first step to having a successful day on the slopes.

Skiers and snowboarders can do tricks, try jumps and ride in terrain parks or they may choose to free ride down the mountain at their own pace. Skiers and snowboarders “definitely” burn a lot of calories, said Addison Salzmann, a member of the WVU snowboarding club. Corey Snyder, president of the WVU snowboarding club, said he ate breakfast before the Maryland Open and two hours later he was already famished.

Salzmann and Snyder believe that another benefit of snowboarding is relieving stress. “It’s a mind game. The biggest thing is it gives you something to do,” Salzmann said. Salzmann and his friends do not party that much in Morgantown so snowboarding helps them elevate tension from schoolwork. “When we ride, there’s nothing else in our head.”

Snyder agrees.

“I guess for me it’s more mental stuff, you can get out a lot of anger and aggression out here,” Snyder said. Skis and snowboards do not come with warning labels. “When I was a freshman in college, I overshot a jump, went past the line, too far, came down really hard on front leg and broke a bone in my hip,” Salzmann said. “I kinda flipped to my hand and crushed it.” Salzmann had surgery and had to stay off the slopes for three months. He still has limited mobility in his hand.

“I haven’t been hurt as bad as Addison, I mean nothing terrible knock on wood, yet. I’m sure it’s bound to happen sooner or later. I have been doing this (riding) for seven years,” Snyder said.

However, Snyder has separated his shoulders, sprained his wrists and ankles a few times, and cracked a few ribs.

When he separated his shoulder, he rode the next day in pain. “It hurts, but you just gotta change what you can do,” Snyder said.

Although it is easy to become hurt on the slopes there are precautionary measures riders can take to ensure no broken bones or sprained extremities.

“Most common injuries happen to people who try without taking lessons,” said Jay Quinn, rental manager of Wisp Resort. This happens when riders hit the slopes without proper safety equipment and without instruction. “Broken wrists and concussions are pretty common,” Quinn said, “Other than that with lessons and safety equipment, there are not too many (injuries) at all.”

Wisp Resort has a ski patrol staff that monitors the trails. They watch for any accidents and assist skiers or snowboarders who need help. “There are part-time ski patrollers and full-time ski patrollers; probably well over 100 all together,” Quinn said.

Wisp offers an array of programs for children and beginners who want to learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding. Quinn has taught snowboarding for 10 years. In his spare time he teaches group lessons for children eight-years-old and up. Wisp and other resorts have programs and lessons available that assist young riders. Resorts also offer group and private lessons for anyone interested in learning to ski or snowboard.

There are three different types of terrains at Wisp; Beginner, intermediate and black diamond. These range from easy to a more difficult, from slopes which are not too steep to slopes with moguls; bumps on a slope which are formed by skiers which push snow into piles or mounds because of their short, quick turns. If a rider ventures down the wrong slope this could be hazardous to their health. It is always important to check a map and signs to see which trails would be best for a new or an advanced rider. Whether it is a skier or snowboarder’s first time or 25th time on the slopes, some switch from skiing to snowboarding depending on their mood. To find which one is right for them, riders should try both. The rental staff at Wisp Resort is available to answer any questions riders may have about boots, skis or snowboards.

“Snowboarding, you can get better at it much faster. I would say less expensive to own your own equipment versus skiing. You know for those people who are familiar with board sports, (surfing, skateboarding, etc.) snowboarding just blends all those together. Skiing is completely different,” Quinn said. “It just depends on how old you are,” Quinn also mentioned. He has been snowboarding for 13 years, he said. People who are his age or older have probably skied once or twice in their lives and then they try snowboarding, he said. “A lot of younger people start out with snowboarding,” Quinn said. Those not interested in skiing or snowboarding have two other options so they too can play in the snow; The Mountain Coaster and Bear Claw snow tubing park.

Wisp will be hosting a Sunrise Service to observe the Easter holiday at 6:15 a.m., Sunday, April 12, according to their website. A ski lift will take skiers, snowboarders, and foot-passengers to the top of the mountain and to the service area at the top of Odin’s Chute, a trail at Wisp. Children 12 and under can participate in an Egg Hunt which is scheduled at 1 p.m. on the front lawn of Wisp. 

There will also be a last on-snow event of the season for freestyle snowboarders and skiers. The Easter Bunny Rail Jam will be held at 1 p.m. in the Pro Park, more information is available online at www.wispresort.com.