Appalachian Ski Mtn. plans to introduce a Snowboard Club for the 2012-13 season, which will be sponsored by the French Swiss Ski College. The Club aims to provide a way for kids in the area to snowboard together, make new friends, and have fun in a safe, controlled environment. The Appalachian Snowboard Club is for those who already know how to snowboard; it is not for total beginners. If you have never snowboarded before, it is recommended that you take at least 3 lessons with the French-Swiss Ski College first, then join the Club for extended coaching or instruction.
The Appalachian Snowboard Club will have a competition team within the club format, allowing members to participate in 4 to 6 team contests against Beech & Sugar Mountain?s snowboard team. Beech Mountain will offer Boarder Cross races, Sugar Mountain will hold the Giant Slalom races and Appalachian Ski Mtn./App Terrain Park will host the Freestyle contests. There will be 10 practices, 3 hours per practice, adding up to 30 hours of coaching throughout the season. There will be no practices or contests on Holiday weekends. This means 2 or 3 practices in December, 3 in January, 3 in February, and 1 or 2 in March, depending on snow levels. These practices will be scheduled around the contest dates, either a Saturday or a Sunday, allowing everyone, including the coaches, to be at every practice. Each practice will start off with everyone snowboarding together for a couple of warm-up runs. Then with the luxury of 2 coaches, the group can be split into 2 levels.
App Terrain Park normally has 3 terrain parks going at the same time, beginner, intermediate and advanced, which will provide a great way for kids to get introduced to steeper terrain as well as terrain parks in a friendly safe manner. The coaches know how a terrain park is organized, when the conditions are good or bad to ride features, and what features are suitable for a rider?s ability level. Safety is one of the Club’s top priorities.
There will be an Appalachian Snowboard Club fee of $200 which will cover 30 hours of coaching during practice for every member. There will also be coaching at the 4-6 team contests throughout the 3 mountains in the region for those club members who want to compete. The club will be coached by Joe Nielander and Nick Kladny, who are AASI Level 1 certified instructors from French-Swiss. They really want to make this club something special for all boys and girls 8 years and up so everyone should give it a try. Anyone under 8 may try out for the club but they must be 8 or older to be on the competitive team. The more family members that sign up for season passes, the larger the family discount. The Club needs as many members as possible to make this a success so please spread the word. Don’t hold back, if you want to be a part of the club, have a coach who can help you with all aspects of snowboarding, want to try some contests on other mountains, or just have fun on the hill with some friends, send over an email stating that your interested! Its the best deal you’ll find anywhere. Come ride with the Appalachian Snowboard Club this season!
Additional questions, or for more information, please email Coach Joe Nielander at jnielander@hotmail.com or call him at cell 828-385-1686 or home 828-765-1686.