Mastering the slopes: CMS students take a “healthy risk” on the seventh-grade ski trip

Seventh grader Elodie Madin sat on a long wooden bench inside the Hyland Hills Ski Area lodge as she waited for her group to be called to the staging area. Bundled in winter gear, a large helmet and ski boots, Elodie was getting warm. “This feels like perfect gear for Antarctica," she joked. Outside, however, it was a chilly, sunny February morning, and all that gear was just what she’d need to stay comfortable on the Central Middle School seventh-grade ski trip.

For more than 20 years, seventh grade students at CMS have gone on an annual day trip to a local ski area, an opportunity for most students to try skiing for the first time. “It’s going to be the best day of seventh grade,” is what CMS social studies teacher Andy Malone tells his students. As one of the ski trip coordinators, and the Nordic ski coach, Malone has been involved in the tradition for decades, offering Eagles a chance to take a “healthy risk” by exploring a new activity they might not otherwise have an opportunity to try. All these years later, Malone has former students ask him if the seventh grade trip is still happening. It’s still happening, and it’s still teaching students to “learn to fail safely,” he explained. “That’s what middle school is all about.”

At Hyland, students made their way group by group through the equipment rental area to their ski lesson. Sihaam Mohamed was excited about the experience. Like many of the other students, she’d never been skiing before. “Not a lot of people get to ski,” she said, “so I’m grateful for the chance.” Others felt the same, though there were certainly some nerves. “I’ve heard the black diamonds are really dangerous,” said Emontre Olson as he waited to hit the slopes. But to make sure all students stayed safe, they’d have to learn the basics before trying any ski runs.

Out on the bright white bottom of the hill, seventh graders were spread among the numbered lesson stations. Sounds of crunching snow and the snaps of ski boots filled the air, along with occasional exclamations from laughing students. “I’m gonna go backwards!” called out one Eagle. “It’s not working!” said another, who was trying to keep her balance, reaching for a student next to her. Eagles at the first station practiced the “pizza” position, bending their knees and pointing the tips of their skis towards one another, making a pointed triangle shape that would help slow them down. Further along the hill, other students were making slow descents down the bunny slopes, gently turning themselves around cones. No matter how far any student progressed throughout the trip, all participants would receive a free pass to come back to Hyland another day, giving them even more opportunities to practice their new skill.

Nearby, CMS English teacher Lauren Koller was smiling as she watched the lessons unfold. It was her third year chaperoning the ski trip, and she was happy to be back. “It’s fun to see them cheering each other on and helping each other as they’re trying to figure it out,” she said. The seventh-grade ski trip was also an opportunity for students to meet classmates they might not otherwise connect with, since the trip was spread out over several days to accommodate the entire seventh-grade class. Students problem solved and followed directions with new friends, “getting them out of their comfort zones,” she shared. CMS math teacher Marcus Moten, another chaperone, agreed. He liked seeing how students responded to challenges outside of the classroom. “They seem to figure it out and have fun with trying and trying again,” he said.

At the first downhill station, a student slid through the finish, a wide smile across his face, his hand pounding his chest. “Hey, Mr. Professional!” called out an instructor jokingly. The proud Eagle had missed a couple of turns and hadn’t quite stopped where he was supposed to, and he needed to try the slope again before he progressed to the next part of the lesson. He carefully skied his way to the instructor and went back up the tiny conveyor belt to the top of the slope. He’d master it sooner or later.

“I haven’t skied since my own sixth-grade field trip, but I love cheering them on,” said Koller, observing her students. She knew many of them started the day feeling nervous, but coming back on the bus, it was a treat to hear how much they loved it all. She smiled. “It’s cool to see their mind shift throughout the day.”