Valley Adventist Christian School (Kalispell, Mont.) students enjoyed four ski days in January and February at nearby Whitefish Resort on Big Mountain. (The slopes can be seen from the school.) Students from Libby (Mont.) Adventist Christian School joined them.
Participants also took lessons in either snowboarding or skiing. Some students were skilled enough to go on most of the resort's runs. At lunchtime everyone gathered at the base lodge for lunch and socializing. Then they returned to the slopes for a second two-hour lesson and a little free time before heading home.
One second grader learning to snowboard enjoyed getting to the top of Big Mountain for the first time. "I finally got to the top on my snowboard, and it was fun," he says. "I did lots of jumps and stuff on the way down."
"I really enjoyed skiing because it was fun, and I got to meet new people, make new friends and spend time with old friends," reports a fifth-grade girl.
Her friend chimes in, "I like going because of the thrill of 'Earth Flying.' I also enjoy the nature around me, and the people we get to see again."
"I enjoyed everything about skiing," adds another student. "The only thing I did not enjoy was dropping my pole on the way up to the top."
These ski days gave the students a chance to see that the Northwest, especially northwestern Montana, is a wonderful place to live and enjoy God's grand book of nature.
Students take their learning outside during four ski and snowboard days at Whitefish Resort. (Ben Pflugrad)
