On Saturday, Peak Adventures will lead a ski and snowboarding trip to Boreal Mountain Resort to teach students and staff how to rush down a mountain of powdery snow.

Madison Shepard, senior business major and employee at Peak Adventures, said the trip is aimed for beginners or those who are rusty in their skills.

“All of our ski trips lean towards beginners. The trip is even called ‘Learn to Ski and Snowboard,'” Shepard said. “It’s not for advanced riders. The lift tickets are restricted to beginner runs.”

The trip will consist of a two-hour lesson on how to ski and snowboard, followed by three hours of free ride.

Shepard said new snow is the best for riders, especially for those looking for a fast, exciting ride down the mountain.

“If the snow is wet, the board sticks,” Shepard said. “The ideal snow is new snow, powder. It feels like floating.”

Shepard said there are also different styles of riding, depending on the skill level of the rider.

“Especially for the beginners, it’s about going really fast and not being able to stop,” Shepard said. “A lot of time is spent on their butts. A lot of people just like to go fast and get down the mountain, but there’s also going for the terrain or doing tricks.”

Shepard, who has previously led the trip, said she enjoyed meeting new skiers and snowboarders.

“I snowboard at work and in my free time, and I meet new people every time we go on a trip,” Shepard said. “It’s a bonding experience. I ride with them after the lesson, and give one-on-one time to those who didn’t benefit as much from the lesson.”

Ryan Pritchard, junior communication studies major and an experienced snowboarder, thinks Peak Adventures’ trip is a good idea for those who have time to participate.

“I don’t have the time, personally. If I did, I’d totally do it,” Pritchard said. “I work part-time at two jobs. It’s the busy season and I go to school full-time. As much as I’d like to, I have no time to go snowboarding.”

Kevin Johnson, junior history major, said he had a bad experience when trying to learn how to ski from friends. He thinks it is a better idea to learn from professionals from Peak Adventures.

“I tried to have a lesson, but my friends ditched me, so it’s cool the school is doing this. Learning from professionals is probably safer and more fun than from friends,”Johnson said.

Shepard thinks going on the trip is a great opportunity.

“It’s for those who have never been, or don’t have the resources like a four-wheel drive car, friends, or the budget,” Shepard said. “It’s convenient for foreign exchange students, or those living in the dorms. It’s just a great package for students.”

The cost of the trip for students is $84, staff and faculty is $108, and the general public is $120.

The price includes transportation, the lesson, a lift ticket for beginner slopes and rental of either alpine skis or a snowboard. Those who are interested in signing up for the trip can find out more details at Peak Adventures in the University Union. Paperwork will be filled out and half of the trip’s fee will be taken as a deposit. Signing up over the phone is also possible.

Cole Mayer can be reached at [email protected]