Frigid winds and sheets of snow whistle by, tearing at heavy jackets. These stalwart athletes do not flee indoors from the bite of winter. They embrace the cold, claiming the mountain through determination and grit.
There are two ski teams: the varsity Alpine ski team and the varsity Nordic ski team. Although the races they compete in differ, both teams consist of dedicated members who train hard and have built cohesive communities.
Varsity Alpine ski assistant coach Keith Carson described Alpine skiing as downhill racing and said the team participates in slalom and giant slalom events. According to US Ski & Snowboard, in slalom events, skiers execute a series of short turns through different courses, passing between gates or poles.
Varsity Nordic ski team head coach Richard Strock said Nordic skiing is cross-country, which means that skiers traverse relatively flat terrain. Nordic skiers race in two styles: classic, in which the skis move in a parallel motion, and freestyle or skate skiing, which uses a motion that resembles ice skating. According to Junior Noa Wilson [a member of the Nordic ski team], the Nordic ski team competes in classic races.
Strock said Nordic skiing requires some of the same skills as Alpine skiing, such as strength, balance and precision, but there is a greater focus on cardiovascular endurance.
According to Carson, the Alpine ski team strives to combine competition and recreation.
“I would say this team has a great balance. We have fun and work hard,” Carson said.
Senior and Alpine ski team captain Rohan Brown said that a supportive and helpful community is vital for people to reach their individual goals.
“Even though it’s an individual sport, it’s very important to have a team around you. You can help push each other to get better,” Brown said.
Varsity Alpine ski team head coach Mayra Hernandez said that the aid and support of the team give all participants, regardless of experience, an opportunity to develop their skills.
“Everyone has different levels of ski ability and different years of experience, but we recognize that we can all learn something from each other,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said, above all, the Alpine ski team focuses on honing skills through the help of teammates and team unity.
“Our most important values are strengthening our skills and being there for one another and supporting each other,” Hernandez said.
Although the Nordic ski team is smaller than its Alpine counterpart, it is just as meaningful to its athletes.
“It’s a bit of a well-kept secret. It’s just a lovely sport that a lot of people have not been exposed to,” Strock said.
According to Wilson, the smaller community of the Nordic ski team is very close and connected. Team members rely on each other to progress and improve in a demanding sport.
“Everyone on the team is just super friendly and supportive of each other. It [Nordic Ski] is hard to learn, so we all just help each other out,” Wilson said.
Strock said the team works to build both a welcoming environment and their individual and collective athletic skills.
“We try to foster a community that is very supportive. Nordic ski is a very tight-knit community filled by a lot of really dedicated athletes,” Strock said.
The Nordic ski team’s smaller size means it struggles to fill all degrees of experience. Strock said the team is currently trying to expand to have a greater degree of flexibility.
“Our hope is that we will continue to grow this program, so we have skiers at all levels,” Strock said.
Both teams allow people to develop life-long skills while building camaraderie and enjoying the outdoors through competition, according to Strock.
“I think having a chance to be exposed to the sport at the high school level is wonderful,” Strock said. “It’s something that people will appreciate having in their lives long after they leave Brookline High.”
