February 16, 2010 E-MAIL PRINT

Friday nights under the lights

by Heather Burke/

High school skiing is a big commitment, but one with many rewards. (photo: Art LeBlanc)

High school skiing is a big commitment, but one with many rewards. (photo: Art LeBlanc)

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While most high school kids spend Friday nights ‘Facebooking’ or watching the latest flick at the cinema, my son is racing gates at Shawnee Peak. In fact, two or three nights a week he’s race training or competing on his Kennebunk High School ski team.

Ski racing as a high school sport requires serious commitment. Kids have to balance their homework, lug their usual big backpack to school each morning, plus a heavy ski and boot bag. When the bell rings, racers are boarding a bus, changing into their ski togs on the fly, then cramming homework while grabbing french fries in the base lodge between runs. It’s typical to get home after 9 p.m., having left the house at 6:30 a.m.that morning.

Of course, these kids are passionate about skiing; competing in an afterschool race league allows many of them to ski regularly when they might not otherwise. They are missing out on typical Friday night socializing with schoolmates, but they have chosen the mountains over hanging out at the mall or the movies.

But evening skiing isn’t all carved turns on corduroy. In fact, conditions are rarely ideal, lighting is spotty, and temperatures drop. The evening I chaperoned it poured rain, some kids donned trash bags to keep dry until their bib number was called. The following week the wind howled, and the race was almost put on hold. Without the warmth of the sun’s rays, it’s often very cold on the slopes at night. No matter, these young racers are out on the hill, waiting anxiously for their 60 seconds in the gates, and cheering for their teammates bashing the bamboo.

As Steve Stackhouse, Sunday River Ski Patrol said, “I just think that these kids work very hard in the worst conditions, stand out in the cold in thin spandex race-suits, endure long bus rides to everywhere. They deserve a lot of credit.”

A few core parents and coaches line the trail too, acting as gatekeepers and cheerleaders during races, trying to keep warm as they wait for their kids to take the gates. There are falls, frozen fingers and toes to watch out for, and long rides home –  often on dark roads covered in snow.

Bob Livermore of Kennebunk, Maine, does the lion’s share of driving for the high school team. Bob said, “We have them confined to our vehicles for over an hour each way. It’s fascinating to observe their interactions. The air is generally filled with high energy conversation about the day’s race, equipment, current events, and even strategies for classes at school or the pros/cons of various teachers. Despite their backgrounds (freshmen, senior, beginner, advanced) it really is a strong sense of support, team, and common purpose.”

I say props to the young ski racers; sure beats so-called reality on MTV. The juggling act of academics and alpine racing is teaching these kids more than how to take the high line in the slalom gates. They are learning to balance (literally and figuratively) the things that matter. In my son’s case: school and skiing. The laughs with his ski team buddies in the base lodge and on the long rides home are a bonus.

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