by Paetyn Tatro, Becket Beat WRHS Student Intern
It won’t be long before snow arrives, and many of us look forward to strapping on a pair of skis to enjoy all the season has to offer. Alpine and Nordic (pictured above) are two different types of skiing, each well-suited to winter in the Berkshires and both provided at Wahconah High School. Alpine skiing is a form that focuses on downhill skiing where speed and agility are emphasized. Held in a time trial format, skiers race each other for the fastest time. While downhill might seem easy, the courses include jumps and obstacles like moguls (large bumps formed by snow), which make Alpine skiing a challenge but also lively and fun. In Nordic skiing, more commonly known as cross-country skiing, the skier uses their own energy, endurance and aerobic fitness to transport themselves over flatter terrain with gentle hills and curves that provide subtle ups and downs. When comparing the two types of skiing, Alpine can be more like a roller coaster ride, while Nordic is more like a cross-country run.
Wahconah students love the winter ski season, whether it is Alpine or Nordic skiing. When speaking with the Nordic ski coach, Jared Shannon, he stated that last year there were 41 students on the team, the largest turnout for the team in years. While Nordic does have a big turnout, it’s not the only type of skiing popular with Wahconah students and Becket residents.
Two sophomores from Becket, Matty Beatty and Nolan Raymer, both shared that they prefer Alpine over Nordic. When asked what they loved most about the sport Matty responded, “I love the feeling of flying down the mountain as fast as you can – it’s so crazy and really fun.” Similarly, Nolan said, “Definitely the speed feels awesome.” Both have been skiing since they were little and recommend that anybody interested try it out. Even if you have never skied before, it’s easy to learn and for students the team has been described as supportive and welcoming.
Both students and coaches love the teams and the sport. Mr. Shannon’s advice for newcomers and anybody interested in skiing is to “Give it a shot – most people who join love it. The team is like a second family!”
