Students ski and sled down snow-covered hills each winter season, an activity they could do more often if given the opportunity to join a school ski club.

CHS should provide a school ski club for students to take part in. This program would organize transportation to a ski resort nearby like Whitetail or Liberty and give students an opportunity to exercise and ski with peers. With a ski club, students would get the chance to learn to ski or continue to improve their skiing abilities by challenging themselves on the slopes with their peers.

For many, winter is commonly looked upon as a time of depression. It is the season of exams, and students are at their peak of stress. Skiing gives students an opportunity to de-stress and take their minds off of their schoolwork. Having a ski program at CHS would give students ample time to relax during the winter season.

According to a 2009 University of New Hampshire study on skiing, winter brings people into a seasonal depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Skiing can help cure this condition by combining fresh outdoor air with physical activity as well as discreet exposure to sunshine.

Participating in an activity with a group of people who share the same interest is more beneficial than participating in an activity alone. Additionally, a ski club would give students the opportunity to branch out and make new friends who share the same interests. This ski club will reinforce the aspect of safety and comfort that students feel within the school community, as a classmate or chaperone will always be someone there to help someone when they encounter an obstacle.

According to freshman Ryan Needle, it is fun to ski with friends and, if one happens to fall, have someone there to help you.

Though a ski trip will be beneficial, it’s obvious that there will be challenges that come along with this event. There may be conflict in the process of organizing these ski trips but many other schools have made it possible.

According to freshman Ben Eisler, some of the challenges of starting a ski club would be getting approval from the school, making sure the skiing is safe and organizing all the trips.

Yearly, juniors and seniors attending CHS are given the opportunity to attend the school Quebec trip. This trip allows the students to ski and socialize. If CHS provided a ski club, this yearly experience could be experienced frequently and not reserved for upperclassmen.

CHS should consider all the benefits that skiing has to offer its students. The skiing community at CHS would grow if a ski club were an option. Students will be provided with a fun winter activity that is not available in the area locally.