The Peru Gazette

By Adele Douglas

 

I’m not a downhill skier, I believe my Dad tried to teach me when I was very young but all I remember was being scared and cold. On top of that it seems all so very overwhelming, the fancy equipment, the challenging lifts, and the large bustling ski hills where everyone else seems to know what they’re doing.

 

However, last winter my daughter Emily, then seven, said she’d be interested in learning to downhill ski.  We’d been crosscountry skiing a few times and she was getting the hang of that well enough so I thought she might as well give it a try.

 

I was vaguely aware of Beartown, but not sure where it was or what it offered.  Luckily Melanie Marr, who works with my husband at the Chamber of Commerce also works the grill at the Beartown ski lodge and she filled me in on all the details.  So last January with boots and skis rented from Viking Sports and a helmet purchased from Play it Again Sports we headed to Beartown (about a half hour drive from Peru, off Military Turnpike) for a lesson with Mike Mitsoglou.

 

The minute we walked into the lodge I felt welcome, the staff and fellow skiers are friendly and ready to help out.  Mike patiently helped Emily with her equipment and soon they were coming down the hill, Emily happily practicing her pizza (snowplow) and french fries (parallel).  After a few lessons she was skiing and managing the T-bar and Poma lift on her own, much to my disbelief and amazement.

 

I’ve taken a few lessons myself this year (in a vain attempt to keep up with Emily) and my experience has been just as positive.  Judy Booth is a great and patient teacher, nothing about the learning process has been overwhelming in the least.   Emily’s now joined the ski team where, under the very professional leadership of Mike Collin and Marcy Everleth, she’s being kept busy and honing her skills.  While I wait for her I occasionally ski Beartown’s crosscountry trails as well, at times meeting Emily at the top of the hill.

 

Beartown is small, friendly, close by, and inexpensive.  Overall it’s the perfect spot to learn to downhill ski or snowboard.  Thanks to everyone at Beartown a long winter is a little more enjoyable and I have a new and much more positive perspective on downhill skiing.

 

More information is available on their website, skibeartown.com, or you can call 561-3938 to speak with Mel or Debbie (Friday evenings, weekends, school holidays) about arranging lessons.