According to the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund, or NIMSEF, skiing and snowboarding is simply too expensive for many North Idaho families.

NIMSEF formed to help get as many of these kids as possible up on the mountain each winter to enjoy the fun, active sport of skiing and snowboarding.

NIMSEF rightfully points out that the benefits of introducing kids who might not normally get the opportunity to ski or snowboard goes beyond having fun on the mountain.

The non-profit organization believes that not only do alpine skiing and snowboarding provide kids with a lifelong activity, but also with a sense of belonging to an active community and a feeling of accomplishment and pride.

NIMSEF gives children more than just one day on the mountain. Each participating child gets a Schweitzer season pass, ski bus pass, equipment rental, and enrollment in Schweitzer’s 8-week Funatics all-day lesson program thanks to Schweitzer greatly discounting the cost for each participant.

Funatics is a multi-week ski or snowboard program for kids ages 7-12 where participants get to stay with the same instructor and group of students, explains Schweitzer marketing manager Dig Chrismer. “It’s a really good way for kids to set a foundation of skills and work to improve throughout the season. They often start out as beginners, and two years later they can be skiing black diamonds.”

NIMSEF board president Jeff Rouleau, a Schweitzer ski instructor, started the program in 2010 after getting the following eye-opening “thank you” letter from one of the many 4th graders in Bonner County that took advantage of an annual free ski and lesson day at Schweitzer: “Thank you for the best day of my life. I probably won’t see any of you ever again. So goodbye.”

All children ages 7-17 who qualify based on economic need and live in Bonner and Boundary counties can apply for the program, which has grown from 22 participants in the first year to 100 participants last season.

One of the great things about the program is that each kid is responsible for raising at least $50 toward their program by selling raffle tickets, which helps teach them a positive work ethic.

Donations are critical to keep these programs growing and will make a huge difference to local North Idaho kids.

Learn more about the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund, donate, or help a child apply at nimsef.com.

Originally published as “Sandpoint Group Helps Less Fortunate Kids Make Skiing & Snowboarding a Life-Long Passion” in the September-October 2021 issue.

Learn about Inland Northwest programs that provide free youth lift tickets:

• Ski Idaho 5th/6th Grade Passport Program
• Ski NW Rockies 5th Grade Ski Free Passport

Read more family and youth-related snow sports articles in OTO’s Family Winter Sports Guide archive.

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Outerwear coat and snow pants should be both waterproof and windproof—what’s typically referred to as being “weatherproof.” In addition, provide your kids with handwarmers; choose mittens rather than gloves, especially for younger kids; and secure the cuff or mittens or gloves either under or over jacket sleeves-cuffs. “Make sure children drink plenty of water…and use the bathroom right before lessons,” says Pardue. “Eat a good breakfast and have something warm during lunch…to heat up their little bodies.” 

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Green Circle—Tips for First-timers 

Pasino ‘s first recommendation is to start at the gear shop, whether renting or purchasing, and kindly refuse any friend’s offer to loan old equipment for a first trip to the ski hill. As she points out, “The dialed-in fit and safety components offered by reputable gear shops are crucial for a safe and fun first experience.” After that, the top recommendation for new skiers and riders is to invest in a lesson. Most resorts offer both group and individual lessons for youth and adults, and “getting started on the right foot makes a BIG difference” in terms of long-term enjoyment of the sport.  

Blue Square—Intermediate Advice 

The most important aspect of the transition from green circle to blue square and beyond comes down to equipment upgrades. Pasino explains that “Beginner equipment is designed to be soft and flexible to make low-speed turning easy,” and ski bindings are set to break away easily in the event of a fall. “Those settings no longer support the higher speed and more aggressive turns typically made on steeper blue runs.”  Once one’s equipment is ready for intermediate runs, Pasino recommends that skiers work on speed control through turn shape (not the beginner snowplow), focusing on achieving more control of the ski while requiring less effort by changing the turning radius. 

Black Diamond and Beyond—Transitioning to Advanced Terrain 

The most important tip for those transitioning to black diamond and tree skiing runs is to study the resort maps and “know the exits and don’t end up in situations without an out,” advises Pasino. Skiers and riders who don’t know the area well can accidently find themselves out of bounds or in dangerous terrain. Once you have planned a route, the next important skill to master has to do with ski tactics. As Pasino explains, “What you look at is what you ski at: Focus between trees [not at trees], and look several turns ahead.”  It’s also important to be physically ready for the demands of more intense runs. Pasino cautions to “Avoid being tense. Instead, be fluid as you move down the hill.”  As a final takeaway, she reminds skiers and boarders alike that it’s our feet that are attached: “The most efficiency and control comes through the lower joints, feet and ankles.” //

Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month 

It’s also worth looking ahead to January, which is Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month.  All local resorts will offer discounts on lessons, which could make an excellent Christmas gift for a prospective skier or rider. At 49 Degrees North, the resort is also offering a series of intermediate/advanced clinics, for women only. Each clinic runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and costs $59. The first in the series will be held on Dec. 16 and will be focused on “Starting Off the Season Strong” by building good habits that will lead to improvements over the entire season. //

Holly Weiler learned to ski the hard way: a 60-minute lesson from a friend’s mogul–racing stepfather. She writes the Hike of the Month for each issue.  

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