The University of Denver’s ski team is holding its 5th annual Ski With The Team day this Sunday at Winter Park in hopes to better promote the team to DU students and members of the community.
The event has been transformed this year, focusing more on raising awareness of the team instead of fundraising.
“We’ve been disappointed with low turnout before, and we’ve changed the event around to try to encourage people to come,” said Assistant Nordic Ski Coach Hennie Kashiwa.
Assistant Alpine Ski Coach Chris Berg said he hopes the event will draw attention to the 18-time national champions. “We’ve got a great team. We just want more people to get involved,” he said.
Taking place at Winter Park Resort, the event will begin and end with a scenic train ride on the Rio Grande Ski Train, in a car specially designed for group outings.
Senior team member and Norwegian native CK Falck-Pedersen has participated in the event before. “You do get kind of personal with all the participants,” she said. “I was a freshman when I first did it and I really got close to the people I was with.”
Falck-Pedersen thinks that the new design of the program will improve the experience. “More people participating mean more awareness of the team, more word of mouth,” she said.
She admits, though, that when it comes right down to it, the skiing is really what it’s all about.
“I think it’s most important for the guests,” she said. “It’s just what we’re supposed to be doing.”
At $200, the price is a significant drop from what has been asked in previous years.
“For your money you’ll get a lift ticket, breakfast on the train and lunch on the mountain, and refreshments throughout the day,” said Kashiwa.
“We’re not doing this to make money,” Berg emphasized, adding that the ticket price is tax deductable.
Most of the cost will be used to pay for the day’s activities and any leftover proceeds will go to directly benefit the DU Ski Team.
Organizers recommend getting your tickets soon, as spots are limited.
For more information and ticket inquiries contact Chris Berg at christopher.berg@du.edu or Hennie Kashiwa at henry.kashiwa@du.edu.
