Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Showcase

Media Credit: MCT Once you get the hang of snowboarding, you can "get big air," jump off the kicker" and "take some spills or wipes," as the sports "riders" say. Greg Ulon, 13, of Prior Lake, Minn., performs a "method" as he flies over his prone brother, Peter,11, at Buck Hill in Burnsville, Minn.

This past winter, senior David Deering was skiing at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minn. when he went off a 60 foot jump and missed the landing by about a foot and a half.

"I shattered my heel so I can't really run that much," Deering said. "I'm probably going to switch over to snowboarding … I can still ski but I want to try something new and after that jump my hands get sweaty just thinking about it."

Despite the accident, Deering summed up his love for the snow sport in one word: passion.

"It's a chance to be super, super free and there aren't really any rules," he said. "Basically, you're alone and you can take any challenge you want."

Deering is just one of many students on campus who live to ski and snowboard once winter rolls around and the resorts start opening their doors.

On Saturday, both Afton Alps in Hastings, Minn. and Granite Peak in Wausau plan to open the slopes to the general public to kick off the winter season, provided the weather is good.

Granite Peak office administrator Susan Czarnecki said the resort is the largest ski resort in the Midwest with 74 different runs; a 700 foot peak at the mountain top; eight lifts, including a six person chair and a mile long run.

According to the resort's Web site, www.skigranitepeak.com, ticket prices differ based on their purchase online, the day of the week and how long a person wants to ski. Granite Peak offers different specials on the site and once the regular season starts, it's open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Czarnecki said the resort caters to all types of customers and offers a wide variety of activities for beginners to expert skiers and snowboarders.

"We have very popular family weekends and sometimes live bands come and play that usually cater to the college crowds," she said. "We have three colleges around the area and a lot of high schools and are virtually two hours from everywhere in Wisconsin."

Continued...

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