On Friday, December 27, Snow Trails Ski Resort hosted a ski camp for youth, ages 17 and under. Part of the training was timed slalom and giant slalom. A broad range of youth showed up before 9 a.m. to start training until four in the afternoon.
Some of the youth have raced before. Most, however have not. Along with some of the experienced was five-year-old Lily Papinaeu.
Lily has been skiing since she was two-and-a-half-years-old after her father taught her on the driveway at their home in Cleveland. “[Skiing] is just a family thing we do,” said Art Papinaeu.
According to her father, Lily competed in Colorado last year and finished fourth overall in her division. This year, she has already qualified for Gold Division in the six and under category at a race held in Colorado. Lily’s favorite skier, and one she hopes to emulate some day, is Lindsay Vonn who has won four overall World Cup championships in alpine downhill skiing.
“The Olympics are definitely in the question someday,” said her father.
Racing instructor and Possum Run Racing Club director Duffy Carto said he has been with the program since its origin. According to Carto, his philosophy reflects teaching good fundamental skiing techniques and having fun during the winter months.
“We have gone through five to six generations of kids in the last 30 years,” said Carto. Carto noted the group has featured some talent along the way. One of his trainees was a champion of the USSA Central Division which includes, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
“Skiers like Cindy Nelson and Lindsay Vonn came from hills not much bigger than this,” said Carto as he pointed out to the slopes of Snow Trails. “This is just a great way to spend winter,” he added.
Another young skier by the name of Tom Cummins weighed in on his experience with the Possum Run Racing Club. This 15-year-old has been skiing since he was three years old. During this time he has learned the importance of turning a love of skiing into a disciplined skill.
When asked if he was planning to pursue skiing further, he said that for him, skiing is a fun way to spend winter. “I just want to be a good skier and have fun with it. That’s all that matters.”
Snow Trails holds various races each weekend throughout the winter season. The Possum Run Racing Club run by Duffy Carto and Rod Staker holds evening training sessions each Tuesday and Wednesday. The training sessions are open to the public and free.
For more information, visit Snow Trails online, follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or call 419-774-9818.
