News

The Midwest Sport/Ski Council www.mnski.org, offers people with hearing impairment the opportunity to learn how to downhill ski and snowboard.  The Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Learn to Ski/Snowboard Program for beginning to intermediate skiers, promotes self-confidence, physical activity, and skill set development.

We need your help.  Last season we brought the joy of snow sports to a record 60 students.  Our next classes start Sunday, Jan 12, 2025, and run five consecutive weeks from 9-11am. 

The program takes place at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington.  Equipment & lift tickets are provided for students at minimal cost, and lift tickets are free for qualified instructors who have completed the mandatory training clinic. The people involved in this program donate their time for teaching and other assistance as needed; non-council people are also welcome. There are many rewards for program participants, including the students’ smiles as they discover that they too can enjoy the sport of skiing and snowboarding.  We do not require your attendance at all sessions.

The training program for new instructors consists of two clinics.  Certification is not required; participants are taught step-by-step methods in the art of teaching people to ski/snowboard.  In addition, these clinics will substantially develop your own skiing skills.  Anyone with intermediate or better ability may qualify as an instructor.

Depending on the student’s level, there is one instructor per student, or there may be up to four students with two instructors assigned to each group.  Interpreters will be available on the hill to provide assistance during the lessons.

People with rusty or beginner skiing skills are welcome in the program, and at the clinic. These folks can be used in other areas of the program while they improve their skills to the point that they are capable of instructing.

Your prompt response is greatly appreciated so we know our capacity for student enrollment.

Training dates will be determined once Hyland is fully opened.

Jerry Schuster

MSC President

952-888-0860

MSC DHH 2024-25 Instructors Flyer.pdf

Big news, Mt Bachelor is opening this Friday. This will be the earliest opening since 1998 thanks to over 40 inches of early season snow with more on the way.

Are you still on the fence for joining the MN Skihawk's Mt. Bachelor Trip January 25-Feb 1? You have until November 25th to register.

You can register on our web Site: https://www.mnskihawks.org/event-5762097

MSC is hosting a Meet'n Ski February 8, 2025, at Spirit Mountain Recreation Area in Duluth MN. Click here for more details how to register.  Contact Paul Benkufsky, Trip Leader at pb3942@hotmail.com with any questions.

The MSC will be holding Winter Carnival January 09-12, 2025, at Snowriver Mountain Resort in Wakefield MI.  Check out the trip flyer for all the details or click here to register. Specific rooming requests are considered but not guaranteed by contacting Paul Benkufsky, Trip Leader at pb3942@hotmail.com.

Everything you need in a versatile Rooftop Carry Box.  Great for skiing, hunting, fishing, and camping.  

• Enough storage for large families or groups on the go
• Storage capacity 18.5 cubic ft.  Dimensions: 89" X 36" X 12"
• All Fiberglass construction with smooth hard gel-coat finish (black)
• Weight 65 lbs.
• Made in USA by Packasport

Contact John at 612-423-4616 if interested 

As many of you already know, Fred Fox passed away at the age of 79 on September 28th, 2023.  He was one of the co-founders of the Ski Hawks.  Here is a link to his obituary: Obituary

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4th from 3-7 p.m. at his home at 6581 Upper 28th St. N., Oakdale, MN.

 

Hey everyone!  We're excited to announce that it's time to register to attend this year's Kick-Off party.  We're set for Fri. Oct. 6 at 6:00 p.m at Patrick McGovern's Pub in St. Paul.

Don't forget to register here before Tues. Oct. 3rd to be able to attend:

Register Here

Hope to see you there!

Leigh Nelson, a co-founder and visionary of Welch Village Ski Resort passed away earlier this month.  He was laid to rest this past Wednesday, June 21st.  We would like to express our condolences to the Nelson extended family and thank Leigh for his contributions to skiing in the Midwest and for the hospitality shown to the SkiHawks ad other MSSC clubs over the years.  

Wild Mountain published a nice tribute to Leigh on Facebook.  Here is the link.  Wild Mountain Tribute

The recruiting team for the Trollhaugen Ski Patrol (part of the National Ski Patrol) is trying to do some more active recruiting this year. Trollhaugen is a family owned and operated hill and they said they are very good to their volunteer patrollers. Some benefits include season passes for patrollers and their family or a person of their choosing, 6 guest passes a season, and discounts at the ski shop and restaurants/concessions. Typically OEC training starts in August (usually on Wednesday nights) and goes for ten weeks or so.  Candidates with emergency medical experience (RNs, EMTs, MDs, ect.) can do an accelerated course in 4 weeks.  Then on hill training is done to improve skiing/boarding skills and to take a toboggan down the hill. 

Here is additional information with email contact in the flyer if you're interested:

Patrol_8x11_2023.pdf

Troll Patrol benefits and expenses.docx