Ski fever is in the air! Among the various Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) in the Union Wednesday setting up tables to share their passions with other students were members of the Wyoming Alpine Ski Team, preparing in a corner of the basement.
Ari Sanroma stood by her table, positioning her ski poles against the ledge for passing students to see. Sanroma, president of this ski team, is eager for interested students to join.
“I grew up skiing. I never raced before college and I’m president of the team right now, so that’s a perfect example of anyone can join the team,” said Sanroma. “It’s not as scary as it looks like. We help each other get into it and break that fear barrier that there might be at the beginning.”
The team started with just two members: Megan Moss and John Marno.
High school state champion Moss was disappointed to find that there was no longer an alpine ski team at the University of Wyoming when she arrived. She and her previous coach, Marno, created the RSO to get an alpine ski team back and now, three years later, team membership has climbed to 10.
Currently the team is trying to become a Club Sport, which requires a minimum of 10 students. Sanroma feels that if they can keep a consistent number of 10 members or higher, they should become a Club Sport in no time.
“If you have a pair of skis, we recommend that you come join, try it out, come to one of our practices,” said Sanroma.
The team races for the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA), competing against Colorado and Utah schools such as Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Utah, and more.
The students have five race weekends in the months of January and February, with two races each weekend. They’ve raced in Winter Park and Crested Butte and next will be traveling to Casper, where they will be racing this weekend as well as Telluride and Powder Horn.
Unlike some racing teams where students pay for all the races at the beginning of the season, Wyoming Alpine Ski Team pays for races on a weekend-to-weekend basis for students to choose which races they can afford and which they can’t. Skiing isn’t the cheapest sport, but to Sanroma, it’s worth it.
“We get so trapped into school, work and day-to-day life. It’s nice to get out [in the mountains],” Sanroma said. “We love the speed and adrenaline. That’s what we crave.”
During the off-season, between Thanksgiving and Winter breaks, Students begin practicing with dry-land training (working on fitness and endurance in-doors) and skiing on Laramie’s nearby mountain range, Snowy Range Mountain Ski Area. During the race season, students practice during some days of the week when multiple students are available to practice at Snowy Range, since many of their weekends are dedicated to racing.
“I just love being able to get out of the urban setting and be in the mountains,” said Sanroma.
Students interested in Wyoming Alpine Ski Team can contact the group through UW Connect, accessible through the University’s web page in the RSO section, or on their Facebook page at Wyoming Alpine Ski Team.
