Program at Iola Winter Sports Club
By Holly Neumann
Each winter, students from Iola-Scandinavia Elementary School try their skiing skills at the Iola Winter Sports Club (IWSC).
Former teachers Tom Anderson and Barb Kobs, along with current fifth-grade teacher Alan Bauer, were instrumental in making this happen for the first time more than 25 years ago.
“With February being heart health month, we would bring our students out here to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” said Kobs. “It started out with just the fifth graders coming in the morning and the sixth grade coming in the afternoons.”
The event has since turned into an all-day affair for most grade levels, with each class going on a different day.
Kobs said people are unaware the facilities are in Iola.
“People just don’t know about it,” she said. “This is one good way to get the word out. The kids cannot seem to get enough, and the health benefits are endless.”
Jenny Vater, a former youth ski instructor at the facility, volunteers her time to help organize the school ski days.
“I learned to ski in seventh grade during my physical education class, and I fell in love with it,” said Vater. “I remember those moments and I feel every kid should have that exposure and see if they like it.”
According to Vater, the IWSC has purchased enough skis to make it possible for classes of 50-60 students to ski at the facility on any given day.
“This is a hidden treasure here in Iola,” said Vater. “My goal is to get every student out here.”
After some instruction on how to put their skis on and the proper way to get up after a fall, one student asked, what happens if we get lost.
“If you stay on the trails, you won’t get lost,” said Bauer. “And if all else fails, hug a tree and scream.”
With that, the students were sent off to the trails.
Some barely made it out the door before they fell for the first time, while others took off like professionals.
“Katie (Rosenthal) fell when I was already up a hill,” said a giggly Brooklyn Berrens. “She was rolling all over the place, and it looked so funny.”
“I couldn’t even get back up,” said Rosenthal. “And Brooklyn didn’t even help me. She just stood there and laughed.”
Owen Wolberg thought the experience was great.
“Well, except the part where I crashed into a snow bank,” he said. “I was going really fast down the hill and I could not control it, and I crashed.”
For Brylee Jueds and McKenna Borchardt, this was their only skiing experience.
“It’s relaxing,” Jueds said. “And I got to see Owen wipe out five times, so that was pretty funny.”
“I have only skied once,” said Borchardt. “I think I have mastered it. This is something that I will do for the rest of my life.”
“Skiing is a life sport, something you can always do,” Vater said. “We live in Wisconsin. Why not enjoy the snow. You don’t have to be a superstar to ski. Anyone can do it.”
The IWSC offers approximately 12 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, with loops suitable for all skill levels and all ages.
A portion of the trails has lighting to make night skiing possible.
“We have this beautiful trail system here,” said Vater. “I always say that this place is a hidden treasure, and when people find out about it they are always amazed.”
Vater said the facility is run by volunteers who put in long hours to ensure everyone using the facilities has an enjoyable experience.
For more information about IWSC, visit iolawintersportsclub.org.