Ten students from La Mesa Junior High in Canyon Country recently participated in the fourth annual ski trip to Big Bear Mountain Ski Resort. The students were taught to ski by volunteers from the United States Adaptive Recreation Center.

On Feb. 3, the 10 students spent six hours skiing a variety of runs at Big Bear Mountain. Seven students learned to ski using traditional skis and three students skied in a sled type ski (bi-ski) which is pushed by a volunteer.

"All the students enjoyed the thrill of going up the mountain on the lifts and then skiing down the mountain, feeling the freedom of flight, wind rushing past them and snow brushing their faces," said Jeffrey S. Aronsky, a Hart Union School District business education teacher. "Some of the students even got to ski the half pipe and stand on top of the mountain see the view of the lake and valley below."
Aronsky said the students enjoyed the unique experience.

"As one student stated, ‘I had a blast with my instructor. I was taught more ways to ski. Thank you, USARC, for letting me participate in your skiing program,'" said Aronsky.