Favorite things about the Silver Valley: Lookout Pass Free Ski School
Lookout Pass Free Ski School Director Chris Nusz (bottom right) chats with the some of the school's volunteer instructors during a recent ski season.
Courtesy photo
MULLAN – For more than eight decades, the Lookout Pass Free Ski School has been teaching area youth the ins and outs necessary to hit the slopes.
Tammy Nusz and her husband, Chris, have been involved with the school for the past 22 years, including running the school for 20 years. The school is a nonprofit extension of Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area that runs entirely off donations and the efforts of volunteers.
Founded in 1942, the school has taught over 38,000 kids free of charge during its 83-year existence. The 9-week program runs each year from January to March, culminating with an awards ceremony and barbecue for the students.
There are levels to skiing and snowboarding. And trying to navigate the hills without proper training creates a safety risk for everyone on the mountain.
“We live in an amazing place with so many ski hills close by, that this program is a great way to get your kids started on a sport that will last them all their lives,” Nusz said. “We teach beginners all the way up to Expert 5.”
According to Nusz, the average turnout for the school is 250 students annually, which requires a healthy number of volunteers to ensure proper training and supervision for the students.
The school is governed by a small board of directors that meets a couple of times a year to go over the specifics for the coming year.
“We are always looking for volunteers to help,” Nusz said.
Nusz isn’t wrong. With the Silver Valley snugly nestled within a region brimming with ski hills, giving kids an opportunity to learn how to ski or snowboard at no cost to their families is invaluable.
“We work with Lookout Pass to help everyone have a great day on the hill,” Nusz said. “Most of all, nothing beats a child’s smile that learned a sport and is so happy to come back the next week. Free Ski School is a rarity in our country, and Shoshone County gets to support a rare gem.”
This weekend marks the final days of Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area’s ski season, but the Free Ski School will be back in January for its 84th season. For more information, visit www.skilookout.com.